HISTORY 



SAGINAW COUNTY 



MICHIGAN; 



TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDU- 
CATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL HISTORY; 
PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES 
OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN, 



EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, ABORIGINES, FRENCH, 

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CONQUESTS, AND A GENERAL REVIEW 

OF ITS CIVIL, POLITICAL AND MILITARY HISTORY. 




ILLUSTRATED. 



CHICAGO: 

CHAS. C. CHAPMAN & CO. 
1881. 



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16244 







BLAKKLT, BROWN & MARSH, 
PRINTERS, 
'SS * '57 DEARBORN ST., CHICAGO. 



DONOHUE* HENNEBERRTf, 

BOOKBINDERS, 

lSo & 182 MONROE STREET., CHICAGO. 



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PREFACE, 



The period has passed away forever when the once philosophic 
sentence " A thousand years scarce serve to form a State 1 ' could he 
used with propriety. The same may now be said of history. The busy 
activities of our days, the march of progress, the wonderful advances 
of science and art, contribute to the realization of ideas, and crowd into 
a period oi fifty years ;i greater number of remarkable and important 
events than fifty decades of olden times in the Old World could offer to 
the chronicler. Therefore the compilation of history is not only justi- 
fiable, but also essentially necessary. Tt is the enduring record of years 
that can only through it be recalled, of men who will be honored 
by the American manhood of this and coming generations. 

This work is* devoted to the people of Saginaw county, with the 
exception of the first part, the history of Michigan. It is distinctively 
local, and as such must he considered a magnificent record of an 
enterprising people. The work of the American Pioneers of the 
county extends over only half a century. Within that time they have 
raised it from its primitive condition to the rank of one of the first 
divisions oi" the State — cultivated its wild lands, built its villages and 
towns, and brought into existence two beautiful cities, of which the 
Union may be proud. They transmuted the valley marsh into firm 
earth, and decorated the river banks with factories — each a hive of 
human industry, a monument to earnest and well directed labor. It is 
difficult to point out precisely the names of those who have contributed 
most to this result: all share in the prosperity of the county, and take 
a special pride in its advancement; each one has experienced the 
luxury of doing good, and feels that life is not now a mere shadow or 
a dream. The anxieties and alarms attendant on the life of the pio- 
neers have been changed to certainties and happy greetings. Those 
who saw the primeval forest waving over the land, lived on through 
the days of its destruction to see the clearings covered with the houses 
of merchants and manufacturers, or the tields and homes of a pros- 
perous people. They wear the honors which justly belong to them; 
while those who died are riot forgotten in their long sleep. They 
beheld the budding desires of younger days expand into the flower, 
and, seeing, went to the undiscovered land beyond the grave, leaving 
their memories and their acts to he carried down the stream of time. 

In these pages an effort has been made to treat the history of the 
county in a lull and impartial manner. Doubtless a few inaccuracies 
may have crept in; hut such must he attributed to other causes than 
the carelessness of the compilers. In regard to the pages devoted to 
personal history, the publishers expended a large sum of money in 
having each biographical sketch submitted to him of whom it was 



287 



\ 



i 



PREFACE. 



written, for addition, abridgment or correction; so that if errors occur 
in this section of the work the party immediately concerned must 
attach all blame to himself. It will be evident throughout that ;the 
writer of the county history as well as the gentlemen who collated the 
personal sketches, have realized the simple fact of undeserved praise 
being disguised satire. In some instances this realization may have 
led to a too brief notice of many highly deserving men; but where 
praise was manifestly due it is given regardless of ideal character. 

The plan of the work is specially adapted to a great record book. 
All things pertaining in general to the State are dealt with in the in- 
troductory pages; the county history is carried down from the first 
Otchipwe invasion of the V alley, and treats very fairly every subject 
of general interest to the people; so with the two cities, they have been 
very liberally sketched, while each township has just sufficient notice 
given it to render its history up to the present time a most valuable 
heirloom for the future. 

The cooperation extended to the writers was certainly not so general 
as it should have been. Conceding that the business interests claim 
almost all the attention of these citizens, whose connection with the 
county extends over many years, and who are fully qualified to be 
authority on many historical matters, they should not forget that other 
duties attach to their positions, nor neglect to contribute their knowl- 
edge of the past to pages intended for the instruction of the present 
and future. 

Of the number who assisted in rendering the labors of the writers 
comparatively light, are Geo. F. Lewis, Col. C. V. DeLand, Edward 
Cowles, Dr. M. C. T. Plessner, W. R. McCormick, Dan P. Foote, 
Mrs. Eleazer Jewett and Mrs. N. D. Lee. To Charles Doughty, 
United States Land Register; Frederick B. Sweet, County Clerk; 
Thos. M. Busby, Deputy Co. Clerk; Alex. Ferguson, Co. Treasurer; 
and A. Zwerk, Registrar of Deeds, our thanks are offered for the 
manner in which the valuable and well-kept records of their offices 
were placed at our disposal, as well as for official courtesies extended 
on every occasion. Prof. M. A. Leeson,the historian, and his assistant, 
Damon Clarke, deserve special mention for the faithful and energetic 
labor put forth in the writing and compilation of this work. 

In this, as in other counties, we are conscious that our promises to 
the people have been honorably observed in every respect. We have 
brought out into sunlight many gems of local history which were sleep- 
ing previously in oblivion; we have snatched fugitive thoughts from 
the brink of their tombs; brought before the people, as a mirror, men 
and events long since passed away, and succeeded beyond measure in 
doing justice to Father Time in his half century's transactions with the 
settlers of the Saginaw, as well as to the settlers themselves, and the 
people of the present. Conscious o£,2jll this, we ask only a full, earnest, 
and impartial review of all the 'chapters of this work, before your 
criticism. 

Chicago, August, 1881. C. C. Chapman & Co. 



CONTENTS. 



HISTORY OF JIIC'HKwAX. 



Mound-Builders 17 

Large ClUes 20 

Indians 21 

Manners and Customs 22 

European Possession '24 

Detroit 27 

N;iili uial Policies 80 

Ordinance of 1787 34 

French ..nd Indian War 39 

.Massacre at Michillmackinae 41 

Siege of Detroit 44 

American Kevolution 46 

Tecumseb 50 

Okemos 50 

Hull's Surrender 57 

Perry's Victory 58 

Close of the War GO 

Political 62 

Administration of Gen. Cass 65 

" " Geo. B. Porter 74 

The "Toledo War." 76 

Administration of Gov . Horner 79 

Michigan as a state 80 

Administrations of the State Governors. . 82 

War of the Rebellion 88 

Public School System 88 



State University 89 

State Normal School 90 

Agricultural College 90 

Other Colleges 92 

Charitable Institutions 94 

State Public School 94 

State Reform School 95 

Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and 

the Blind 96 

Asylum for the Insane, at Kalamazoo 96 

'• " " •' " Pontiac 97 

Penal Institutions 97 

State Agricultural Society us 

Pomological Society 98 

State Fisheries ... 98 

state Firemen's Association 99 

state Board of Public Health 99 

siatc Land Office 100 

state Library 101 

Banks 101 

Geology 107 

Newspapers 108 

Population 108 

state Officers 10s 

Topography 119 

A Retrospect ill 



HISTORY OF SAftHfAW COUXTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE INDIANS 115 

Early Explorers lie 

Battle of Skull Island. 117 

Winnebago War 1 20 

Legion of the Lone Tree 121 
Indian Payment Day in 

old Times 122 

Sentence and Execu- 
tion 123 

The White Captives... 124 
o - ke -maw- ke- ke-tn 

and the Factors 125 

Wah-be-man-i-to 120 

Kish-kau-ko and the 

Soldiers 128 

The Indian Murderer.. 129 
O-ke-mos, or O-ki-nio.. 129 

Neh-way-go 129 

Other Indians 134 

A Summer visit to the 

Indian Camp 138 

The Emigrants 139 

CHAPTER II. 

Till: TREATIES WITH 

THE SAGINAWS 141 

Treaty of Detroit 111 

Thirst Dance Before 

the Treaty 111 

The Dog Feast 14:; 

Treaty of Saginaw 144 

Second Treaty with 

the Saglnaws 155 

Treaty or 1838 166 

Treaty of 1855.... 166 

Schoolcraft's Trickery. 157 

CHAPTER III. 

AFTER THE TREATY.. 15S 
The Garrison of Fort 
Saginaw 164 



The American Fur Co.. 165 
Public Economy Revo- 
lutionized 166 

Couriers des Bois 170 

CHAPTER IV. 
PIONEER SOCIETY OF 
THE SAGINAW VAL- 
LEY 172 

First Annual Meeting. 173 
Reminiscences by Hon. 

W. R. McConnick.. . 180 
Sketch of Capt.8warth- 

out 192 

Records,Mementos,etc. 199 

The Pioneers of the 

Sas'inaw jos 

The Land-Buyers Jl4 

A Retrospect 210 

CHAPTER V. 
GERMAN SETTLE- 
MENT 318 

CHAPTER VI. 
SKETCHES OF II I S- 

TORY 231 

Era of Territorial 

Roads 231 

Early Milling 233 

Fust Ferry 234 

First Tilings 234 

Black Hawk War 235 

Store Prices In 1831-2. . 230 

Season of Sickness 236 

Reign of small-pox.... 237 

Tornado 243 

Dies [nfaustus 243 

The Big snow 244 

a Meteor 215 

The comet, 24.-, 

Eclipse of the Moon. . . 240 
Wolf-Slayers of Sagi- 
naw 246 



Clearing the River 24S 

Frozen to Death 24s 

Forest Fires 248 

First Celebration in the 

Valley 249 

Celebration of the Cen- 
tennial 250 

First Happenings In 

the county 255 

The Local Fishermen. . 200 
The Surrogugeon Court 262 
The Lawyer and the 

Minister 226 

Reminiscence of 1845. . . 263 

The Doctor's Man 204 

A Bear story 204 

A si out Old Farmer. . . . 20r» 
'Squire Co nning's 

Mouth 2Gfi 

Making a Level 260 

A I '.ad Jury 266 

A Big Tomato 267 

Pro m Sa g Inaw to 

" Masho's" House. . . 207 

School Sleigh-Ride 267 

The Tramp of 1SS0 26S 

A Trader on the Mexi- 

ea 11 War 268 

A Sleigh-Ride in 1854.. 269. 
The Indian's Whisky 

Bottle 269 

CHAFFER VII. 
SCIENTIFIC 271' 

Geological 270 

The Flora of the Coun- 
ty 273 

Zoological '-'7:'. 

Birds 274 

Mammalia 

Archaeology 

Physical Characteris- 
tics 287 



CONTENTS. 



Tnb Water Courses ... 288 

Sagnnaw Valley 290 

\CHAPTER VIII. 



300 
301 

302 
302 
302 

303 
306 
307 
307 
308 

310 
310 

313 
314 
315 



ORGAiNIC 

Saginaw Co. Boundar- 
ies iai 1622 

Locating the Co. Seat.. 

Saginaw Township Or- 
ganized 

Change of Boundary.. 

Organization of the Co. 

Early Record of super- 
visors' Court 

The Little Proposition 

Municipal Brieflets ... 

Town ,hip Organization 

Townships of the Past. 

County commissioners 
1835^2 

Supervisors 1842-60.... 

Present Board of Su- 
pervisors 

The county Buildings. 

uo. Officers, 1835-81 . . . 

CHAPTER IX. 
THE COURTS AND THE 
BAR 317 

CHAPTER X. 
POLITICAL 322 

Election Returns 327 

CHAPTER XI. 

THE CONQUERERS OF 

REBELLION 338 

Historical Brieflets 341 

East Saginaw Light; 

Guards 342 

The Hoyt Light Guards 344 
Military Resources of 

the County in 1862. . . 347 

Recruiting iu 1863 347 

Military Organization 

in 1864 • :;h 

Close of the Drama 348 



Regimental Histories 349-379 
The Soldiers and Sail- 
ors of the County 379 

Second Reunion 38o 

CHAPTER XII. 
LUMBER INDUSTRY... 3S2 

The Emerson Mill 383 

Saw Mills of the Sagi- 
naw and Tributaries 

in 1853 385 

Milling Interests in '57. 388 

Statistics Of 1863-60. ... 389 

Summary 390 

statistics of 1880 391 

Logs 392,394 

Recapitulation 393 

Shingles 395 

Staves 305 

Oak and Square Tim- 
ber ». . 396 

Commercial History... 396 
The Region of Illimita- 
ble Possibilities 404 

Life in the Lumber 

Woods 408 

CHAPTER XIII. 

SALT MANUFACTURE. 410 

The Governed Govern. 411 

Organization of the 

East Saginaw Salt 

Manufacturing Co... 412 

First Salt Well 412 

Subsequent E n ter- 

prises 413 

Statistics for 1865 414 

Statistics for 1870 415 

Statistics forl877 8.... 416 

Summary .418 

The Salt Wells of the 
Vallev. Methods of 
Manufacture, Etc.. lis 439 
CHAPTER XIV. 

AGRICULTURAL 440 

Saginaw Agricultural 
Society ■.. 443 



First County Fair 

Saginaw Institute 

CHAPTER XV. 

RAILROADS AND NAV 

IOATTON 

Railroads 

Navigation 



444 
444 



445 
445 
451 



CHAPTER XVL 
MISCELLANEOUS 

County Finances and 
Statistics 

Progress as Marked by 
Valuation 

Thirty Years' Taxes.. 

Receipts and Expendi- 
tures 

Land Under Cultivation 
and Crops 

Population 

Indians 

School Census 

Marriage Record 

Birth and Death Statis- 
tics 

CHAPTER XVII. 

THE COUNTY PRESS.. 

Saginaw Journal 

The North Star 

Saginaw Enterprise. . . 
Saginaw Republican. . . 

Saginaw Herald 

The courier 

Evening Express 

Saginaw Valley News 

Saginawiau 

Saginaw Zeitung 

Tagl i c h e Saginaw 

Abend Zeitung 

Chesaning Papers 

Oakley Cyclone 

St. Charles Papers 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

CHRONOLOGY 474 



-if,; 1 , 
453 



453 
455 



456 

457 
458 
458 
459 



461 
463 
463 
464 
464 
465 
466 
467 
468 
46S 
470 

471 
471 
472 

47:; 



CITY AMD TOWMSH1P HISTORIES. AXD BIOGRAPHIES. 



City of East Saginaw 493 

Saginaw Township 591 

Saginaw City 596 

Albee 715 

Birch Run 723 

Blumfield 734 

Brady 739 

Brant 751 

Bridgeport 758 

Buena Vista 772 



Map of Saginaw County. 14 & 15 

Hieroglyphics of the 
Mound-Builders 19 

La Salle Landing at the 
Mouth of St. Joseph River 25 

Indians Attacking Fron- 
tiersmen 31 

Gen. George Rogers Clark. 37 



Barker, Rev. H. A 257 

Barter, John 693 

Benjamin, D. E 107 

Bow, Dennis 311 

Chapman, George W 307 

Chapman, Wellington 431 

Cook, Lilly 345 

Darling, James 712 



Carrollton 786 

Chapin 791 

Chesaning 795 

Frankenmuth 835 

Fremont 846 

.lames I 849 

.Tonesfleld 851 

Kochville 853 

Lakefleld 863 

Maple Grove 865 

IMiUSTRATIOMS. 

Gen. Arthur St. Clair 43 

Trapping 40 

Tecumseh 55 

Pontiac 61 

Hunting Prairie Wolves In 

an Early Day 67 

Eastern Asylum tor the In- 
sane a t Pontiac 73 

PORTRAITS. 

Darling, Mrs. Harriet 713 

Holmes, All red 239 

Jerome, Hon. David H.... 131 

Leidlein, Michael 363 

Miller, Arnold \V 293 

Nortliwood, -1 ohn 877 

O'Donnell, Edward is.-. 






Marion 885 

Richland 887 

Spalding 896 

St. Charles 901 

swan Creek 915 

Taymouth 917 

Tliomastown 938 

Tlttabawassee 944 

Zilwaukee 957 



State Public School, at 

Coldwater 81 

The Capitol, at Lansing. . . 91 
University of Michigan. .. 102-3 

Present court House 114 

Saginaw City in issi on 



O'Donnell, John 513 

Potter, Chandler E 149 

J.'oeser. William 911 

Savage, Isaac 275 

Shattuck. Samuel 203 

Smith, William 811 

Spaeth, John 221 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



Michigan! If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you, in 
Michigan. Every visitor at St. Paul's church, London, is over- 
awed with the magnificence of that structure, the work of Sir Chris- 
topher Wren. He wants to know where the remains of Wren are 
now; in the crypt of the church they lie, where the following is 
engraved upon the headstone: Si monumentum requiris, circum- 
spice, — If you seek a monument [of Wren], look around [;uid behold 
the work of his brain in this mighty building]. The State of Mich- 
igan has appropriately adopted for her motto this expression, with 
a slight alteration, thus: Si queer is penin.su Jam amarnam, cir- 
cum.spice, — Ifyou seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you. And 
indeed Michigan may as justly feel proud of its resources as Great 
Britain, of St. Paul's church, — yea, and infinitely more. What 
with her substantial foundation in agriculture throughout the 
southern counties, in horticulture throughout the lower peninsula, 
and especially the fruit belt along her western boundary, in piner- 
ies in the central portion of the State, and with her crown of iron 
and copper in the upper peninsula, tipped with silver, she stands 
the real queen of the utilitarian world. 

It is a pleasure to write the history of such a State. Contrast 
this pleasant task with writing and studying the histories of States 
and empires which we have been taught to ponder and revere from 
our youth up, histories of European countries cobwebbed with 
intrigue, blackened with iniquity and saturated with blood. What 
a standing, practical reproof Michigan is to all Europe! and what 
a happy future she has before her, even as compared with all her 
sister States! 

Now let's to our chosen task, and say first a few words concern- 
ing the prehistoric races, observing, by the way, that the name 
" Michigan " is said to be derived from the Indian Mitchi-sawg- 
yegan, a great lake. 

MOUND-BUILDERS. 

The numerous and well-authenticated accounts of antiquities 
found in various parts of our country clearly demonstrate that a 
people civilized, and even highly cultivated, occupied the broad sur- 
face of our continent before its possession by the present Indians; 

2 



18 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

but the date of their rule of the Western World is so remote that 
all traces of their history, their progress and^ decay, lie buried in 
deepest obscurity. Nature, at the time the first Europeans came, 
had asserted her original dominion over the earth; the forests were 
all in their full luxuriance, the growth of many centuries; and 
naught existed to point out who and what they were who formerly 
lived, and loved, and labored, and died, on the continent of America. 
This ore-historic race is known as the Mound-Builders, from the 
numerous large mounds of earth- works left by them. The remains 
of the works of this people form the most interesting class of 
antiquities discovered in the United States. Their character can 
be but partially gleaned from the internal evidences and the 
peculiarities of the only remains left, the mounds. They consist 
of remains of what were apparently villages, altars, temples, idols, 
cemeteries, monuments, camps, fortifications, pleasure grounds, etc., 
etc. Their habitations must have been tents, structures of wood, 
or other perishable material; otherwise their remains would be 
numerous. If the Mound-Builders were not the ancestors of the 
Indians, who were they'^ The oblivion which has closed over them 
is so complete that only conjecture can be given in answer to the 
question. Those who do not believe in the common parentage of 
mankind contend that they were an indigenous race of the West- 
ern hemisphere; others, with more plausibility, think they came 
from the East, and imagine they can see coincidences in the religion 
of the Hindoos and Southern Tartars and the supposed theology of 
the Mound-Builders. They were, no doubt, idolators, and it has 
been conjectured that the sun was the object of their adoration. The 
mounds were generally built in a situation affording a view of the 
rising sun; when enclosed in walls their gateways were toward the 
east; the caves in which their dead were occasionally buried always 
opened in the same direction; whenever a mound was partially 
enclosed by a semi-circular pavement, it was on the east side; when 
bodies were buried in graves, as was frequently the case, they were 
laid in a direction east and west; and, finally, medals have been 
found representing the sun and his rays of light. 

At what period they came to this country is likewise a matter of 
speculation. From the comparatively rude state of the arts among 
them, it has been inferred that the time was very remote. Their 
axes were of stone. Their raiment, judging from fragments which 
have been discovered, consisted of the bark of trees, interwoven 
with feathers; and their military works were such as a people 
would erect who had just passed to the pastoral state of society 
from that dependent alone upon hunting and fishing. 

The mounds and other ancient earth-works constructed by this 
people are far more abundant than generally supposed, from the fact 
that while some are quite large, the greater part of them are small 
and inconspicuous. Along nearly all our water courses that are 
large enough to be navigated with a canoe, the mounds are almost 
invariably found, covering the base points and headlands of the 



HISTORY <>F MICHIGAN. 



19 



bluffs which border tbe narrower valleys; so that when one finds 
himself in such positions as to command the grandest views for river 
scenery, he may almost always discover that he is standing upon, 
or in close proximity to, some one or more of these traces of the 
labors of an ancient people. 

The Mound-Builder was an early pioneer in Michigan. He was 
the first miner in the upper peninsula. How he worked we do not 
know, but he went deep down into the copper ore and dug and 
raised vast quantities, and probably transported it, but just how or 
where, we cannot say. The ancient mining at Isle Royale, in Lake 
Superior, has excited amazement. The pits are from 10 to 20 feet 
in diameter, from 20 to 60 feet in depth, and are scattered through- 
out the island. They follow the richest veins of ore. Quantities 
of stone hammers and mauls weighing from 10 to 30 pounds have 



c O^ 



V At a k • H- 



eA if O P 




HIEROGLYPHICS OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 



been found, some broken from use and some in good condition. 
Copper chisels, knives and arrowheads have been discovered. The 
copper tools have been hardened by fire. Working out the ore was 
doubtless done by heating and pouring on water, — a very tedious 
process; and yet it is said that, although 200 men in their rude way 
could not accomplish any more work than two skilled miners at the 
present day, yet at one point alone on Isle Royale the labor per- 
formed exceeds that of one of the oldest mines on the south shore, 
operated by a large force for more than 30 years. Since these 
ancient pits were opened, forests have grown up and fallen, and 
trees 400 years old stand around them to-day. 

Mounds have been discovered on the Detroit river, at the head 
of the St. Clair, the Black, the Rouge, on the Grand, at the foot of 



20 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Lake Huron, and in many other portions of the State. Those at 
the head of the St. Clair were discovered by Mr. Oilman, in 1872, 
and are said to be very remarkable. 

LARGE CITIES. 

Mr. Brecken ridge, who examined the antiquities of the Western 
country in 1817, speaking of the mounds in the American Bottom, 
says: " The great number and extremely large size of some of them 
may be regarded as furnishing, with other circumstances, evidences 
of their antiquity. I have sometimes been induced to think that at 
the period when they were constructed there was a population here 
as numerous as that which once animated the borders of the Nile 
or Euphrates, or of Mexico. The most numerous, as well as con- 
siderable, of these remains are found in precisely those parts of the 
country where the traces of a numerous population might be looked 
for, namely, from the mouth of the Ohio on the east side of the 
Mississippi to the Illinois river, and on the west from the St. 
Francis to the Missouri. I am perfectly satisfied that cities similar 
to those of ancient Mexico, of several hundred thousand souls, have 
existed in this country." 

It must be admitted that whatever the uses of these mounds — 
whether as dwellings or burial places— these silent monuments were 
built, and the race who built them vanished from the face of the 
earth, ages before the Indians occupied the land, but their date 
must probably forever baffle human skill and ingenuity. 

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the places of sepulture 
raised by the Mound-Builders from the more modern graves of the 
Indians. The tombs of the former were in general larger than 
those of the latter, and were used as receptacles for a greater number 
of bodies, and contained relics of art, evincing a higher degree of 
civilization than that attained by the Indians. The ancient earth- 
works of the Mound-Builders have occasionally been appropriated 
as burial places by the Indians, but the skeletons of the latter may 
be distinguished from the osteological remains of the former by 
their greater stature. 

What finally became of the Mound-Builders is another query 
which has been extensively discussed. The fact that their works 
extend into Mexico and Peru has induced the belief that it was their 
posterity that dwelt in these countries when they were first visited 
by the Spaniards. The Mexican and Peruvian works, with the 
exception of their greater magnitude, are similar. Relics common 
to all of them have been occasionally found, and it is believed that 
the religious uses which they subserved were the same. If, indeed, 
the Mexicans and Peruvians were the progeny of the more ancient 
Mound-Builders, Spanish rapacity for gold was the cause of their 
overthrow and final extermination. 

A thousand other queries naturally arise respecting these nations 
which now repose under the ground, but the most searching investi- 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 21 

gation can give ns only vague speculations for answers. No histo- 
rian has preserved the names of their mighty chieftains, or given 
an account of their exploits, and even tradition is silent respecting 
them . 

Following the Mound-Builders as inhabitants of North America, 
were, as it is supposed, the people who reared the magnificent cities, 
the ruins of which are found in Central America. This people was 
far more civilized and advanced in the arts than were the Mound- 
Builders. The cities built by them, judging from the ruins of 
broken columns, fallen arches and crumbling walls of temples, 
palaces and pyramids, which in some places for miles bestrew the 
ground, must have been of great extent, magnificent and very pop- 
ulous. AVhen we consider the vast period of time necessary to erect 
such colossal structures, and, again, the time required to reduce 
them to their present ruined state, we can conceive something of 
their antiquity. These cities must have been old when many of 
the ancient cities of the Orient were being built. 

INDIANS. 

The third race inhabiting North America, distinct from the 
former two in every particular, is the present Indians. They were, 
when visited by the early discoverers, without cultivation, refine- 
ment or literature, and far behind the Mound-Builders in the knowl- 
edge of the arts. The question of their origin has long interested 
archaeologists, and is the most difficult they have been called upon 
to answer. Of their predecessors the Indian tribes knew nothing; 
they even had no traditions respecting them. It is quite certain 
that they were the successors of a race which had entirely passed 
away ages before the discovery of the New "World. One hypothesis 
is that the American Indians are an original race indigenous to the 
Western hemisphere. Those who entertain this view think their 
peculiarities of physical structure preclude the possibility of a com- 
mon parentage with the rest of mankind. Prominent among those 
distinctive traits is the hair, which in the red man is round, in the 
white man oval, and in the black man flat. 

A more common supposition, however, is that they are a deriva- 
tive race, and sprang from one or more of the ancient peoples of 
Asia. In the absence of all authentic history, and when even 
tradition is wanting, any attempt to point out the particular location 
of their origin must prove unsatisfactory. Though the exact place 
of origin may never be known, yet the striking coincidents of 
physical organization between the Oriental type of mankind and 
the Indians point unmistakably to some part of Asia as the place 
whence they emigrated, which was originally peopled to a great 
extent by the children of Shem. In this connection it has been 
claimed that the meeting of the Europeans, Indians and Africans 
on the continent of America, is the fulfillment of a prophecy as 
recorded in Genesis ix. 27: "God shall enlarge Japheth, and he 
shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant." 



22 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Assuming the theory to be true that the Indian tribes are of 
Shemitic origin, they were met on this continent in the fifteenth 
century by the Japhetic race, after tlie two stocks had passed around 
the globe by directly different routes. A few years afterward the 
Hamitic branch of the human family was brought from the coast 
of Africa. During the occupancy of the continent by the three 
distinct races, the children of Japheth have grown and prospered, 
while the called and not voluntary sons of Ham have endured a 
servitude in the wider stretching valleys of the tents of Shem. 

When Christopher Columbus had finally succeeded in demon- 
strating the truth of his theory, that by sailing westward from 
Europe land would be discovered, landing on the Island of Ber- 
muda he supposed he had reached the East Indies. This was an 
error, but it led to the adoption of the name of "Indians" for the 
inhabitants of the island and the main land of America, by which 
name the red men of America have ever since been known. 

Of the several great branches of North American Indians the 
only ones entitled to consideration in Michigan history are the 
Algonquins and Iroquois. At the time of the discovery of America 
the former occupied the Atlantic seaboard, while the home of the 
Iroquois was as an island in this vast area of Algonquin popula- 
tion. The latter great nation spread over a vast territory, and 
various tribes of Algonquin lineage sprung up over the country, 
adopting, in time, distinct tribal customs and laws. An almost 
continuous warfare was carried on between tribes; but later, on the 
entrance of the white man into their beloved homes, every foot of 
territory was fiercely disputed by the confederacy of many neigh- 
boring tribes. The Algonquins formed the most extensive alliance 
to resist the encroachment of the whites, especially the English. 
Such was the nature of King Philip's war. This king, with his 
Algonquin braves, spread terror and desolation throughout New 
England. With the Algonquins as the controlling spirit, a con- 
federacy of continental proportions was the result, embracing in its 
alliance the tribes of every name and lineage from the Northern 
Jakes to the gulf. Pontiac, having breathed into them his impla- 
cable hate of the English intruders, ordered the conflict to com- 
mence^ and all the British colonies trembled before the desolating 
fury of Indian vengeance. 

The " Saghinan " (spelled variously) or Saginaw country com- 
prised most of the eastern portion of the southern peninsula indef- 
initely. The village of the " Hurons" was probably near Detroit. 
The term " Huron " is derived from the French hure, a wild boar, 
and was applied to this tribe of Indians on account- of the bristly 
appearance of their hair. These Indians called themselves " Ouen- 
dats," as the French spelled the name, or "Wyandots," as is the 
modern orthography. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The art of hunting not only supplied the Indian with food, but, 
like that of war, was a means of gratifying his love of distinction. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 23 

The male children, as soon as they acquired sufficient age and 
strength, were furnished with a bow and arrow and taught to shoot 
birds and other small game. Success in killing large quadrupeds 
required years of careful study and practice, and the art was as 
sedulously inculcated in the minds of the- rising generation as are 
the elements of reading, writing and arithmetic in the common 
schools of civilized communities. The mazes of the forest and the 
dense, tall grass of the prairies were the best fields for the exercise 
of the hunter's skill. No feet could be impressed in the yielding 
soil but that the tracks were the objects of the most searching 
scrutiny, and revealed at a ghmce the animal that made them, the 
direction it was pursuing, and the time that had elapsed since it 
had passed. In a forest country he selected the valleys, because 
they were most frequently the resort of game. The most easily 
taken, perhaps, of all the animals of the chase was the deer. It is 
endowed with a curiosity which prompts it to stop in its flight and 
look back at the approaching hunter, who always avails himself of 
this opportunity to let fly the fatal arrow. 

Their general councils were composed of the chiefs and old men. 
When in council, they usually sat in concentric circles around the 
speaker, and each individual, notwithstanding the fiery passions 
that rankled within, preserved an exterior as immovable as if cast 
in bronze. Before commencing business a person appeared with 
the sacred pipe, and another with fire to kindle it. After being 
lighted, it was first presented to heaven, secondly to the earth, 
thirdly to the presiding spirit, and lastly to the several councilors, 
each of whom took a whiff. These formalities were observed with 
as close exactness as State etiquette in civilized courts. 

The dwellings of the Indians were of the simplest and rudest 
character. On some pleasant spot by the bank of a river, or near 
an ever-running spring, they raised their groups of wigwams, con- 
structed of the bark of trees, and easily taken down and removed 
to another spot. The dwelling-places of the chiefs were sometimes 
more spacious, and constructed with greater care, but of the same 
materials. Skins taken in the chase served them for repose. 
Though principally dependent upon hunting and fishing, the un- 
certain supply from those sources led them to cultivate small 
patches of corn. Every family did everything necessary within 
itself, commerce, or an interchange of articles, being almost unknown 
to them. In cases of dispute and dissension, each Indian relied 
upon himself for retaliation. Blood for blood was the rule, and 
the relatives of the slain man were bound to obtain bloody revenge 
for his death. This principle gave rise, as a matter of course, to in- 
numerable and bitter feuds, and wars of extermination where such 
were possible. War, indeed, rather than peace, was the Indian's 
glory and delight,— war, not conducted as in civilization, but war 
where individual skill, endurance, gallantry and cruelty were prime 
requisites. For such a purpose as revenge the Indian would make 
great sacrifices, and display a patience and perseverance truly heroic; 



24 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

bat when the excitement was over, he sank back into a listless, un- 
occupied, well-nigh useless savage. During the intervals of his 
more exciting pursuits, the Indian employed his time in decorating 
his person with all the refinement of paint and feathers, and in the 
manufacture of his arms and of canoes. These were constructed of 
bark, and so light that they could easily be carried on the shoulder 
from stream to stream. His amusements were the war dance, ath- 
letic games, the narration ot his exploits, and listening to the ora- 
tory of the chiefs; but during long periods of such existence he 
remained in a state of torpor, gazing listlessly upon the trees of the 
forests and the clouds that sailed above them; and this vacancy 
imprinted a habitual gravity, and even melancholy, upon his gen- 
eral deportment. 

The main labor and drudgery of Indian communities fell upon 
the women. The planting, tending and gathering of the crops, 
making mats and baskets, carrying burdens,^-in fact, all things of 
the kind were performed by them, thus making their condition but 
little better than that of slaves. Marriage was merely a matter of 
bargain and sale, the husband giving presents to the father of the 
bride. In general they had but t'ew children. They were subjected 
to many and severe attacks of sickness, and at times famine and 
pestilence swept away whole tribes. 

The Indians had not only their good "manitous," but also their 
evil spirits; and the wild features of the lake scenery appears to 
have impressed their savage minds with superstition. They believed 
that ail the prominent points of this wide region were created and 
guarded by monsters; and the images of these they sculptured on 
stone, painted upon the rocks, or carved upon the trees. Those who 
"obeyed " these supernatural beings , they thought, would after death 
range among flowery fields filled with the choicest game, while 
those who neglected their counsels would wander amid dreary soli- 
tudes, stung by gnats as large as pigeons. 

EUROPEAN POSSESSION. 

It is not necessary to dwell on the details of history from the 
discovery of America in 1492 to the settlement of Michigan in 
1668, as some historians do under the head of " the history of 
Michigan;" for the transaction of men and councils at Quebec, 
New York, Boston, or London, or Paris, concerning the European 
possessions in America prior to 1668 did not in the least affect 
either man, beast or inanimate object within the present limits of 
the State of Michigan. Nor do we see the necessity of going back 
to the foundations of American institutions, simply because they 
arethe origin of the present features of Michigan institutions and 
society, any more than to Greek, Latin, Christian or mediaeval civ- 
ilization, although all the latter also affect Michigan society. 

Jacques Marquette was the first white man, according to' history, 
to set foot upon ground within what is now the State of Michigan. 



26 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

He was born of an honorable family at Laon, in the north of 
France, in 1637, the month not known, lie was educated for the 
Catholic priesthood; in 1654 he joined the Jesuits, and in 1666 he 
was sent as a missionary to Canada; after the river St. Lawrence 
and the Great Lakes had been mapped out, the all-absorbing object 
of interest with Gov. Frontenac Talch, the " intendent," and Mar- 
quette himself was to discover and trace from the north the won- 
derful Mississippi that De Soto, the Spaniard, had first seen at the 
South in 1641. In 166S, according to Bancroft, he repaired to the 
Chippewa, at the Sail It, to establish the mission of the St. Mary, 
the oldest settlement begun by Europeans within the present limits 
of Michigan. This was under Louis XIV., of France. 

In 1669 Father Marquette established a mission at Mackinaw, 
then called " Michilimackinac," from an Indian word signifying 
" a great turtle," or from the Chippewa " michine-maukinonk," 
" a place of giant fairies." Here Marquette built a chapel in 1(371, 
and continued to teach the Indians until his death. 

In 1673, in company with Louis Joliet, Father Marquette received 
orders from Gov. Frontenac to proceed west and explore the Mis- 
sissippi, which they did, as far south as the Arkansas river. 

Marquette was a scholar and a polite Christian, enthusiastic, 
shrewd and persevering. He won the affections of all parties, 
French, English and Indian. He was even a man of science, with 
a strong element of romance and love of natural beauty in his 
character. Park man speaks of him, in characteristic epithet, as 
"the humble. Marquette who, with clasped hands and upturned 
eyes, seems a figure evoked from some dim legend of mediaeval 
saintship." In life he seems to have been looked up to with rever- 
ence by the wildest savage, by the rude frontiersman, and by the 
polished officer of government. Most of all the States, his 
name and his fame should be dear to Michigan. He died in June, 
1675, and was buried with great solemnity and deep sorrow near 
the mouth of Pere Marquette river. The remains were afterward 
deposited in a vault in the middle of the chapel of St. Ignace near 
by; but on the breaking up of the mission at this place the Jesuits 
burned the chapel, and the exact site was forgotten until Sept. 3, 
1877, when the vault, consisting of birch bark, was found; but the 
remains of the great missionary were probably stolen away by his 
Indian admirers soon after the abandonment of the mission. 

The next settlement in point of time was made in 1679, by 
Robert Cavalier de La Salle, at the mouth of the St. Joseph river. 
He had constructed a vessel, the " Griffin," just above Niagara falls, 
and sailed around by the lakes to Green Bay, Wis., whence he 
traversed " Lac des Illinois," now Lake Michigan, by canoe to the 
month of the St. Joseph river. The « Griffin " was the first sailing 
vessel that ever came west of Niagara falls. La Salle erected a fort 
at the mouth of the St. Joseph river, which afterward was moved 
about 60 miles up the river, where it was still seen in Charlevoix's 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 27 

time, 1721. La Salle also built a fort on the Illinois river just 
below Peoria, and explored the region of the Illinois and Missis- 
sip})! rivers. 

The next, and third, Michigan post erected by authority was a 
second fort on the St. Joseph river, established by Du Luth, near 
the present Fort Gratiot, in 1686. The object of this was to inter- 
cept emissaries of the English, who were anxious to open traffic with 
the Mackinaw and Lake Superior nations. 

The French posts in Michigan and westward left very little to be 
gathered by the New York traders, and they determined, as there 
was peace between France and England, to push forward their 
agencies and endeavor to deal with the western and northern 
Indians in their own country. The French governors not only 
plainly asserted the title of France, but as plainly threatened to 
use all requisite force to expel intruders. Anticipating correctly 
that the English would attempt to reach Lake Huron from the 
East without passing up Detroit river, Du Luth built a fort at the 
outlet of the lake into the St. Clair. About the same time an 
expedition was planned against the Senecas, and the Chevalier 
Tonti, commanding La Salle's forts, of St. Louis and St. Joseph of 
Lake Michigan, and La Durantaye, the veteran commander of 
Mackinaw, were employed to bring down the French and Indian 
auxiliaries to take part in the war. These men intercepted 
English expeditions into the interior to establish trade with the 
Northern Indians, and succeeded in cutting them off for many years. 

Religious zeal for the Catholic Church and the national aggrand- 
izement were almost or quite equally the primary and all-ruling 
motive of western explorations. For these two purposes expedi- 
tions were sent out and missions and military posts were established. 
In these enterprises Marquette, Joliet, La Salle, St. Lusson and 
others did all that we find credited to them in history. 

In 1669 or 1670, Talon, then " Intendant of New France," sent 
out two parties to discover a passage to the South Sea, St. Lusson 
to Hudson's Bay and La Salle southwestward. On his return in 
1671) St. Lusson held a council of all the northern tribes at the 
Sault Ste. Marie, where they formed an alliance with the French. 

" It is a curious fact," says Campbell, " that the public docu- 
ments are usually made to exhibit the local authorities as originat- 
ing everything, when the facts brought to light from other sources 
show that they were compelled to permit what they ostensibly 
directed." The expeditions sent out by Talon were at least sug- 
gested from France. The local authorities were sometimes made 
to do things which were not, in their judgment, the wisest. 

DETROIT. 

July 19, 1701, the Iroquois conveyed to King William III all 
their claims to land, describing their territory as "that vast tract 
of land or colony called Canagariarchio, beginning on the north- 



28 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

west side of Cadarachqui lake [Ontario], and includes all that vast 
tract of land lying between the great lake of Ottawawa [Huron], 
and the lake called bj the natives Sahiquage, and by the Christians 
the Lake of Sweege [Oswego, for Lake Erie], and runs till it 
butts upon the Twichtwichs, and is bounded on the westward by 
the Twichtwichs by a place called Qnadoge, containing in length 
about 800 miles and breadth 400 miles, including the country where 
beavers and all sorts of wild game keeps, and the place 
called Tjenghsaghrondie alias Fort De Tret or Wawyachtenock 
[Detroit], and so runs round the lake of Sweege till you come to a 
place called Oniadarundaquat," etc. 

It was chiefly to prevent any further mischief, and to secure 
more effectually the French supremacy that La Motte Cadillac, who 
had great influence over the savages, succeeded, in 1701, after 
various plans urged by him had been shelved by hostile colonial 
intrigues, in getting permission from Count Pontchartrain to begin 
a settlement in Detroit. His purpose was from the beginning to 
make not only a military post, but also a civil establishment, for 
trade and agriculture. He was more or less threatened and opposed 
by the monopolists and by the Mackinaw missionaries, and was 
subjected to severe persecutions. He finally triumphed and 
obtained valuable privileges and the right of seigneury. Crafts- 
men of all kinds were induced to settle in the town, and trade 
flourished. He succeeded in getting the Hurons and many of the 
Ottawas to leave Mackinaw and settle about " Fort Pontchartrain." 
This fort stood on what was formerly called the first terrace, being 
on the ground lying between Larned street and the river, and 
between Griswold and Wayne streets. Cadillac's success was so 
great, in spite of all opposition, that he was appointed governor of 
the new province of Louisiana, which had been granted to Crozat 
and his associates. This appointment removed him from Detroit, 
and immediately afterward the place was exposed to an Indian 
siege, instigated by English emissaries and conducted by the Mas- 
coutins and Ontagamies, the same people who made the last war on 
the whites in the territory of Michigan under Black Hawk a cen- 
tury and a quarter later. The tribes allied to the French came in 
with alacrity and defeated and almost annihilated the assailants, of 
whom a thousand were put to death. 

Unfortunately for the country, the commanders who succeeded 
Cadillac for many years were narrow-minded and selfish and not 
disposed to advance any interests beyond the lucrative traffic with 
the Indians in peltries. It was not until 1734 that any new grants 
were made to farmers. This was done by Governor-General Beau- 
harnois, who made the grants on the very easiest terms. Skilled 
artisans became numerous in Detroit, and prosperity set in all 
around. The buildings were not of the rudest kind, but built of 
oak or cedar, and of smooth finish. The cedar was brought from 
a great distance. Before 1742 the pineries were known, and at a 
very early day a saw-mill was erected on St. Clair river, near Lake 



HI8T0RY OF MICHIGAN. 29 

Huron. Before 1749 quarries were worked, especially at Stony 
Island. In 1763 there were several lime kilns within the present 
limits of Detroit, and not only stone foundations but also stone 
buildings, existed in the settlement. Several grist-mills existed 
along the river near Detroit. Agriculture was carried on profitably, 
and supplies were exported quite early, consisting chiefly of corn 
and wheat, and possibly beans and peas. Cattle, horses and swine 
were raised in considerable numbers; but as salt was very expens- 
ive, but little meat, if any, was packed for exportation. The salt 
springs near Lake St. Clair, it is true, were known, and utilized to 
some extent, but not to an appreciable extent. Gardening and fruit- 
raising were carried on more thoroughly than general farming. 
Apples and pears were good and abundant. 

During the French and English war Detroit was the principal 
source of supplies to the French troops west of Lake Ontario, and 
it also furnished a large number of lighting men. The upper posts 
were not much involved in this war. 

" Teuchsa Grondie," one of the many ways of spelling an old 
Indian name of Detroit, is rendered famous by a large and splen- 
did poem of Levi Bishop, Esq., of that city. 

During the whole of the 18th century the history of Michigan 
was little else than the history of Detroit, as the genius of French 
government was to centralize power instead of building up locali- 
ties for self-government. 

About 1704, or three years after the founding of Detroit, this 
place was attacked by the Ottawa Indians, but unsuccessfully; and 
again, in 1712, the Ottagamies, or Fox Indians, who were in secret 
alliance with the old enemies of the French, the Iroquois, attacked 
the village and laid siege to it. They were severely repulsed, and 
their chief offered a capitulation, which was refused. Considering 
this an insult, they became enraged and endeavored to burn up the 
town. Their method of tiring the place was to shoot large arrows, 
mounted with combustible material in flame, in a track through 
the sky rainbow-form. The bows and arrows being very large and 
stout, the Indians lay with their backs on the ground, put both feet 
against the central portion of the inner side of the bow and pulled 
the strings with all the might of their hands. A ball of blazing 
material would thus be sent arching over nearly a quarter of a 
mile, which would come down perpendicularly upon the dry shingle 
roofs of the houses and set them on fire. But this scheme was 
soon checkmated by the French, who covered the remaining houses 
with wet skins. The Foxes were considerably disappointed at this 
and discouraged, but they made one more desperate attempt, failed, 
and retreated toward Lake St. Clair, where they again entrenched 
themselves. From this place, however, they were soon dislodged. 
After this period these Indians occupied Wisconsin for a time and 
made it dangerous for travelers passing through from the lakes to 
the Mississippi. They were the Ishmaelites of the wilderness. 



30 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

In 1749 there was a fresh accession of immigrants to all the points 
upon the lakes, but the history of this part of the world during 
the most of this century is rather monotonous, business and gov- 
ernment remaining about the same, without much improvement. 
The records nearly all concern Canada east of the lake region. It 
is true, there was almost a constant change of commandants at the 
posts, and there were many slight changes of administrative policy; 
but as no great enterprises were successfully put in operation, the 
events of the period have but little prominence. The northwest- 
ern territory during French rule was simply a vast ranging ground 
for the numerous Indian tribes, who had no ambition higher than 
obtaining an immediate subsistence of the crudest kind, buying 
arms, whisky, tobacco, blankets and jewelry by bartering for them 
the peltries of the chase. Like a drop in the ocean was the mis- 
sionary work of the few Jesuits at the half dozen posts on the 
great waters. The forests were full of otter, beaver, bear, deer, 
grouse, quails, etc., and on the few prairies the grouse, or " prairie 
chickens," were abundant. Not much work was required to obtain 
a bare subsistence, and human nature generally is not disposed to 
lay up much for the future. The present material prosperity of 
America is really an exception to the general law of the world. 

In the latter part of 1796 Winthrop Sargent went to Detroit and 
organized the county of Wayne, forming a part of the Indiana Ter- 
ritory until its division in 1805, when the Territory of Michigan 
was organized. 

NATIONAL POLICIES. -THE GREAT FRENCH SCHEME. 

Soon after the discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi by 
La Salle in 1682, the government of France began to encourage the 
policy of establishing a line of trading posts and missionary stations 
extending through the West from Canada to Louisiana, and this 
policy was maintained, with partial success, for about 75 years. 

The river St. Joseph of Lake Michigan was called " the river 
Miamis" in 1679, in which year La Salle built a small fort on its 
bank, near the lake shore. The principal station of the mission for 
the instruction of the Miamis was established on the borders of this 
river. The first French post within the territory of the Miamis 
was at the mouth of the river Miamis, on an eminence naturally 
fortified on two sides by the river, and on one side by a deep ditch 
made by a fall of water. It was of triangular form. The mission- 
ary Hennepin gives a good description of it, as he was one of the 
company who built it, in 1079. Says he: " We felled the trees that 
were on the top of the hill; and having cleared the same from 
bushes for about two musket shot, we began to build a redoubt of 
80 feet long and 40 feet broad, with great square pieces of timber 
laid one upon another, and prepared' a great number of stakes of 
about 25 feet long to drive into the ground, to make our fort more 







INDIANS ATTACKING FKOMTlKliSiMEN. 



32 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

inaccessible on the river side. We employed the whole month of 
November about that work, which was very hard, though we had 
no other food but the bears' flesh our savage killed. These beasts 
are very common in that place because of the great quantity of 
grapes they find there; but their 4 esn being too fat and luscious, 
our men began to be weary of it and desired leave to go a hunting 
to kill some wild goats. M. La Salle denied them that liberty, which 
caused some murmurs among them; and it was but unwillingly 
that they continued their work. This, together with the approach 
of winter and the apprehension that M. La Salle had that his vessel 
(the Griffin) was lost, made him very melancholy, though he con- 
cealed it as much as he could. We made a cabin wherein we per- 
formed divine service every Sunday, and Father Gabriel and I, who 
preached alternately, took care to take such texts as were suitable 
to our present circumstances and fit to inspire us with courage, 
concord and brotherly love. ' * * * The fort was at last per- 
fected, and called Fort Miamis." 

In 1765 the Miami nation, or confederacy, was composed of four 
tribes, whose total number of warriors was estimated at only 1,050 
men. Of these about 250 were Twightwees, or Miamis proper, 300 
Weas, or Oniatenons, 300 Piankeshaws.and 200 Shockeys; and at 
this time the principal villages of the 'Twightwees were situated 
about the head of the Mamnee river at and near the place where 
Fort Wayne now is. The larger Wea villages were near the banks 
of the Wabash river, in the vicinity of the Post Ouiatenon; and 
the Shockeys and Piankeshaws dwelt on the banks of the Vermillion, 
and on the borders of the Wabash between Vincennes and Ouiate- 
non. Branches of the Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Delaware and Kicka- 
poo tribes were permitted at different times to enter within the 
boundaries of the Miamis and reside for a while. 

The wars in which France and England were engaged, from 1688 
to 1697, retarded the growth of the colonies of those nations in 
North America, and the efforts made by France to connect Canada 
and the Gulf of Mexico by a chain of trading posts and colonies 
naturally excited the jealousy of England and gradually laid the 
foundation for a struggle at arms. After several stations were estab- 
lished elsewhere in the West, trading posts were started at the 
Miami villages, which stood at the head of theMaumee, at the Wea 
villages about Ouiatenon on the Wabash, and at the Piankeshaw vil- 
lages about the present sight of Vincennes. It is probable that before 
the close of the year 1719 temporary trading posts were erected at 
the sites of Fort Wayne, Ouiatenon and Vincennes. These points 
were probably often visited by French fur traders prior to 1700. 
In the meanwhile the English people in this country commenced 
also to establish military posts west of the Alleghanies, and thus 
matters went on until they naturally culminated in a general war, 
which, being waged by the French and Indians combined on one 
6ide, was called il the French and Indian war." This war was ter- 
minated in 1763 by a treaty at Paris, by which France ceded to 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



Great Britain all of North America east of the Mississippi except 
New Orleans and the island on which it is situated; and indeed, 
France had the preceding autumn, by a secret convention, ceded to 
Spain all the country west of that river. 

In 1762, after Canada and its dependencies had been surrendered 
to the English, Pontiac and his partisans secretly organized a pow- 
erful confederacy in order to crush at one blow all English power 
in the West. This great scheme was skillfully projected and cau- 
tiously matured. 

The principal act in the programme was to gain admittance into 
the fort at Detroit, on pretense of a friendly visit, with shortened 
muskets concealed under their blankets, and on a given signal sud- 
denly break forth upon the garrison;' but an inadvertent remark of 
an Indian woman led to a discovery of the plot, which was conse- 
quently averted. Pontiac and his warriors afterward made many 
attacks upon the English, some of which were successful, but the 
Indians were finally defeated in the general war. 



BRITISH POLICY. 

In 1765 the total number of French families within the limits of 
the Northwestern Territory did not probably exceed 600. These 
were in settlements about Detroit, along the river Wabash and the 
neighborhood of Fort Ohartres on the Mississippi. Of these fami- 
lies, about 80 or 90 resided at Post Yincennes, 14 at Fort Ouiate- 
non, on the AVabash, and nine or ten at the confluence of the St. 
Mary and St. Joseph rivers. 

The colonial policy of the British government opposed any meas- 
ures which might strengthen settlements in the interior of this 
country, lest they become self-supporting and independent of the 
mother country; hence the early and rapid settlement of the North- 
western Territory was still further retarded by the short-sighted 
selfishness of England. That fatal policy consisted mainly in hold- 
ing the land in the hands of the government and not allowing it to 
be subdivided and sold to settlers. But in spite of all her efforts 
in this direction, she constantly made just such efforts as provoked 
the American people to rebel, and to rebel successfully, which was 
within 15 years after the perfect close of the French and Indian 
war. 

AMERICAN POLICY. 

Thomas Jefferson, the shrewd statesman and wise Governor of 
Virginia, saw from the first that actual occupation of Western lands 
was the only way to keep them out of the hands of foreigners and 
Indians. Therefore, directly after the conquest of Yincennes by 
Clark, he engaged a scientific corps to proceed under an escort to 

3 



34 HISTOKY OF MICHIGAN. 

the Mississippi, and ascertain by celestial observations the point on 
that river intersected by latitude 36° 30', the southern limit of the 
State, and to measure its distance to the Ohio. To Gen. Clark was 
entrusted the conduct of the military operations in that quarter. 
He was instructed to select a strong position near that point and 
establish there a fort and garrison; thence to extend his conquest 
northward to the lakes, erecting forts at different points, which 
might serve as monuments of actual possession, besides affording 
protection to that portion of the country. Fort " Jefferson " was 
erected and garrisoned on the Mississippi a few miles above the 
southern limit. 

The result of these operations was the addition, to the chartered 
limits of Virginia, of that immense region known as the k ' North- 
western Territory." The simple fact that such and such forts were 
established by the Americans in this vast region convinced the Brit- 
ish Commissioners that we had entitled ourselves to the land. But 
where are those " monuments " of our power now? 

ORDINANCE OF 1787. 

This ordinance has a marvelous and interesting history. Con- 
siderable controversy has been indulged in as to who is entitled to 
the credit for framing it. This belongs, undoubtedly, to TNathan 
Dane; and to Rufus King and Timothy Pickering belong the credit 
for suggesting the proviso contained in it against slavery, and also 
for aids to religion and knowledge, and for assuring forever the 
common use, without charge, of the great national highways of the 
Mississippi, the St. Lawrence and their tributaries to all the citi- 
zens of the United States. To Thomas Jefferson is also due much 
credit, as some features of this ordinance were embraced in his or- 
dinance of 1784. But the part taken by each in the long, laborious 
and eventful struggle which had so glorious a consummation in 
the ordinance, consecrating forever, by one imprescriptible and un- 
changeable monument, the very heart of our country to freedom, 
knowledge and union, will forever honor the names of those illustri- 
ous statesmen. 

Mr. Jefferson had vainly tried to secure a system of government 
for the Northwestern Territory. He was an emancipationist and 
favored the exclusion of slavery from the Territory, but the South 
voted him down every time he proposed a measure of this nature. 
In 1787, as late as July 10, an organizing act without the anti- 
slavery clause was pending. This concession to the South was 
expected to carry it. Congress was in session in New York. On 
July 5, Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of Massachusetts, came into New- 
York to lobby on the Northwestern Territory. Everything seemed 
to fall into his hands. Events were ripe. The state of the public 
credit, the growing of Southern prejudice, the basis of his mission, 
his personal character, all combined to complete one of those sudden 



HISTOKY OF MICHIGAN. 35 

and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that once in five or 
ten centuries are seen to sweep over a country like the breath of the 
Almighty. 

Cutler was a graduate of Yale. He had studied and taken de- 
grees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinity. 
He had published a scientific examination of the plants of New 
England. As a scientist in America his name stood second only to 
that of Franklin. He was a courtly gentleman of the old style, a 
man of commanding presence and of inviting face. The Southern 
members said they had never seen such a gentleman in the North. 
He came representing a Massachusetts company that desired to 
purchase a tract of land, now included in Ohio, for the purpose of 
planting a colony. It was a speculation. Government money was 
worth eighteen cents on the dollar. This company had collected 
enough to purchase 1,500,000 acres of land. Other speculators in 
New York made Dr. Cutler their agent, which enabled him to 
represent a demand for 5,500,000 acres. As this would reduce the 
national debt, and Jefferson's policy was to provide for the public 
credit, it presented a good opportunity to do something. 

Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was 
crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the North- 
western region. This fired the zeal of Virginia. The South caught 
the inspiration, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The entire South ral. 
lied around him. Massachusetts could not vote against him, be- 
cause many of the constuitents of her members were interested 
personally in the Western speculation. Thus Cutler, making 
friends in the South, and doubtless using all the arts of the lobby, 
was enabled to command the situation. True to deeper convic- 
tions, he dictated one of the most compact and finished documents 
of wise statesmanship that has ever adorned any human law book. 
He borrowed from Jefferson the term "Articles of Compact," which, 
preceding the federal constitution, rose into the most sacred char- 
acter. He then followed very closely the constitution of Massa- 
chusetts, adopted three years before. Its most prominent points 
were: 

1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever. 

2. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a semi- 
nary and every section numbered 16 in each township; that is, one 
thirty-sixth of all the land for public schools. 

3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any constitution or 
the enactment of any law that should nullify pre-existing contracts. 



36 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Be it forever remembered that this compact declared that " re- 
ligion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good govern- 
ment and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of edu- 
cation shall always be encouraged." Dr. Cutler planted himself 
on this platform and would not yield. Giving his unqualified dec- 
laration that it was that or nothing, — that unless they could make 
the land desirable they did not want it, — he took his horse and buggy 
and started for the constitutional convention at Philadelphia. On 
July 13, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage, and was unani- 
mously adopted. Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Michigan and Wisconsin, a vast empire, were consecrated to free 
dom, intelligence, and morality. Thus the great heart of the nation 
was prepared to save the union of States, for it was this act that was 
the salvation of the republic and the destruction of slavery. Soon 
the South saw their great blunder and tried to have the compact 
repealed. In 1803 Congress referred it to a committee, of which 
John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance 
was a compact and opposed repeal. Thus it stood, a rock in the 
way of the on-rushing sea of slavery. 

The " Northwestern Territory " included of course what is now 
the State of Indiana; and Oct 5, 1787, Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair 
was elected by Congress Governor of this territory. Upon 
commencing the duties of his office he was instructed to ascertain 
the real temper of the Indians and do all in his power to remove 
the causes for controversy between them and the United States, 
and to effect the extinguishment of Indian titles to all the land 
possible. The Governor took up quarters in the new settlement of 
Marietta, Ohio, where he immediately began the organization of 
the government of the territory. The first session' of the General 
Court of the new territory was held at that place in 1788, the 
Judges being Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum and John C. 
Symmes, but under the ordinance Gov. St. Clair was President of 
the Court. After the first session, and after the necessary laws for 
government were adopted, Gov. St. Clair, accompanied by the 
Judges, visited Kaskaskia for the purpose of organizing a civil gov- 
ernment there. Full instructions had been sent to Maj. Hamtramck, 
commandant at Vincennes, to ascertain the exact feeling and temper 
of tL3 Indian tribes of the Wabash. These instructions were ac- 
companied by speeches to each of the tribes. A Frenchman named 
Antoine Gamelin was dispatched with these messages April 5, 1790, 
who visited nearly all the tribes on the Wabash, St. Joseph and St. 




GEN. GEORGK ROGERS CLARK, 



♦ 



33 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN". 

Mary's rivers, but was coldly received; most of the chiefs being 
dissatisfied with the policy of the Americans toward them, and 
prejudiced through English misrepresentation. Full accounts of 
his adventures among the tribes reached Gov. St. Clair at Kaskas- 
kia in June, 1790. Being satisfied that there was no prospect of 
effecting a general peace with the Indians of Indiana, he resolved 
to visit Gen. Harmar at his headquarters at Fort Washington and 
consult with him on the means of carrying an expedition against 
the hostile Indians; but before leaving he intrusted Winthrop 
Sargent, the Secretary of the Territory, with the execution of the 
resolutions of Congress regarding the lands and settlers on the 
Wabash. He directed that officer to proceed to Vincennes, lay 
out a county there, establish the militia and appoint the necessary 
civil and military officers. Accordingly Mr. Sargent went to Vin- 
cennes and organized Camp Knox, appointed the officers, and noti- 
fied the inhabitants to present their claims to lands. In establish- 
ing these claims the settlers found great difficulty, and concerning 
this matter the Secretary in his report to the President wrote as 
follows: 

"Although the lands and lots which were awarded to the inhabi- 
tants appeared from very good oral testimony to belong to those 
persons to whom they were awarded, either by original grants, pur- 
chase or inheritance, yet there was scarcely one case in twenty 
where the title was complete, owing to the desultory manner in 
which public business had been transacted and some other unfor- 
tunate causes. The original concessions by the French and British 
commandants were generally made upon a small scrap of paper, 
which it has been customary to lodge in the notary's office, who 
has seldom kept any book of record, but committed the most im- 
portant land concerns to loose sheets, which in process of time 
have come into possession of persons that have fraudulently de- 
stroyed them; or, unacquainted with their consequence, innocently 
lost or trifled them away. By French usage they are considered 
family inheritances, and often descend to women and children. In 
one instance, and during the government of St. Ange here, a royal 
notary ran off with all the public papers in his possession, as by a 
certificate produced to me. And I am very sorry farther to observe 
that in the office of Mr. Le Grand, which continued from 1777 to 
1787, and where should have been the vouchers for important land 
transactions, the records have been so falsified, and there is such 
gross fraud and forgery, as to invalidate all evidence and informa- 
tion which I might have otherwise acquired from his papers." 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 39 

Mr. Sargent says there were about 150 French families at Yin- 
cennes in 1790. The heads of all these families had been at one time 
vested with certain titles to a portion of the soil; and while the 
Secretary was busy in straightening out these claims, he received 
a petition eio-ned by 80 Americans, asking for the confirmation of 
■grants of land ceded by the Court organized by Col. John Todd 
under the authority of Virginia. With reference to this cause, 
Congress, March 3, 1791, empowered the Territorial Governor, in 
cases where land had been actually improved and cultivated under 
a supposed grant for the same, to confirm to the persons who made 
such improvements the lands supposed to have been granted, not, 
however, exceeding the quantity of 400 acres to any one person. 

THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAK. 

Soon after the discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi in 1682, 
the government of France began to encourage the policy of estab- 
lishing a line of trading posts and missionary stations extending 
through the West from Canada and the great lakes to Louisiana; 
and this policy was maintained, with partial success, for about 75 
years. British power was the rival upon which the French con- 
tinually kept their eye. Of course a collision of arms would re- 
sult in a short time, and this commenced about 1755. In 1760 
Canada, including the lake region, fell into the hands of the British. 
During the war occurred Braddock's defeat, the battles of Niagara, 
Crown Point and Lake George, and the death of brave Wolfe and 
Montcalm. Sept. 12, this year, Major Robert Rogers, a native of 
New Hampshire, a provincial officer and then at the height of his 
reputation, received orders from Sir Jeffrey Amherst to ascend the 
lakes with a detachment of rangers, and take possession, in the 
name of his Britannic Majesty, of Detroit, Michilimackinac, and 
other Western posts included in the capitulation of Montreal. He left 
the latter place on the following day with 200 rangers in 15 whale 
boats. Nov. 7 they reached the mouth of a river (" Chogage ") on 
the southern coast of lake Erie, where they were met by Pontiac, 
the Indian chief, who now appears for the first time upon the pages 
of Michigan history. He haughtily demanded of Rogers why he 
should appear in his realm with his forces without his permission. 
The Major informed him that the English had obtained permission 
of Canada, and that he was on his way to Detroit to publish the 
fact and to restore a general peace to white men and Indians alike. 
The next day Pontiac signified his willingness to live at peace with 
the English, allowing them to remain in his country, provided they 
paid him due respect. He knew that French power was on the 
wane, and that it was to the interest of his tribes to establish an 
early peace with the new power. The Indians, who had collected 
at the mouth of Detroit, reported 400 strong, to resist the coming 
of the British forces, were easily influenced by Pontiac to yield the 
situation to Rogers. Even the French commandant at Detroit, 



40 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Capt. Beletre, was in a situation similar to that of the Indians, 
and received the news of the defeat of the French from Major 
Rogers, lie was indignant and incredulous, and tried to rouse the 
fury of his old-time friends, the Indians, but found them "faith- 
less " in this hour of his need. He surrendered with an ill grace, 
amid the } T ells of several hundred Indian warriors. It was a source- 
of great amazement to the Indians to see so many men surrender 
to so few. Nothing is more effective in gaining the respect of In- 
dians than a display of power, and the above proceedings led them 
to be overawed by English prowess. They were astonished also at 
the forbearance of the conquerors in not killing their vanquished 
euemies on the spot. 

This surrender of Detroit was on the 29th of November, 1760. 
The posts elsewhere in the lake region north and west were not 
reached until some time afterward. The English now thought they 
had the country perfectly in their own hands and that there was 
but little trouble ahead; but in this respect they were mistaken. 
The French renewed their efforts to circulate reports among the 
Indians that the English intended to take all their land from them, 
etc. The slaughter of the Monongahela, the massacre at Fort 
William Henry and the horrible devastation of the Western fron- 
tier, all bore witness to the fact that the French were successful in 
prejudicing the Indians against the British, and the latter began to 
have trouble at various points. The French had always been in 
the habit of making presents to the Indians, keeping them supplied 
with arms, ammunition, etc., and it was not their policy to settle 
upon their lands. The British, on the other hand, now supplied 
them with nothing, frequently insulting them when they appeared 
around the forts. Everything conspired to fix the Indian popula- 
tion in their prejudices against the British Government. Even the 
seeds of the American Revolution were scattered into the West and 
began to grow. 

The first Indian chief to raise the war-whoop was probably Kia- 
shuta, of the Senecas, but Pontiac, of the Ottawas, was the great 
George Washington of all the tribes to systemize and render effect- 
ual the initial movements of the approaching storm. His home 
was about eight miles above Detroit, on Pechee Island, which looks 
out upon the waters of Lake St. Clair. He was a well-formed man, 
with a countenance indicating a high degree of intelligence. In 
1746 he had successfully defended Detroit against the northern 
tribes, and it is probable he was present and assisted in the defeat 
of Braddock. 

About the close of 1762 he called a general council of the tribes, 
sending out embassadors in all directions, who with the war-belt of 
wampum and the tomahawk went from village to village and camp 
to camp, informing the sachems everywhere that war was impend- 
ing, and delivering to them the message of Pontiac. They all 
approved the message, and April 27, 1763, a grand council was held 
near Detroit, when Pontiac stood forth in war paint and delivered 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 41 

"the great speech of the campaign." The English were slow to 
perceive any dangerous conspiracy in progress, and when the blow 
was struck, nine out of twelve of the British posts were surprised 
and destroyed! Three of these were within the bounds of thif 
State. 

The first prominent event of the war was the 

MASSACRE AT FORT MICHILIMACKINAC, 

on the northernmost point of the southern peninsula, the site of the 
present city of Mackinaw. This Indian outrage was one of the most 
ingeniously devised and resolutely executed schemes in American 
history. The Chippewas (or Ojibways) appointed one of their big 
ball plays in the vicinity of the post, and invited and inveigled as 
many of the occupants as they could to the scene of play, then fell 
upon the unsuspecting and unguarded English in the most brutal 
manner. For the details of this horrible scene we are indebted to 
Alexander Henry, a trader at that point, who experienced several 
most blood-curdling escapes from death and scalping at the hands of 
the savages. The result of the massacre was the death of about 70 
out of 90 persons. The Ottawa Indians, who occupied mainly the 
eastern portion of the lower peninsula, were not consulted by the 
Chippewas with reference to attacking Michilimackinac, and were 
consequently so enraged that they espoused the cause of the English, 
through spite; and it was through their instrumentality that Mr, 
Henry and some of his comrades were saved from death and con- 
veyed east to the regions of civilization. 

Of Mr. Henry's narrow escapes we give the following succinct 
account. Instead of attending the ball play of the Indians he spent 
the day writing letters to his friends, as a canoe was to leave for the 
East the following day. AVhile thus engaged, he heard an Indian 
war cry and a noise of general confusion. Looking out of the win- 
dow, he saw a crowd of Indians within the fort, that is, within the 
village palisade, who were cutting down and scalping every English- 
man they found. He seized a fowling-piece which he had at hand, 
and waited a moment for the signal, the drum beat to arms. In 
that dreadful interval he saw several of his countrymen fall under 
the tomahawk and struggle between the knees of an Indian who 
held him in this manner to scalp him while still alive. Mr. Henry 
heard no signal to arms; and seeing that it was useless to under- 
take to resist 400 Indians, he thought only of shelter for himself. 
He saw many of the Canadian inhabitants of the fort calmly look- 
ing on, neither opposing the Indians nor suffering injury, and he 
therefore concluded he might find safety in some of their houses. 
He stealthily ran to one occupied by Mr. Langlade and family, who 
were at their windows beholding the bloody scene. Mr. L. scarcely 
dared to harbor him, but a Pawnee slave of the former concealed 
him in the garret, locked the stairway door and took away the key. 
In this situation Mr. Henry obtained through an aperture a view 



42 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

of whuc was going on without. He saw the dead scalped and man- 
gled, the dying in writhing agony under the insatiate knife and 
tomahawk, and the savages drinking human blood from the hollow 
of their joined hands! Mr. Henry almost felt as if he were a vic- 
tim himself, so intense were his sufferings. Soon the Indian fiends 
began to halloo, " All is finished!" At this instant Henry heard 
some of the Indians enter the house in which he had taken shelter. 
The garret was separated from the room below by only a layer of 
single boards, and Mr. Henry heard all that was said. As soon as 
the Indians entered they inquired whether there were any English- 
men in the house. Mr. Langlade replied that lie could not say; 
they might examine for themselves. He then conducted them to 
the garret door. As the door was locked, a moment of time was 
snatched by Mr. Henry to crawl into a heap of birch-bark vessels 
in a dark corner; and although several Indians searched around the 
garret, one of them coming within arm's length of the sweating 
prisoner, they went out satisfied that no Englishman was there. 

As Mr. Henry was passing the succeeding night in this room he 
could think of no possible chance of escape from the country. He 
was out of provisions, the nearest post was Detroit, 400 miles away, 
and the route thither lay through the enemy's country. The next 
morning he heard Indian voices below informing Mr. Langlade that 
they had not found an Englishman named Henry among the dead, 
and that they believed him to be somewhere concealed. Mrs. L., 
believing that the safety of the houseliold depended on giving up 
the refugee to his pursuers, prevailed on her husband to lead the 
Indians up stairs, to the room of Mr. H. The latter was saved from 
instant death by one of the savages adopting him as a u brother," 
in the place of one lost. The Indians were all mad with liquor, 
however, and Mr. II. again very narrowly escaped death. An hour 
afterward he was taken out of the fort by an Indian indebted to him 
for goods, and was under the uplifted knife of the savage when he 
suddenly broke away from him and made back to Mr. Langlade's 
house, barely escaping the knife of the Indian the whole distance. 
The next day he, with three other prisoners, were taken in a canoe 
toward Lake Michigan, 'and at Fox Point, 18 miles distant, the 
Ottawas rescued the whites, through spite at the Chippewas, say- 
ing that the latter contemplated killing and eating them; but the 
next day they were returned to the Chippewas, as the result of some 
kind of agreement about the conduct of the war. He was rescued 
again by an old friendly Indian claiming him as a brother. The 
next morning he saw the dead bodies of seven whites dragged forth 
from the prison lodge he had just occupied. The fattest of these 
dead bodies was actually served up and feasted on, directly before 
the eyes of Mr. Henry. 

Through the partiality of the Ottawas and complications of mili- 
tary affairs among the Indians, Mr. Henry, after severe exposures 
and many more thrilling escapes, was finally landed within terri- 
tory occupied by whites. 




GEN. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. 



44 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

For more than a year after the massacre, Michilimackinac was 
occupied only by wood rangers aud Indians; then, after the treaty, 
Capt. Howard was sent with troops to take possession. 

SIEGE OF DETROIT. 

In the spring of 1763 Pontiac determined to take Detroit by an 
ingenious assault. He had his men file off their guns so that they 
would be short enough to conceal under their blanket clothing as 
they entered the fortification. A Canadian woman who went over 
to their village on the east side of the river to obtain some venison, 
saw them thus at work on their guns, and suspected they were pre- 
paring for an attack on the whites. She told her neighbors what 
she had seen, and one of them informed the commandant, Major 
Gladwvn, who at first slighted the advice, but before another day 
passed he had full knowledge of the plot. There is a legend that a 
beautiful Chippewa girl, well known to Gladwyn, divulged to him 
the scheme which the Indians had in view, namely, that the next 
day Pontiac would come to the fort with 60 of his chiefs, each 
armed with a gun cut short and hidden under his blanket; that 
Pontiac would demand a council, deliver a speech, offer a peace-belt 
of wampum, holding it in a reversed position as the signal for 
attack; that the chiefs, sitting upon the ground, would then spring 
up and fire upon the officers, and the Indians out in the streets 
would next fall upon the garrison, and kill every Englishman, Cut 
sparing all the French. 

Gladwyn accordingly put the place in a state of defense as well as 
he could, and arranged for a quiet reception of the Indians and a 
sudden attack upon them when he should give a signal. At 10 
o'clock, May 7, according to the girl's prediction, the Indians came, 
entered the fort and proceeded with the programme, but with some 
hesitation, as they saw their plot had been discovered. Pontiac 
made his speech, professing friendship for the English, etc., and 
without giving his signal tor attack, sat down, and heard Major 
Gladwyn's reply, who suffered him and his men to retire unmo- 
lested. He probably feared to take them as prisoners, as war was 
not actual^ commenced. The next day Pontiac determined to try 
again, but was refused entrance at the gate unless he should come 
in alone. He turned away in a rage, and in a few minutes some of 
his men commenced the peculiarly Indian work of attacking an 
innocent household and murdering them, just beyond the range of 
British guns. Another squad murdered an Englishman on an 
island at a little distance. Pontiac did not authorize these pro- 
ceedings, but retired across the river and ordered preparations to 
be made for taking the fort by direct assault, the headquarters of 
the camp to be on " Bloody run" west of the river. Meanwhile 
the garrison was kept in readiness for any outbreak. The very next 
day Pontiac, having received reinforcements from the Chippewas 
of Saginaw Bay, commenced the attack, but was repulsed; no deaths 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. -15 

upon either side. Gladwyn sent embassadors to arrange for peace, 
but Pontiac, although professing to be willing in a general way to 
conclude peace, would not agree to any particular proposition. A 
number of Canadians visited the fort and warned the commandant 
to evacuate, as 1,500 or more Indians would storm the place in an 
hour; and soon afterward a Canadian came with a summons from 
Pontiac, demanding Gladwyn to surrender the post at once, and 
promising that, in case of compliance, he and his men would be 
allowed to go on board their vessels unmolested, leaving their arms 
and effects behind. To both these advices Major Gladwyn gave a 
11 at refusal. 

Only three weeks' provisions were within the fort, and the garri- 
son was in a deplorable condition. A few Canadians, however, 
from across the river, sent some provisions occasionally, by night. 
Had it not been for this timely assistance, the garrison would 
doubtless have had to abandon the fort. The Indians themselves 
soon began to suffer from hunger, as they had not prepared for a 
long siege; but Pontiac, after some maraudings upon the French 
settlers had been made, issued " promises to pa} 7 " on birch bark, 
with which he pacified the residents. He subsequently redeemed 
all these notes. About the end of July Capt. Dalzell arrived from 
Niagara with re-enforcements and provisions, and persuaded Glad- 
wyn to undertake an aggressive movement against Pontiac. Dalzell 
was detailed for the purpose of attacking the camp at Parent's 
creek, a mile and a half away, but being delajxd a day, Pontiac 
learned of his movements and prepared his men to contest his 
march. On the next morning, July 31, before day-break, Dalzell 
went out with 250 men, but was repulsed with a loss of 59 killed 
and wounded, while the Indians lost less than half that number. 
Parent's creek was afterward known as "Bloody run." 

Shortly afterward, the schooner " Gladwyn," on its return from 
Niagara with ammunition and provisions, anchored about nine miles 
below Detroit for the night, when in the darkness about 300 Indians 
in canoes came quietly upon the vessel and very nearly succeeded 
in taking it. Slaughter proceeded vigorously until the mate gave 
orders to his men to blow up the schooner, when the Indians, under- 
standing the design, fled precipitately, plunging into the water and 
swimming ashore. This desperate command saved the crew, and 
the schooner succeeded in reaching the post with the much needed 
supply of provisions. 

By this time, September, most of the tribes around Detroit were 
disposed to sue for peace. A truce being obtained, Gladwyn laid in 
provisions for the winter, while Pontiac retired with his chiefs to 
the Maumee country, only to prepare for a resumption of war the 
next spring. He or his allies the next season carried on a petty 
warfare until in August, when the garrison, now worn out and 
reduced, were relieved by fresh troops, Major Bradstreet com- 
manding. Pontiac retired to the Maumee again, still to stir up 
hate against the British. Meanwhile the Indians near Detroit, 



46 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

scarcely comprehending what they were doing, were induced by 
Bradstreet to declare themselves subjects of Great Britain. An 
embassy sent to Pontiac induced him also to cease belligerent 
operations against the British. 

In 1769 the great chief and warrior, Pontiac, was killed in Illi- 
nois by a Kaskaskia Indian, for a barrel of whisky offered by an 
Englishman named Williamson. 

The British at Detroit now changed their policy somewhat, and 
endeavored to conciliate the Indians, paying them for. land and 
encouraging French settlements in the vicinity. This encourage- 
ment was exhibited, in part, in showing some partiality to French 
customs. 

At this time the fur trade was considerably revived, the princi- 
pal point of shipment being the Grand Portage of Lake Superior. 
The charter boundaries of the two companies, the Hudson's Bay 
and the Northwest, not having been very well defined, the employes 
of the respective companies often came into conflict. Lord Selkirk, 
the head of the former company, euded the difficulty by uniting 
the stock of both companies. An attempt was also made to mine 
and ship copper, but the project was found too expensive. 

AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

By this important struggle the territory of the present State of 
Michigan was but little affected, the posts of Detroit and Mackinaw 
being the principal points whence the British operated among the 
Indians to prejudice them against the "Americans," going so far 
as to pay a reward for scalps, which the savages of course hesitated 
not to take from defenseless inhabitants. The expeditions made by 
the Indians for this purpose were even supported sometimes by the 
regular troops and local militia. One of these joint expeditions, 
commanded by Capt. Byrd, set out from Detroit to attack Louis- 
ville, Ky. It proceeded in boats as far as it could ascend the 
Maumee, and thence crossed to the Ohio river, on which stream 
Ruddle's Station was situated, which surrendered at once, without 
fighting, under the promise of being protected from the Indians; 
but this promise was broken and all the prisoners massacred. 

Another expedition, under Gov. Hamilton, the commandant at 
Detroit, started out in 1778, and appeared at Vincennes, Ind., with 
a force of 30 regulars, 50 French volunteers and about 400 Indians. 
At this fort the garrison consisted only of Capt. Helm and one 
soldier, named Henry. Seeing the troops at a distance, they loaded 
a cannon, which they placed in the open gateway; and Capt. Helm 
stood by the cannon with a lighted match. When Hamilton with 
his army approached within hailing distance, Helm called out with a 
loud voice, " Halt!" This show of resistance made Hamilton stop 
and demand a surrender of the garrison. " No man," exclaimed 
Helm, with an oath, " enters here until I know the terms." Ham- 
ilton replied, " You shall have the honors of war." Helm thereupon 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 47 

surrendered the fort, and the whole garrison, consisting of the two 
already named (!), marched out and received the customary marks 
of respect for their brave defense. Hamilton was soon afterward 
made to surrender this place to Gen. George Rogers Clark, the 
ablest American defender in the West. The British soldiers were 
allowed to return to Detroit; but their commander, who was known 
to have been active in instigating Indian barbarities, was put in 
irons and sent to Virginia as a prisoner of war. 

The English at Detroit suspected that a certain settlement of 
pious Moravian missionaries on the Muskingum river were aiding 
the American cause, and they called a conference at Niagara and 
urged the Iroquois to break up the Indian congregation which had 
collected under these missionaries: but the Iroquois declined to 
concern themselves so deeply in white men's quarrels, and sent 
a message to theChippewasand Ottawas, requesting them to" make 
soup " of the Indian congregation on the Muskingum. 

These Moravian missionaries came to Detroit in 1781, before De 
Peyster, the commandant. A war council was held, and the council- 
house completely filled with Indians. Capt. Pike, an Indian chief, 
addressed the assembly and told the commandant that the English 
might tight the Americans if they chose; it was their cause, not his; 
that they had raised a quarrel among themselves, and it was their 
business to fight it out. They had set him on the Americans as the 
hunter sets his dog upon the game. By the side of the British 
commander stood another war chief, with a stick in his hand four 
feet in length, strung with American scalps. This warrior fol- 
lowed Capt. Pike, saying: " Now, father, here is what has been done 
with the hatchet you gave me. I have made the use of it you 
ordered me to do, and found it sharp." 

The events just related are specimens of what occurred at and in 
connection with Detroit from the close of Pontiac's war until a 
number of years after the establishment of American independence. 
When the treaty of peace was signed at Versailles in 1783, the British 
on the frontier reduced their aggressive policy somewhat, but they 
continued to occupy the lake posts until 1796, on the claim that 
the lake region was not designed to be included in the treaty by the 
commissioners, probably on account of their ignorance of the geog- 
raphy of the region. Meanwhile the Indians extensively organized 
for depredation upon the Americans, and continued to harass them 
at every point. 

During this period Alex. McKenzie, an agent of the British gov- 
ernment, visited Detroit, painted like an Indian, and said that he 
was just from the upper lakes, and that the tribes in that region 
were all in arms against any further immigration of Americans, 
and were ready to attack the infant settlements in Ohio. His state- 
ments had the desired effect; and, encouraged also by an agent from 
the Spanish settlements on the Mississippi, the Indians organized a 
great confederacy against the United States. To put this down, 
Gen. Harmar was first sent out by the Government, with 1,400 men; 



48 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

but he imprudently divided his army, and he was taken by surprise 
and defeated by a body of Indians under " Little Turtle." Gen. 
Arthur St. Clair was next sent out, with 2,000 men, and lie suf- 
fered a like fate. Then Gen. Anthony Wayne was sent West with 
a still larger army, and on the Maumee he gained an easy victory 
over the Indians, within a few miles of a British post. He 
finally concluded a treaty with the Indians at Greenville, which 
broke up the whole confederacy. The British soon afterward gave 
up Detroit and Mackinaw. 

" It was a considerable time before the Territory of Michigan, 
now in the possession of the United States, was improved or altered 
by the increase of settlements. The Canadian French continued to 
form the principal part of its population. The interior of the coun- 
try was but little known, except by the Indians and the fur traders. 
The Indian title not being fully extinguished, no lands were 
brought into market, and consequently the settlements increased 
but slowly. The State of Michigan at this time constituted simply 
the county of Wayne in Northwest Territory. It sent one Repre- 
sentative to the Legislature of that Territory, which was held at 
Chillicothe. A court of common pleas was organized for the 
county, and the General Court of the whole Territory sometimes 
met at Detroit. No roads had as yet been constructed through the 
interior, nor were there any settlements except on the frontiers. 
The habits of the people were essentially military, and but little 
attention was paid to agriculture except by the French peasantry. 
A representation was sent to the General Assembly of the North- 
west Territory at Chillicothe until 1800, when Indiana was erected 
into a separate Territory. Two years later Michigan was annexed 
to Indiana Territory; but in 1805 Michigan separated, and William 
Hull appointed its first Governor." — Tuttle's Hist. Mich. 

The British revived the old prejudices that the Americans intended 
to drive the Indians out of the country, and the latter, under 
the lead of Tecumseh and his brother Elkswatawa, " the prophet," 
organized again on an extensive scale to make war upon the Amer- 
icans. The great idea of Tecumseh's life was a universal conted- 
, eracy of all the Indian tribes north and south to resist the invasion 
of the whites; and his plan was to surprise them at all their posts 
throughout the country and capture them by the first assault. At 
this time the entire white population of Michigan was about 4,800, 
four-fifths of whom were French and the remainder Americans. 
The settlements were situated on the rivers Miami and Raisin, on the 
Huron of Lake Erie, on the Ecorse, Rouge and Detroit rivers, on 
the Huron of St. Clair, on the St. Clair river and Mackinaw island. 
Besides, there were here and there a group of huts belonging to the 
French fur traders. The villages on the Maumee, the Raisin and 
the Huron of Lake Erie contained a population of about 1,300; 
the settlements at Detroit and northward had about 2,200; Mack- 
inaw about 1,000. Detroit was garrisoned by 94 men and Mack- 
inaw bv 70. 



kJ 




AT*/* 5 
TRAPPING. 



TECUMSEH. 

If one should inquire who has been the greatest Indian, the most 
noted, the " principal Indian " in North America since its discov- 
ery by Columbus, we would be obliged to answer, Tecumseh. For 
all those qualities which elevate a man far above his race; for talent, 
tact, skill and bravery as a warrior; for high-minded, honorable and 
chivalrous bearing as a man; in a word, for all those elements of 
greatness which place him a long way above his fellows in savage 
life, the name and fame of Tecnmseh will go down to posterity in 
the West as one of the most celebrated of the aborigines of this 
continent, — as one who had no equal among the tribes that dwelt 
in the country drained by the Mississippi. Born to command him- 
self, he used all the appliances that would stimulate the courage 
and nerve the valor of his followers. Always in the front rank of 
battle, his followers blindly followed his lead, and as his war-cry 
rang clear above the din and noise of the battle-field, the Shawnee 
warriors, as they rushed on to victory or the grave, rallied around 
him, foemen worthy of the steel of the most gallant commander 
that ever entered the lists in defense of his altar or his home. 

The tribe to which Tecumseh, or Tecumtha, as some write it, be- 
longed, was the Shawnee, or Shawanee. The tradition of the nation, 
held that they originally came from the Gulf of Mexico; that they 
wended their way up the Mississippi and the Ohio, and settled at 
or near the present site of Shawneetown, 111., whence they removed 
to the upper Wabash. In the latter place, at any rate, they were 
found early in the 18th century, and were known as the " bravest 
of the brave." This tribe has uniformly been the bitter enemy of 
the white man, and in every contest with our people has exhibited 
a degree of skill and strategy that should characterize the most 
dangerous foe. 

Tecnmseh's notoriety and that of his brother, the Prophet, mutu- 
ally served to establish and strengthen each other. While the 
Prophet had unlimited power, spiritual and temporal, he distributed 
his greatness in all the departments of Indian life with a kind of 
fanaticism that magnetically aroused the religious and superstitious 

passions, not only of his own followers, but also of all the tribes in 

(50) 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 51 

this part of the country; but Tecuraseh concentrated his greatness 
upon the more practical and business affairs of military conquest. 
It is doubted whether he was really a sincere believer in the preten- 
sions of his fanatic brother; if he did not believe in the pretentious 
feature of them he had the shrewdness to keep his unbelief to him- 
self, knowing that religious fanaticism was one of the strongest im- 
pulses to reckless bravery. 

During his sojourn in the Northwestern Territory, it was Tecum- 
seh's uppermost desire of life to confederate all the Indian tribes of 
the country together against the whites, to maintain their choice 
hunting-grounds. All his public policy converged toward this sin- 
gle end. In his vast scheme he comprised even all the Indians in 
the Gulf country, — all in America west of the Alleghany moun- 
tains. He held, as a subordinate principle, that the Great Spirit 
had given the Indian race all these hunting-grounds to keep in 
common, and that no Indian or tribe could cede any portion of the 
land to the whites without the consent of all the tribes. Hence, in 
all his councils with the whites he ever maintained that the treaties 
were null and void. 

When he met Harrison at Vincennes in council the last time, 
and, as he was invited by that General to take a seat with him on 
the platform, he hesitated; Harrison insisted, saying that it was the 
"wish of their Great Father, the President of the United States, 
that he should do so." The chief paused a moment, raised his tall 
and commanding form to its greatest height, surveyed the troops 
and crowd around him, fixed his keen eyes upon Gov. Harrison, 
and then turning them to the sky above, and pointing toward 
heaven with his sinewy arm in a manner indicative of supreme 
contempt for the paternity assigned him, said in clarion tones: " My 
father? The sun is my father, the earth is my mother, and on her 
bosom I will recline." He then stretched himself, with his war- 
riors, on the green sward. The effect was electrical, and for some 
moments there was perfect silence. 

The Governor, then, through an interpreter, told him that he un- 
derstood he had some complaints to make and redress to ask, etc., 
and that he wished to investigate the matter and make restitution 
wherever it might be decided it should be done. As soon as the 
Governor was through with this introductory speech, the stately 
warrior arose, tall, athletic, manly, dignified and graceful, and with 
a voice at first low, but distinct and musical, commenced a reply. 
As he warmed up with his subject his clear tones might be heard, 



52 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

as if " trumpet-tongued," to the utmost limits of the assembly. 
The most perfect silence prevailed, except when his warriors gave 
their guttural assent to some eloquent recital of the red man's 
wrong and the white man's injustice. Tecumseh recited the wrongs 
which his race had suffered from the time of the massacre of the 
Moravian Indians to the present; said he did not know how he 
could ever again be the friend of the white man; that the Great 
Spirit had given to the Indian all the land from the Miami to the 
Mississippi, and from the lakes to the Ohio, as a common property 
to all the tribes in these borders, and that the land could not and 
should not be sold without the consent of all; that all the tribes on 
the continent formed but one nation; that if the United States 
would not give up the lands they had bought of the Miamis and 
the other tribes, those united with him were determined to annihi- 
late those tribes; that they were determined to have no more chiefs, 
but in future to be governed by their warriors; that unless the 
whites ceased their encroachments upon Indian lands, the fate of 
the Indians was sealed ; they had been, driven from the banks of 
the Delaware across the Alleghanies, and their possessions on the 
Wabash and the Illinois were now to be taken from them; that in 
a few years they would not have ground enough to bury their war- 
riors on this side of the "Father of Waters;" that all would perish, 
all their possessions taken from them by fraud or force, unless they 
stopped the progress of the white man westward; that it must be 
a war of races in which one or the other must perish; that their 
tribes had been driven toward the setting sun like a galloping 
horse (ne-kat a-kush-e ka-top-o-lin-to). 

The Shawnee language, in which this most eminent Indian states- 
man spoke, excelled all other aboriginal tongues in its musical ar- 
ticulation; and the effect of Tecumseh's oratory on this occasion 
can be more easily imagined than described. Gov. Harrison, 
although as brave a soldier and General as any American, was over- 
come by this speech. He well knew Tecumseh's power and influ- 
ence among all the tribes, knew his bravery, courage and determi- 
nation, and knew that he meant what he said. When Tecumseh 
was done speaking there was a stillness throughout the assembly 
which was really painful; not a whisper was heard, and all eyes were 
turned from the speaker toward Gov. Harrison, who after a few 
moments came to himself, and recollecting many of the absurd 
statements of the great Indian orator, began a reply which was 
more logical, if not so eloquent. The Shawnees were attentive un- 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 53 

til Harrison's interpreter began to translate his speech to the Mia- 
inis and Pottawatomies, when Tecumseh and his warriors sprang 
to their feet, brandishing their war-cl nbs and tomahawks. "Tell 
him," said Tecumseh, addressing the interpreter in Shawnee, " he 
lies." The interpreter undertook to convey this message to the 
Governor in smoother language, but Tecumseh noticed the effort 
and remonstrated, " No, no; tell him belies." The warriors began 
to grow more excited, when Secretary Gibson ordered the Ameri- 
can troops in arms to advance. This allayed the rising storm, and 
as soon as Tecumseh's " He lies " was literally interpreted to the 
Governor, the latter told Tecumseh through the interpreter to tell 
Tecumseh he would hold no further council with him. 

Thus the assembly was broken up, and one can hardly imagine a 
more exciting scene. It would constitute the finest subject for a 
historical painting to adorn the rotunda of the capitol. The next 
day Tecumseh requested another interview with the Governor, 
which was granted on condition that he should make an apology to 
the Governor for his language the day before. This he made 
through the interpreter. Measures for defense and protection were 
taken, however, lest there should be another outbreak. Two com- 
panies of militia were ordered from the country, and the one in 
town added to them, while the Governor and his friends went into 
council fully armed and prepared for any contingency. On this oc- 
casion the conduct of Tecumseh was entirely different from that of 
the day before. Firm and intrepid, showing not the slightest fear 
or alarm, surrounded with a military force four times his own, he 
preserved the utmost composure and equanimity. No one would 
have supposed that he could have been the principal actor in the 
thrilling scene of the previous day. He claimed that half the 
Americans were in sympathy with him. He also said that whites 
had informed him that Gov. Harrison had purchased land from the 
Indians without any authority from the Government; that he, 
Harrison, had but two years more to remain in office, and that if 
he, Tecumseh, could prevail upon the Indians who sold the lands 
not to receive their annuities for that time, and the present Gover- 
nor displaced by a good man as his successor, the latter would re- 
store to the Indians all the lands purchased from them. 

The Wyandots, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Ottawasand the Win- 
nebagoes, through their respective spokesmen, declared their 
adherence to the great Shawnee warrior and statesman. Gov. Harri- 
son then told them that he would send Tecumseh's speech to thePresi- 



54 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

dent of the United States and return the answer to the Indians as soon 
as it was received. Tecumseh then declared that he and his allies were 
determined that the old boundary line should continue; and that 
if the whites crossed it, it would be at their peril . Gov. Harrison re- 
plied that he would be equally plain with him and state that the 
President would never allow that the lands on the Wabash were the 
property of any other tribes than those who had occupied them 
since the white people first came to America; and as the title to 
the lands lately purchased was derived from those tribes by a fair 
purchase, he might rest assured that the right of the United States 
would be supported by the sword. " So be it," was the stern and 
haughty reply of the Shawnee chieftan, as he and his braves took 
leave of the Governor and wended their way in Indian file to their 
camping ground. 

Thus ended the last conference on earth between the chivalrous 
Tecumseh and the hero of the battle of Tippecanoe. The bones of 
the first lie bleaching on the battle-field of the Thames, and those 
of the last in a mausoleum on the banks of the Ohio; each strug- 
gled for the mastery of his race, and each no doubt was equally 
honest and patriotic in his purposes. The weak yielded to the 
strong, the defenseless to the powerful, and the hunting-ground of 
the Shawnee is all occupied by his enemy. 

Tecumseh, with four of his braves, immediately embarked in a 
birch canoe, descended the Wabash, and went on to the South to 
unite the tribes of that country in a general system of self-defense 
against the encroachment of the whites. His emblem was a dis- 
jointed snake, with the motto, "Join or die!" In union alone was 
strength. 

Before Tecumseh left the Prophet's town at the mouth of the 
Tippecanoe river, on his excursion to the South, he had a definite 
understanding with his brother and the chieftains of the other tribes 
in the Wabash country, that they should preserve perfect peace 
with the whites until his arrangements were completed for a con- 
federacy of the tribes on both sides of the Ohio and on the Missis- 
sippi river; but it seems that while he was in the South engaged 
in his work of uniting the tribes of that country some of the North- 
ern tribes showed signs of fight and precipitated Harrison into that 
campaign which ended in the battle of Tippecanoe and the total 
route of the Indians. Tecumseh, on his return from the South, 
learning what had happened, was overcome with chagrin, disappoint- 
ment and anger, and accused his brother of duplicity and coward- 




TECl'MSEH. 



56 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

ice; indeed, it is said that he never forgave him to the day of his 
death. A short time afterward, on the breaking out of the war of 
Great Britain, he joined Proctor, at Maiden, with a party of his 
warriors, and was killed at the battle of the Thames, Oct. 5, 1813, 
by a Mr. Wheatty, as we are positively informed by Mr. A. J. James, 
now a resident of La Harpe township, Hancock county, 111., whose 
father-in-law, John Pigman, of Coshocton county, Ohio, was an 
eye witness. Gen. Johnson has generally had the credit of killing 
Tecum seh. 

OKEMOS. 

" Old " Okemos, a nephew of Pontiac and once the chief of the 
Chippewas, was born at or near Knagg's Station, on the Shiawassee 
river, where the Chicago and Grand Trunk Railroad crosses that 
stream. The date is shrouded in mystery. At the time of his 
death he was said to be a centenarian. The earliest account we have 
of him is that he took the war-path in 1796. Judge Littlejohn, x in 
his " Legends of the Northwest," introduces him to the reader in 
1803. The battle of Sandusky, in which Okemos took an active 
part, was the great event of his life, and this it was that gave him 
his chieftainship and caused him to be revered by his tribe. Con- 
cerning that event he himself used to say: 

" Myself and cousin, Man-a-to-corb-way, with 16 other braves 
enlisted under the British flag, formed a scouting or war party, left 
the upper Raisin, and made our rendezvous at Sandusky. One 
morning while lying in ambush near a road lately cut for the pas- 
sage of the American army and supply wagons, we saw 20 cavalry- 
men approaching us. Our ambush was located on a slight ridge, 
with brush directly in our front. We immediately decided to 
attack the Americans, although they outnumbered us. Our plan 
was first to fire and cripple them, and then make a dash with the 
tomahawk. We waited until they approached so near that we 
could count the buttons on their coats, when firing commenced. 
The cavalry-men with drawn sabers immediately charged upon the 
Indians. The plumes upon the hats of the cavalry-men looked like 
a flock of a thousand pigeons just hovering for a lighting." 

Okemos and his cousin fought side by side, loading and firing 
while dodging from one cover to another. In less than ten minutes 
after the firing began the sound of a bugle was heard, and casting 
their eyes in the direction of the sound, they saw the road and 
woods filled with cavalry. The small party of Indians were 
immediately surrounded and every man cut down. All were left 
for dead on the field. Okemos and his cousin both had their skulls 
cloven and their bodies gashed in a fearful manner. The cavalry- 
men, before leaving the field, in order to be sure life was extinct, 
would lean forward from their horses and pierce the chests of the 
Indians, even into their lungs. The last that Okemos remembered 
was that after emptying one saddle, and springing toward another 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 57 

soldier with clubbed rifle raised to strike, his head felt as if it were 
pierced with red-hot iron, and he went down from a heavy saber-cut. 
All knowledge ceased from this time until many moons afterward, 
when he found himself being nursed by the squaws of his friends, 
who had found him on the battle-field two or three days afterward. 
The squaws thought all were dead, but upon moving the bodies of 
Okemos and. his cousin, signs of life appeared, and they were taken 
to a place of safety and finally restored to partial health. Okemos 
never afterward took part in war, this battle having satisfied him 
that " white man was a heap powerful." 

Shortly after his recovery he solicited Col. Godfroy to intercede 
with Gen. Cass, and he and other chiefs made a treaty with the 
Americans, which was faithfully kept. 

The next we hear of the old chieftain, he had settled with his 
tribe on the banks of the Shiawassee, near the place of his birth, 
where for many years, up to 1837-'8, he was engaged in the peace- 
ful vocation of hunting, fishing and trading with the white man. 
About this time the small-pox broke out in his tribe, which, 
together with the influx of white settlers who destroyed their hunt- 
ing-grounds, scattered their bands. The plaintive, soft notes of the 
wooing young hunter's flute, made of red alder, and the sound of 
the tom-tom at council fires and village feasts were heard no more 
along the banks of our inland streams. Okemos became a mendi- 
cant, and many a hearty meal has the old Indian received from his 
friends among the whites. He was five feet four inches high, lithe, 
wiry, active, intelligent and possessed undoubted bravery ; but in con- 
versation he hesitated and mumbled his words. Previous to the 
breaking up of his band in 1837-'8, his usual dress consisted of a 
blanket coat with belt, steel pipe, hatchet, tomahawk and a heavy, 
long, English hunting-knife stuck in his belt in front, with a large 
bone handle prominent outside the sheath. He painted his cheeks 
and forehead with vermilion, wore a shawl around his head turban 
fashion, and leggins. He died at his wigwam a few miles from 
Lansing, and was buried Dec. 5, 1858, at Shimnieon, an Indian 
settlement in Ionia county. His coffin was extremely rude, and in 
it were placed a pipe, tobacco, hunting-knife, bird's wings, pro- 
visions, etc. An ambrotype picture was taken of this eminent 
Indian in 1857, and has ever since been in the possession of O. A. 
Jenisou at Lansing, from whom we obtain the above account. 

bull's surrender. 

Now we have to record an unexplained mystery, which no his- 
torian of Michigan can omit, namely, the surrender of Detroit to 
the British by Gen. Hull, when his forces were not in action and 
were far more powerful than the enemy. He was either a coward 
or a traitor, or both. The commander of the British forces, Gen. 
Brock, triumphantly took possession of the fort, left a small garri- 
son under Col. Proctor, and returned to the seat of his government. 



58 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

In 12 days he had moved with a small army 250 miles against the 
enemy, effected the surrender of a strong fort and well equipped 
army of 2,300 effective men, and one of the Territories of the 
United States. Hull and the regular troops were taken to Mon- 
treal, and the militia were sent to their homes. 

In the capitulation Gen. Hall also surrendered Fort Dearborn at 
Chicago, commanding Capt. Heald of that place to evacuate and 
retreat to Fort Wayne. In obedience to this order the Captain 
started from the fort with his forces; but no sooner were they out- 
side the walls than they were attacked by a large force of Indians, 
who took them prisoners and then proceeded to massacre them, 
killing 38 out of the 60 soldiers, even some of the women and 
children, two of the former and 12 of the latter. Capt. Wells, a 
white man who had been brought up among the Indians, but 
espoused the white man's cause, was killed in the massacre. 

Jan. 3, 1814, Gen. Hull appeared before a court-martial at Albany, 
1ST. Y., where Gen. Dearborn was president. The accused made no 
objection to the constitution and jurisdiction of this court; its ses- 
sions were protracted and every facility was given the accused to 
make his defense. The three charges against him were treason, 
cowardice and neglect of duty. Hull was finally acquitted of the 
high crime of treason, but he was found guilty of the other charges 
and sentenced to be shot; but by reason of his services in the 
Revolution and his advanced age the court recommended him to 
the mercy of the President, who approved the finding of the court 
but remitted the execution of the sentence and dismissed Hull 
from the service. The accused wrote a long defense, in which he 
enumerates many things too tedious to relate here. Even before 
he was sent to Detroit he was rather opposed to the policy of the 
Government toward the British of Canada; and, besides, he had 
been kindly treated by British officers, who helped him across the 
frontier. Again, the general Government was unreasonably slow 
to inform the General of the declaration of war which had been 
made against Great Britain, and very slow to forward troops and 
supplies. Many things can be said on both sides; but historians 
generally approve the judgment of the court in his case, as well 
as of the executive clemency of the President. 

perry's victory. 

The lake communication of Michigan with the East, having 
been in the hands of the British since Hull's surrender, was cut off 
by Com. Perry, who obtained a signal naval victory over the British 
on Lake Erie Sept. 10, 1813. The Commodore built his fleet at 
Erie, Pa., under great disadvantages. The bar at the mouth of the 
harbor would not permit the vessels to pass out with their arma- 
ment on board. For some time after the fleet was ready to sail, 
the British commodore continued to hover off the harbor, well know- 
ing it must either remain there inactive or venture out with almost 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 59 

a certainty of defeat. During this blockade, Com. Perry bad no 
alternative but to ride at anchor at Erie; but early in September 
the enemy relaxed his vigilance and withdrew to the upper end of 
the lake. Perry then slipped out beyond the bar and fitted his ves- 
sels for action. The British fleet opposed to Com. Perry consisted 
of the ships " Detroit," carrying 19 guns; the "Queen Charlotte," 
17 guns; the schooner "Lady Prevost," 13 guns; the brig "Hun- 
ter," ten guns; the sloop "Little Belt," three guns; and the 
schooner "Chippewa," one gun and two swivels; and this fleet was 
commanded by a veteran officer of tried skill and valor. 

At sunrise, Sept. 10, while at anchor at Put-in-Bay, the Commo- 
dore espied the enemy toward the head of the lake, aud he imme- 
diately sailed up and commenced action. His flag vessel, the 
Lawrence, was engaged with the whole force of the enemy for 
nearly two hours before the wind permitted the other vessels to 
come in proper position to help. The crew of this vessel continued 
the fight until every one of them was either killed or wounded, all 
the rigging torn to pieces and every gun dismantled. Now comes 
the daring feat of the engagement which makes Perry a hero. He 
caused his boat to be lowered, in which he rowed to the Niagara 
amid the storm of shot and shell raging around him. This vessel 
he sailed through the enemy's fleet with a swelling breeze, pouring 
in her broadsides upon their ships and forcing them to surrender in 
rapid succession, until all were taken. The smaller vessels of his 
fleet helped in this action, among which was one commanded by 
the brave and faithful Capt. Elliott. This victory was one of the 
most decisive in all the annals of American history. It opened 
the lake to Gen. Wm. H. Harrison, who had been operating in 
Indiana and Ohio, and who now crossed with his army to Canada, 
where he had a short campaign, terminated by the battle of the 
Moravian towns, by which the enemy were driven from the north- 
western frontier. A detachment of his array occupied Detroit 
Sept. 29, 1813, and Oct. 18 an armistice was concluded with the 
Indians, thus restoring tranquillity to the Territory of Michigan. 
Soon afterward Gen. Harrison left Gen. Cass in command at 
Detroit and moved with the main body of his army down to the 
Niagara frontier. 

Perry's brilliant success gave to the Americans the uncontrolled 
command of the lake, and Sept. 23 their fleet landed 1,200 
men near Maiden. Col. Proctor, however, had previously evac- 
uated that post, after setting fire to the fort and public store- 
houses. Com. Perry in the meantime passed up to Detroit with 
the " Ariel " to assist in the occupation of that town, while Capt. 
Elliott, with the "Lady Prevost," the "Scorpion," and the 
" Tigress," advanced into Lake St. Clair to intercept the enemy's 
stores. Thus Gen. Harrison, on his arrival at Detroit and Maiden, 
found both places abandoned by the enetny, and was met by the 
Canadians asking for his protection. Tecumseh proposed to the 
British commander that they should hazard an engagement at Mai- 



60 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

den; but the latter foresaw that he should be exposed to the fire of 
the American fleet in that position, and therefore resolved to march 
to the Moravian towns upon the Thames, near St. Clair lake, 
above Detroit, and there try the chance of a battle. His force at 
this time consisted of about 900 regular troops, and 1,500 Indians 
commanded by Tecumseh. The American army amounted to 
about. 2,700 men, of whom 120 were regulars, a considerable number 
of militia, about 30 Indians, and the remainder Kentucky riflemen, 
well mounted, and mainly young men, full of ardor, and burning 
with a desire to revenge the massacre of their friends and relatives 
at the River Raisin. 

During the following winter there were no military movements, 
except an incursion into the interior of the upper province by 
Maj. Holmes, who was attacked near Stony creek, and maintained 
his ground with bravery. 

CLOSE OF THE WAR. 

The war with Great Britain was now (November, 1813) practi- 
cally closed, so far as the Northwest was concerned, but the post at 
Mackinaw yet remained in the hands of the enemy, and active steps 
were taken to dispossess the English of this point and drive them 
wholly from the domain of the United States. The first effort to 
start an expedition failed; but in the summer of 1811 a well- 
equipped force of two sloops of war, several schooners and 750 
land militia, under the command of Com. Sinclair and Lieut.-Col. 
Croghan, started for the north. Contrary, however, to the advice 
of experienced men, the commanders concluded to visit St. Joseph 
first, and the British at Mackinaw heard of their coming and pre- 
pared themselves. The consequence was a failure to take the place. 
Major Holmes was killed, and the Winnebago Indians, from Green 
Bay, allies of the British, actually cut out the heart and livers 
from the American slain and cooked and ate them! Com. Sin- 
clair afterward made some arrangements to starve out the post, but 
his vessels were captured and the British then remained secure in 
the possession of the place until the treaty of peace the following 
winter. 

The war with England formally closed on Dec. 24, 1814, when a 
treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. The 9th article of the treaty 
required the United States to put an end to hostilities with all 
tribes or nations of Indians with whom they had been at war; to 
restore to such tribes or nations respectively all the rights and pos- 
sessions to which they were entitled in 1811, before the war, on 
condition that such Indians should agree to desist from all hostili- 
ties against the United States. But in February, just before the 
treaty was sanctioned by our Government, there were signs of 
Indians accumulating arms and ammunition, and a cautionary 
order was therefore issued to have all the white forces in readiness 
for an attack by the Indians; but the attack was not made. During 




PONTIAC . 



62 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the ensuing summer and fall the United States Government ac- 
quainted the Indians with the provisions of the treaty, and 
entered into subordinate treaties of peace with the principal tribes. 
Just before the treaty of Spring Wells (near Detroit) was signed, 
the Shawanee Prophet retired to Canada, declaring his resolu- 
tion to abide by any treaty which the chiefs might sign. Some 
time afterward he returned to the Shawanee settlement in Ohio, 
and lastly to the west of the Mississippi, where he died, in 1834. 
The British Government allowed him a pension from 1813 until 
his death. 

POLITICAL. 

Previous to the formation of the Northwestern Territory, the 
country within its bounds was claimed by several of the Eastern 
States, on the ground that it was included within the limits indicated 
by their charters from the English crown. In answer to the wishes of 
the Government and people, these States in a patriotic spirit 
surrendered their claims to this extensive territory, that it might 
constitute a common fund to aid in the payment of the national 
debt. To prepare the way for this cession, a law had been passed 
in October, 1780, that the territory so to be ceded should be dis- 
posed of for the common benefit of the whole Union; that the 
States erected therein should be of suitable extent, not less than 100 
nor more than 150 miles square; and that any expenses that might 
be incurred in recovering the posts then in the hands of the 
British should be reimbursed. New York released her claims to 
Congress March 1, 1781; Virginia, March 1, 1784; Massachusetts, 
April 19, 1785, and Connecticut, Sept. 4, 1786. 

Under the French and British dominion the points occupied on 
the eastern boundary of what'is now the State of Michigan were 
considered a part of New France, or Canada. Detroit was known 
to the French as Fort Pontchartrain. The military commandant, 
under both governments, exercised a civil jurisdiction over the 
settlements surrounding their posts. In 1796, when the British 
garrisons at Detroit and Mackinaw were replaced by detachments 
by Gen.Wayne, Michigan became a part of the Northwestern Ter- 
ritory and was organized as the county of Wayne, entitled to one 
Representative in the General Assembly, held at Chillicothe. 

In 1800, Indiana was made a separate Territory, embracing all 
the country west of the present State of Ohio and of an extension 
of the western line of that State due north to the territorial limits 
ot the United States; in 1802, the peninsula was annexed to the 
Territory of Indiana, and in 1805 Michigan began a separate exist- 
ence. That part of the Territory that lies east of a north and south 
line through the middle of Lake Michigan was formed into a dis- 
tinct government, and the provisions of the ordinance of 1787 con- 
tinued to regulate it. Under this constitution the executive power 
was invested in a governor, the judicial in three judges, and the 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 63 

legislative in both united; the officers were appointed by the gen- 
eral Government, and their legislative authority was restricted to 
the adoption of laws from codes of the several States. This form of 
government was to continue until the Territory should contain 5,000 
free white males of full age. It then became optional with the peo- 
ple to choose a legislative body, to be supported by them; but sub- 
sequent legislation b} r Congress more liberally provided a Legislature 
at the expense of the general Government and also added to privi- 
leges in the elective franchise and eligibility to office; as, for exam- 
ple, under the ordinance a freehold qualification was required, both 
on the part of the elector and of the elected. 

The first officers of the Territory of Michigan were: Wm. Hull, 
Governor; Augustus B. Woodward, Chief Judge; Frederick Bates, 
Sr., Assistant Judge and Treasurer; John Griffin, Assistant Judge; 
Col. James May, Marshal; Abijah Hull, Surveyor; Peter Audrain, 
Clerk of the Legislative Board. May 5, 1807, Joseph Watson was 
appointed Legislative secretary; in November, 1806, Elijah Brush 
was appointed treasurer, to succeed Mr. Bates, and the books of the 
office were delivered over on the 26th of that month, and William 
McDowell Scott was appointed marshal in November, 1806, to suc- 
ceed Col. May. The latter never held the office of judge of the 
Territory, but about 1800-'3 he was chief justice of the court of 
common pleas. 

Augustus Brevoort Woodward was a native of Virginia; was 
appointed a judge of the Territory in 1805, his term of office expir- 
ing Feb. 1, 1824. He was soon after appointed judge of the Terri- 
tory of Florida, and three years after that he died. The grand 
scheme of "Catholepistemiad," or State University of Michigan, 
with its numerous details described under sesquipedalian names 
from the Greek, owed its origin to Judge Woodward. 

John Griffin was appointed assistant judge in 1807, his term of 
office expiring Feb. 1, 1824. He was a native of Virginia, and died 
in Philadelphia about 1840. 

James Witherell was a native of Massachusetts; was appointed a 
judge of the Territory April 23, 1808, his term of office expiring 
Feb. 1, 1824, when he was re-appointed for four years, and Feb. 1, 
1828, he was appointed Territorial secretary. 

When in 1818 Illinois was admitted into the Union, all the terri- 
tory lying north of that State and of Indiana was annexed to Mich- 
igan. In 1819, the Territory was authorized to elect a delegate to 
Congress, according to the present usage with reference to Terri- 
tories; previous to this time, according to the ordinance 1787, a 
Territory was not entitled to a delegate until it entered upon the 
" second grade of Government," and the delegate was then to be 
chosen by the General Assembly. 

In 1823 Congress abolished the legislative power of the governor 
and judges, and granted more enlarged ones to a council, to be 
composed of nine persons selected by the President of the United 



64 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

States from eighteen chosen by the electors of the Territory; and by 
this law, also, eligibility to office was made co-extensive with the 
right of suffrage as established by the act of 1819; also the judicial 
term of office was limited to four years. In 1825 all county officers, 
except those of a judicial nature, were made elective, and the 
appointments which remained in the hands of the executive were 
made subject to the approval of the legislative council. In 1827 
the electors were authorized to choose a number of persons for the 
legislative council, which was empowered to enact all laws not incon- 
sistent with the ordinance of 1787. Their acts, however, were sub- 
ject to abolishment by Congress and to veto by the territorial 
executives. 

"When Gen. Wm. Hull arrived at Detroit to assume his official 
duties as Governor, he found the town in ruins, it having been 
destroyed by fire. Whether it had been burned by design or acci- 
dent was not known. The inhabitants were without food and shel- 
ter, camping in the open fields; still they were not discouraged, and 
soon commenced rebuilding their houses on the same site; Congress 
also kindly granted the sufferers the site of the old town of Detroit 
and 10,000 acres of land adjoining. A territorial militia was organ- 
ized, and a code of laws was adopted similar to those of the original 
States. This code was signed by Gov. Hull, Augustus B. Wood- 
ward and Frederick Bates, judges of the Territory, and was called 
the " Woodward code." 

At this time the bounds of the Territory embraced all the coun- 
try on the American side of the Detroit river, east of the north and 
south line through the center of Lake Michigan. The Indian land 
claims had been partially extinguished previous to this period. By 
the treaty of Fort Mcintosh in 1785, and that of Fort Harmar in 
1787, extensive cessions had been either made or confirmed, and in 
1807 the Indian titles to several tracts became entirely extinct. 
Settlements having been made under the French and English gov- 
ernments, with irregularity or absence of definite surveys and 
records, some confusion sprang up in regard to the titles to valuable 
tracts. Accordingly Congress established a Board of Commission- 
ers to examine and settle these conflicting claims, and in 1807 
another act was passed, confirming, to a certain extent, the titles 
of all such as had been in possession of the lands then occupied by 
them from the year 1796, the year of the final evacuation by the 
British garrisons. Other acts were subsequently passed, extending 
the same conditions to the settlements on the upper lakes. 

As chief among the fathers of this State we may mention Gen. 
Lewis Cass, Stevens T. Mason, Augustus B. Woodward, John 
Norvell, Wm. Woodbridge, John Biddle, Wm. A. Fletcher, Elon 
Farnsworth, Solomon Sibley, Benj. B. Kircheval, John R. Wil- 
liams, George Morrell, Daniel Goodwin, Augustus S. Porter, Benj. 
F. H. Witherell, Jonathan Shearer and Charles C. Trowbridge, all 
of Wayne county; Edmund Munday, James Kingsley and Alpheus 
Felch, of Washtenaw; Ross Wilkins and John J. Adam, of Lena- 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 65 

wee; Warner "Wing, Charles Xoble and Austin E. Wing, of Monroe 
county; Randolph Manning, O. D. Richardson and James B. Hunt, 
of Oakland; Henry R. Schoolcraft, of Chippewa; Albert Miller, of 
the Saginaw Valley; John Stockton and Robert P. Eldridge, of 
Macomb; Lucius Lyon, Charles E. Stuart, Edwin H. Lothrop, 
Epaphroditus Ransom and Hezekiah G. Wells, of Kalamazoo; Isaac 
E. Crary, John D. Pierce and Oliver C. Comstock, of Calhoun; 
Kinsley S. Bingham, of Livingston; John S Barry, of St. Joseph; 
Charles W. Whipple, Calvin Britain and Thomas Fitzgerald, of 
Berrien; and George Redfield, of Cass. These men and their com- 
peers shaped the policy of the State, and decided what should be 
its future. They originated all and established most of the great 
institutions which are the evidences of our advanced civilization, 
and of which we are so justly proud. 

ADMINISTRATION OF GEN. CASS. 

At the close of the war with Great Britain in 1814, an era of 
prosperity dawned upon the infant territory. Gen. Lewis Cass, who 
had served the Government with great distinction during the war, 
was appointed Governor. The condition of the people was very 
much reduced, the country was wild, and the British flag still waved 
over the fort at Mackinaw. There was nothing inviting to immi- 
grants except the mere facts of the close of the war and the exist- 
ence of a fertile soil and a good climate. The Indians were still 
dangerous, and the country was still comparatively remote from 
the centers of civilization and government. Such a set of circum- 
stances was just the proper environment for the development of 
all those elements of the " sturdy pioneer " which we so often 
admire in writing up Western history. Here was the field for 
stout and brave men; here was the place for the birth and educa- 
tion of real Spartan men, — men of strength, moral courage and 
indomitable perseverance. 

At first, Gen. Cass had also the care of a small portion of Canada 
opposite Detroit, and he had only 27 soldiers for defending Detroit 
against the hostile Indians and carrying on the whole government. 
Believing that a civil governor should not be encumbered also with 
military duty, he resigned his brigadier-generalship in the army. 
But as Governor he soon had occasion to exercise his military 
power, even to act on the field as commander, in chasing away 
marauding bands of Indians. The latter seemed to be particularly 
threatening at this time, endeavoring to make up in yelling and 
petty depredations what they lacked in sweeping victory over all 
*he pale-faces. 

In times of peace Gov. Cass had high notions of civilizing the 
Indians, encouraging the purchase of their lands, limiting their 
hunting grounds to a narrow compass, teaching them agriculture 
and mechanics and providing the means for their instruction and 
religious training. The policy of the French and English had been 

5 



66 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

to pacify them with presents and gewgaws, merely to obtain a tem- 
porary foothold for the purpose of carrying on the fur trade. Those 
benefited by the trade lived thousands of miles away and had no 
interest in the permanent development of the country. The United 
States Government, on the other hand, indorsed Gov. Cass' policy, 
which was to result in the development of the wealth of the country 
and the establishment of all the arts of peace'. Gens. Cass and 
Harrison were accordingly empowered to treat with the Indians 
on the Miami and Wabash; and July 20 a treaty was signed with 
the Wyandots, Senecas, Shawnees, Miatnis and Delawares, which 
restored comparative tranquillity. During the summer, however, 
there was Indian war enough to call out all of Gov. Cass' men, in 
aid of Gen. Brown on the Niagara. Indians can never remain long 
at peace, whatever may be the obligations they assume in treaty- 
making. Gov. Cass often headed his forces in person and drove the 
hostile tribes from place to place until they finally retreated to 
Saginaw. 

An attempt was made to recover Mackinaw from the English in 
July of this year (181.4), but the British works were too strong; how- 
ever, the establishments at St. Joseph and at Sault Ste. Marie were 
destroyed. In the following winter the final treaty of peace was 
ratified between England and the United States. The population 
of the territory at this time was not over 5,000 or 6,000, scattered 
over a vast extent, and in a state of great destitution on account of 
the calamities of war. Scarcely a family, on resuming the duties 
of home, found more than the remnants of former wealth and com- 
fort. Families had been broken up and dispersed; parents had 
been torn from their children, and children from each other; some 
had been slain on the battle-field, and others had been massacred 
by the ruthless savages. Laws had become a dead letter, and 
morals had suffered in the general wreck. Agriculture had been 
almost abandoned and commerce paralyzed; food and all necessa- 
ries of life were scarce, and luxuries unknown. Money was difficult 
to get, and the bank paper of Ohio, which was almost the sole cir- 
culating medium, was 25 per cent below par. 

Such was the gloomy state of domestic affairs when Gen. Cass 
assumed the office of governor. Besides, he had the delicate task 
of aiding in legislation and of being at the same time the sole exec- 
utive of the law. In 1817 he made an important treaty with the 
Indians, by which their title was extinguished to nearly all the land 
in Ohio, and a great portion in Indiana and Michigan. This treaty 
attached the isolated population of Michigan to the State of Ohio, 
made theTerritorial government in a fuller sense an integral mem- 
ber of the federal Union, and removed all apprehension of a hostile 
confederacy among the Indian tribes along the lake and river 
frontier. 

Hitherto there had not been a road in Michigan, except the mili- 
tary road along the Detroit river; but as the Indian settlements and 
lands could not now be interposed as a barrier, Gen. Cass called the 



68 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

attention of Congress to the necessity of a military road from 
Detroit to Sandusky, through a trackless morass called the black 
swamp. 

In the summer of this year, the first newspaper published in 
Michigan was started at Detroit. It was called the Detroit Gazette, 
and was published by Messrs. Sheldon & Reed, two enterprising 
young men, the former of whom published an interesting and val- 
uable early history of Michigan. 

The " Western Sun " was the first newspaper published in the 
Indiana Territory, now comprising the four great States of Indiana, 
Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, and the second in all that country 
once known as the " Northwestern Territory." It was commenced 
at Vincennes in 1803, by Elihu Stout, of Kentucky, and first called 
the Indiana Gazette, and July 4, 1804, was changed to the West- 
ern Sun. Mr. Stout continued the paper until 1845, amid many 
discouragements, when he was appointed postmaster at the place, 
and he sold out the office. 

May 6, 1812, Congress passed an act requiring that 2,000,000 
acres of land should be surveyed in the Territory of Louisiana, the 
same amount in the Territory of Illinois, and the same amount in 
the Territory of Michigan, in all 6,000,000 acres, to be set apart for 
the soldiers in the war with Great Britain. Each soldier was to 
have 160 acres of land, tit for cultivation. The surveyors under this 
law reported that there were no lands in Michigan fit for cultiva- 
tion! This unconscionable report deterred immigration for many 
years, and the Government took the whole 6,000,000 acres from 
Illinois and Missouri. The language of that report is so remark- 
able that we must quote it: 

" The country on the Indian boundary line, from the mouth of 
the Great Auglaize river and running thence for about 50 miles, is 
(with some few exceptions) low, wet land, with a very thick growth 
of underbrush, intermixed with very bad marshes, but generally 
very heavily timbered with beech, cotton wood, oak, etc.; thence 
continuing north and extending from the Indian boundary east- 
ward, the number and extent of the swamps increase, with the 
addition of numbers of lakes, from 20 chains to two and three miles 
across. Many of the lakes have extensive marshes adjoining their 
margins, sometimes thickly covered with a species of pine called 
' tamarack,' and other places covered with a coarse, high grass, 
and uniformly covered from six inches to three feet (and more at 
times) with water. The margins of these lakes are not the only 
places where swamps are found, for they are interspersed through- 
out the whole country and tilled with water, as above stated, and 
varying in extent. The intermediate space between these swamp* 
and lakes, which is probably near one-half of the country, is, with a 
very few exceptions, a poor, barren, sandy land on which scarcely 
any vegetation grows except very small, scrubby oaks. In many 
places that part which may be called dry land is composed of little, 
short sand-hills, forming a kind of deep basins, the bottoms of many 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 69 

of which are composed of a marsh similar to the above described. 
The streams are generally narrow, and very deep compared with 
their width, the shores and bottoms of which are, with a very few 
exceptions, swampy beyond description; and it is with the utmost 
difficulty that a place can be found over which horses can be con- 
veyed with safety. 

" A circumstance peculiar to that country is exhibited in many 
of the marshes by their being thinly covered with a sward of grass, 
by walking on which evinced the existence of water or a very thin 
mud immediately under their covering, which sinks from six to 
eighteen inches from the pressure of the foot at every step, and at 
the same time rising before and behind the person passing over. 
The margins of many of the lakes and streams are in a similar 
situation, and in many places are literally afloat. On approaching 
the eastern part of the military lands, toward the private claims on 
the straights and lake, the country does not contain so many swamps 
and lakes, but the extreme sterility and barrenness of the soil con- 
tinues the same. Taking the country altogether, so far as has been 
explored, and to all appearances, together with the information 
received concerning the balance, it is so bad there would not be 
more than one acre out of a hundred, if there would be one out 
of a thousand, that would in any case admit of cultivation." 

It is probable that those Government surveyors made a lazy job 
of their duty and depended almost entirely upon the fur traders, 
who were interested in keeping settlers out of the country. But we 
must make allowance, too, for the universal ignorance existing at 
that time of the methods of developing the Western country which 
modern invention has brought to bear since the days of our fore- 
fathers. We must remember that our Western prairies were counted 
worth nothing, even by all the early settlers. 

By the year 1818 some immigrants crowded in and further 
explored and tested the land; and in March, this year, Gov. Cass 
called for the views of the inhabitants upon the question of chang- 
ing the civil authority by entering upon the second grade of Terri- 
torial government. A vote was taken and a majority were found 
to be against it; but for the purpose of facilitating immigration and 
settlement, Gov. Cass recommended to the Secretary of the Treasury 
that the lands in the district of Detroit be at once brought into 
market. The department immediately complied, and the lands 
were offered for sale the following autumn. Immigration was now 
increased more than ever before, and the permanent growth of the 
country became fully established. 

In 1819 the people were allowed to elect a delegate to Congress. 
The population was now 8,806 in the whole Territory, distributed as 
follows: Detroit, 1,450, not including the garrison; the Island of 
Mackinaw, still the entrepot of the fur trade, a stationary popu- 
lation of about 450, sometimes increased to 2,000 or over; Sault 
Ste. Marie, 15 or 20 houses, occupied by French and English 
families. 



70 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

. The year 1819 was also rendered memorable by the appearance 
of the tirst steamboat on the lakes, the " Walk-in-the-water," which 
came np Lake Erie and went on to Mackinaw. 

Up to this time no executive measures had been taken by the 
people to avail themselves of the school lands appropriated by the 
ordinance of 1787, except the curious act passed by the Governor 
and judges establishing the ''Catholepistemiad," or University of 
Michigan, with 13 " didaxia," or professorships. The scheme for 
this institution was a grand one, described by quaint, 'sesquipe- 
dalian technicalities coined from the Greek language, and the whole 
devised by that unique man, Judge Woodward. The act is given 
in full in theTerritorial laws of Michigan, compiled and printed a 
few years ago. It was Judge Woodward, also, who laid out the 
plan of Detroit, in the form of a cobweb, with a " campus Martius" 
and a grand circus, and avenues radiating in every direction, grand 
public parks and squares, etc. Centuries would be required to ful- 
fill his vast design. Like authors and artists of ancient Greece and 
Rome, he laid the foundations of grand work for posterity more 
than for the passing generation. 

Settlements now began to form at the points where now are the 
cities of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Jackson, Tecumseh and Pontiac. 
There were still some annoyances by the Indians. The Sacs and 
Foxes annually made their appearance to receive presents from the 
British agents at Maiden, and as they passed along they would 
commit many depredations. This practice of the British Govern- 
ment had a tendency to prejudice the Indians against the Ameri- 
cans, and it thus became necessary to take some measures for 
removing the Indians beyond British influence or otherwise putting 
a stop to this dangerous custom. Accordingly, in the fall of 1819, 
Gov. Cass desired the Government at Washington to cause a more 
thorough exploration to be made of the lake region, estimating the 
number and influence of the Indians, their relations, prejudices, 
etc., with a view to the further extinguishment of Indian title to 
land, etc.; but the Government deemed it advisable at this time 
only to take 10 miles square at Sanlt Ste. Marie for military pur- 
poses, and some islands near Mackinaw, where beds of plaster had 
been found to exist. However, the general Government soon 
ordered an expedition to be fitted out for such an exploration as 
Gov. Cass desired, to travel with birch canoes. The men composing 
the expedition were Gen. Cass and Robert A. Forsyth, his private 
secretary; Capt. D. B. Douglass, topographer and astronomer; Dr. 
Alex. Wolcot, physician; James D. Doty, official secretary; and 
Charles C. Trowbridge, assistant topographer. Lieut. Evans Mac- 
key was commander of the escort, which consisted of 10 U. S. 
soldiers. Besides these there were 10 Canadian voyageurs, to 
manage the canoes, and 10 Indians to act as hunters. The latter 
were under the direction of James Riley and Joseph Parks, who 
were also to act as interpreters. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. . 71 

This party left Detroit March 24, 1820, and reached Michili- 
rnackinac, June 6. On leaving this place June 14, 22 soldiers, 
under the command of Lieut. John S. Pierce, were added to the party, 
and the expedition now numbered 64 persons. They reached the 
Sault Ste. Marie the 16th, where Gen. Cass called the Indians (Chip- 
pewas) together, in order to have a definite understanding with 
them concerning the boundary lines of the land grants, and thereby 
renew also their sanction of former treaties. At first the Indians 
protested against the Americans having any garrison at the place, 
and some of them grew violent and almost precipitated a general 
fight, which would have been disastrous to Gen. Cass' party, as the 
Indians were far more numerous; but Cass exhibited a great degree 
of coolness and courage, and caused more deliberate counsels to 
prevail among the savages. Thus the threatened storm blew over. 

The next day the expedition resumed their journey, on Lake 
Superior, passing the " pictured rocks," and landing at one place 
where there was a band of friendly Chippewas. June 25 they left 
Lake Superior, ascended Portage river and returned home by way 
of Lake Michigan, after having traveled over 4,000 miles. 

The results of the expedition were: a more thorough knowledge 
of a vast region and of the numbers and disposition of the various 
tribes of Indians; several important Indian treaties, by which val- 
uable lands were ceded to the United States; a knowledge of the 
operations of the Northwest Fur Company; and the selection of 
sites for a line of military posts. 

As the greatest want of the people seemed to be roads, Congress 
was appealed to for assistance, and not in vain; for that body 
immediately provided for the opening of roads between Detroit 
and the Miami river, from Detroit to Chicago, and from Detroit to 
Fort Gratiot, and for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. 
Government surveys were carried into the Territory. Two straight 
lines were drawn through the center of the Territory, — east and 
west, and north and south, the latter being denominated the 
principal meridian and the former the base line. The Territory was 
also divided into townships of six miles square. 

In 1821 there was still a tract of land lying south of Grand 
river which had not yet been added to the United States, and Gov. 
Cass deemed it necessary to negotiate with the Indians for it. To 
accomplish this work he had to visit Chicago; and as a matter of 
curiosity we will inform the reader of his most feasible route to 
that place, which he can contrast with that of the present day. 
Leaving Detroit, he descended to the mouth of the Maumee river; 
he ascended that river and crossed the intervening country to the 
Wabash; descended that stream to the Ohio; down the latter to 
the Mississippi, and up this and the Illinois rivers to Chicago! 

At this council the American commissioners were Gen. Cass 
and Judge Sibley, of Detroit. They were successful in their 
undertaking, and obtained a cession of the land in question. On 
this occasion the Indians exhibited in a remarkable manner their 



72 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

appetite for whisky. As a preliminary step to the negotiations, 
the commissioners ordered that no spirits should be given to the 
Indians. The chief of the latter was a man about a hundred years 
old, but still of a good constitution. The commissioners urged 
every consideration to convince him and the other Indians of the 
propriety of the course they had adopted, but in vain. " Father," 
said the old chieftain, " we do not care for the land, nor the money, 
nor the goods: what we want is whisky; give us whisky." But 
the commissioners were inexorable, and the Indians were forced to 
content themselves. 

This year (1821) also two Indians were hung for murder. There 
was some fear that the event would be made by the British an 
occasion of arousing Indian atrocities in the vicinity, and the peti- 
tion for the pardon of the wretches was considered by Gov. Cass 
with a great deal of embarrassment. He finally concluded to let 
the law take its course, and accordingly, Dec. 25, the murderers 
were hung. 

In 1822 six new counties were created, namely, Lapeer, Sanilac, 
Saginaw, Shiawassee, Washtenaw and Lenawee; and they contained 
much more territory then they do at the present day. This year 
the first stage line was established in the Territory, connecting the 
county seat of Macomb county with the steamer " Walk-in-the- 
Water " at Detroit. 

In 1823 Congress changed the form of Territorial government, 
abrogating the legislative power of the governor and judges and 
establishing a " Legislative Council," to consist of nine members, 
appointed by the President of the United States out of 18 candi- 
dates elected by the people. By the same act the term of judicial 
office was limited to four years, and eligibility to office was made to 
require the same qualifications as the right to suffrage. The peo- 
ple now took new interest in their government, and felt encouraged 
to lay deeper the foundations of future prosperity. The first 
legislative council under the new regime met at Detroit June 7, 
1824, when Gov. Cass delivered his message, reviewing the progress 
of the Territory, calling attention to the needs of popular education 
and recommending a policy of governmental administration. Dur- 
ing this year he also called the attention of the general Government 
to the mineral resources of the Superior region, and asked for gov- 
ernmental explorations therein. At its second session after this, 
Congress authorized a commission to treat with the Indians of the 
upper peninsula for permission to explore that country. 

In 1825 the Erie canal was completed from the Hudson river to 
Buffalo, N. Y., and the effect was to increase materially the flow of 
people and wealth into the young Territory of Michigan. The citi- 
zens of the East began to learn the truth concerning the agricult- 
ural value of this peninsula, and those in search of good and 
permanent homes came to see for themselves, and afterward came 
with their friends or families to remain as industrious residents, to 
develop a powerful State. The number in the Territorial council 



74 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

was increased to 13, to be chosen by the President from 26 persons 
elected by the people. In 1827 an act was passed authorizing the 
electors to choose their electors directly, without the further sanc- 
tion of either the President or Congress. The power of enacting 
laws was given to the council, subject, however, to the approval of 
Congress and the veto of the Governor. This form of Territorial 
government remained in force, until Michigan was organized as a 
State in 1837. William Woodbridge was Secretary of the Territory 
during the administration of Gov. Cass, and deserves great credit 
for the ability with which he performed the duties of his office. In 
the absence of the chief executive he was acting governor, and a 
portion of the time he represented the Territory as a delegate to 
Congress. In 1828 be was succeeded by James Witherell, and in 
two years by Gen. John T. Mason. 

In 1831 Gen. Cass was appointed Secretary of War in the cabi- 
net of President Jackson, after having served Michigan as its chief 
executive for 18 years. He had been appointed six times, running 
through the presidency of Madison, Monroe and John Q. Adams, 
without any opposing candidate or a single vote against him in the 
senate. He faithfully discharged his duties as Indian commissioner 
and concluded 19 treaties with the Indians, acquiring large cessions 
of territory in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. 
He was a practical patriot of whom the people of the peninsular 
State justly feel proud. Probably more than any other man, Gen. 
Cass was the father of Michigan. 

GEN. GEO. B. PORTER'S ADMINISTRATION. 

On the promotion of Gen. Cass to a seat in the cabinet of Presi- 
dent Jackson and his consequent resignation as Governor of Michi- 
gan, Gen. Geo. B. Porter was appointed Governor in July, 1831, 
and Sept. 22 following he entered upon the duties of the office. 
The population of the Territory at this time was about 35,000, pros- 
perity was reigning all around and peace everywhere prevailed, 
except that in 1832 the Black Hawk war took place in Illinois, but 
did not affect this peninsula. In this war, however, Gov. Porter 
co-operated with other States in furnishing militia. 

While Gov. Porter was the chief executive, Wisconsin was de- 
tached from Michigan and erected into a separate Territory; many 
new townships were organized and wagon roads opened and im- 
proved; land began to rise rapidly in value, and speculators 
multiplied. The council provided for the establishment and regu- 
lation of common schools,incorporated "The Lake Michigan Steam- 
boat Company," with a capital of $40,000; and incorporated the 
first railroad company in Michigan, the " Detroit & St. Joseph 
Railroad Company," since called the " Michigan Central." The 
original corporators were, John Biddle, John R. Williams, Charles 
Larned, E. P. Hastings, Oliver Newberry, De Garmo James, James 
Abbott, John Gilbert, Abel Millington, Job Gorton, John Allen, 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 75 

Anson Brown, Samuel TV. Dexter. TV. E. Perrine, TVm. A. Thomp- 
son, Isaac Crary. O. TV. Golden, Caleb Eldred, Cyrus Lovell, Calvin 
Brittain and Talman Wheeler. The act of incorporation required 
that the road should be completed within 30 years; this condition 
was complied with in less than one-third of that time. The same 
council also incorporated the "Bank of the Itiver Raisin," with a 
branch at Pontiac. Previous to this two other banks had been 
chartered, namely: the " Bank of Michigan," in 1817, with a branch 
at Bronson, and the " Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Michigan," 
with a branch at St. Joseph. , 

The Legislative Council of 1834 also authorized a vote of the 
residents to be taken on the question of organizing as a State and 
becoming a member of the Union; but the vote was so light and 
the majority so small that Congress neglected to consider the matter 
seriously until two years afterward. 

During Porter's administration a change was made in the 
method of disposing of the public lands, greatly to the benefit of 
the actual settlers. Prior to 1820 the Government price of land 
was $2 an acre, one-fourth to be paid down and the remainder in 
three annual installments; and the land was subject to forfeiture if 
these payments were not promptly made. This system having 
been found productive of many serious evils, the price of land was 
put at $1.25 an acre, all to be paid at the time of purchase. This 
change saved a deal of trouble. 

During the administration of Gov. Porter occurred the "Black 
Hawk" war, mainly in Illinois, in 1832, which did not affect 
Michigan to any appreciable extent, except to raise sundry fears by 
the usual alarms accompanying war gossip. A few volunteers 
probably went to the scene of action from this Territory, but if any 
systematic account was ever kept of this service, we fail to find it. 

In October, 1831, Edwin Jerome left Detroit with a surveying 
party composed of John Mullet, surveyor, and Utter, Brink and 
Peck, for that portion of Michigan Territory lying west of Lake 
Michigan, now Wisconsin. Their outfit consisted of a French 
pony team and a buffalo wagon to carry tent, camp equipage, 
blankets, etc. Most of the way to the southeast corner of Lake 
Michigan they followed a wagon track or an Indian trail, and a 
cabin or an Indian hut to lodge in at night; but west of the point 
mentioned they found neither road nor inhabitant. They arrived 
at Chicago in a terrible rain and " put-up" at the fort. This far- 
famed city at that time had but five or six houses, and they were 
built of logs. Within a distance of three or four miles of the fort 
the land was valued by its owners at 50 cents an acre. 

After 23 days' weary travel through an uninhabited country, 
fording and swimming streams and exposed to much rainy weather, 
they arrived at Galena, where they commenced their survey, but in 
two days the ground froze so deep that further work was abandoned 
until the next spring. The day after the memorable Stillman bat- 
tle with Black Hawk, while the Mullet party were crossing the 



76 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Blue mounds, they met an Indian half-chief, who had just arrived 
from the Menominee camps with the details of the battle. He 
stated the slain to be three Indians and 11 whites. The long shak- 
ing of hands and the extreme cordiality of this Indian alarmed 
Mullet for the safety of his party, but he locked the secret in his 
own heart until the next day. They had just completed a town 
corner when Mullet, raising himself to his full height, said, "Boys, 
I'm going in; I'll not risk my scalp for a few paltry shillings." This 
laconic speech was an electric shock to the whole company. Mr. 
Jerome, in describing his own sensati6ns, said that the hair of his 
head then became as porcupine quills, raising his hat in the air and 
himself from the ground; and the top of his head became as sore 
as a boil. 

July 6, 1834, Gov. Porter died, and the administration devolved 
upon the secretary of the Territory, Stevens T. Mason, during 
whose time occurred 

THE " TOLEDO WAR." 

This difficulty was inaugurated by a conflict of the acts of Con- 
gress from time to time, made either carelessly or in ignorance of 
the geography of the West and of the language of former public acts. 
Michigan claimed as her southern boundary a line running from 
the extreme southern point of Lake Michigan directly east to Lake 
Erie, which would include Toledo, an important point, as it was 
the principal terminus of the proposed Wabash & Erie canal. This 
claim was made by virtue of clauses in the ordinance of 1787. Ohio, 
on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance had been superseded 
by the Constitution of the United States, and that Congress had 
the right to regulate the boundary; also, that the constitution of 
that State, which had been accepted by Congress, described a line 
different from that claimed by Michigan. Mr. Woodbridge, the 
delegate from Michigan, ably opposed in Congress the claim of 
Ohio, and the committee on public lands decided unanimously in 
favor of this State; but in the hurry of business no action was 
taken by Congress and the question remained open. 

The claim of Michigan was based principally upon the follow- 
ing points: The ordinance of 1787 declares the acts therein con- 
tained " articles of compact between the original States and the 
people and States in said Territory (northwest of the river Ohio), 
and forever to remain unalterable, unless by common consent." 
This ordinance defines the Territory to include all that region lying 
north and northwest of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi rivers. 
In the fifth article it is provided that there shall be formed not less 
than three nor more than five States within its limits. The bound- 
aries of the three States are defined so as to include the whole Ter- 
ritory; conditioned, however, that if it should be found expedient 
by Congress to form the one or two more States mentioned, Con- 
gress is authorized to alter boundaries of the three States " so as 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 77 

to form one or two States in that part of the said Territory which 
lies north of the east and west line drawn through the southerly 
bend or extreme of Lake Michigan." 

In 1802 Congress enabled the people of Ohio to form a constitu- 
tion, and in that act the boundary of that State is declared to be 
" on the north by an east and west line drawn through the southerly 
extreme of Lake Michigan, running east, after intersecting the due 
north line aforesaid from the mouth of the Great Miami, until it 
shall intersect Lake Erie, or theTerritorial line, and thence with 
the same through Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania line." The con- 
stitution of Ohio adopted the same line, with this condition: 
" Provided always, and it is hereby fully understood and declared 
by this convention, that if the southerly bend or extreme of Lake 
Michigan should extend so far south that a line drawn due east 
from it should not intersect Lake Erie; or, if it should intersect 
Lake Erie east of the mouth of the Miami river, then in that case, 
with the assent of Congress, the northern boundary of this State 
shall be established by and extend to a direct line running from the 
southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape 
of the Miami bay, after intersecting the due north line from the 
mouth of the Great Miami, as aforesaid, thence northeast of the 
Territorial line, and by said Territorial line to the Pennsylvania 
line." 

Congress did not act upon this proviso until 1805, and during 
this interval it seems that Ohio herself did not regard it as a part 
of her accepted constitution. 

Again, this section of the act of 1802 provides that all that 
part of the Territory lying north of this east and west line " shall 
be attached to and make a part of the Indiana Territory." Still 
again, the act of 1805, entitled " an act to divide the Indiana Ter- 
ritory into separate governments," erects Michigan to a separate 
Territory, and defines the southern boundary to be " a line drawn 
east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan until it 
intersects Lake Erie." 

The strip of territory in dispute is about five miles wide at the 
west end and eight miles at the east end. The line claimed by Mich- 
igan was known as the " Fulton line," and that claimed by Ohio 
was known as the " Harris line," from the names of the surveyors. 
This territory was valuable for its rich farming land, but its chief 
value was deemed to consist at that time in its harbor on theMau- 
mee river, where now stands the city of Toledo, and which was the 
eastern terminus of the proposed Wabash & Erie canal. This 
place was originally called Swan creek, afterward Port Lawrence, 
then Vistula and finally Toledo. The early settlers generally 
acknowledged their allegiance to Michigan; but when the canal 
became a possibility, and its termination at Toledo being dependent 
upon the contingency whether or not it was in Ohio, many of the 
inhabitants became desirous of being included within the latter 
State. Then disputes grew more violent and the Legislatures of the 



78 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

respective commonwealths led off in the fight. In February, 1835, 
the Legislature of Ohio passed an act extending the jurisdiction of the 
State over the territory in question, directed local elections to be 
held and a re-survey to be made of the Harris line. Per contra, 
Gov. Mason urged the Legislative Council of Michigan to take active 
measures to counteract the proceedings of the Ohio Legislature; and 
accordingly that body passed an act making it a criminal offense 
for any one to attempt to exercise any official functions within the 
jurisdiction of Michigan without authority from the Territory or the 
general Government. March 9, 1835, Gov. Mason ordered Gen. 
Brown to hold the Michigan militia in readiness to meet the enemy 
in the field in case an attempt was made by the agents of Ohio to 
carry out the provisions of the Legislature of that State. On the 
31st Gov. Lucas, of Ohio, arrived at Perrysburg with his commis- 
sioners, on his way to re-survey the Harris line. He was accom- 
panied by a militia of about 600 men. In tli3 meantime Gov. Mason 
mustered about 1,200 men, with Gen. Brown commanding, and 
was in possession of Toledo. In a few days two commissioners 
arrived from Washington on a mission of peace, and remonstrated 
with Gov. Lucas. After several conferences with the two Gover- 
nors they submitted propositions of a temporary nature, virtually 
giving the disputed territory to Ohio until the following session of 
Congress, to which Gov. Lucas assented, but Gov. M&son did not. 
President Jackson asked the opinion of the attorney general, Mr. 
Butler, who replied in favor of Michigan; notwithstanding, Gov. 
Lucas proceeded to order his men to commence the survey, but as 
they were passing through Lenawee county the under-sheriff there 
arrested a portion of the party, while the rest ran away like Indi- 
ans, and spread an exaggerated report of actual war. This feeing 
corrected bj T an amusing official report of the under-sheriff, Gov. 
Lucas called an extra session of the Ohio Legislature, which passed 
an act " to prevent the forcible abduction of the citizens of Ohio!" 
It also adopted measures to organize the county of " Lucas," with 
Toledo as the county-seat, and to carry into effect the laws of the 
State over the disputed territory. 

In the meantime the Michigan people in and about Toledo busied 
themselves in arresting Ohio emissaries who undertook to force the 
laws of their State upon Michigan Territory, while Ohio partisans 
feebly attempted to retaliate. An amusing instance is related of 
the arrest of one Major Stickney. He and his whole family fought 
valiantly, but were at length overcome by numbers. The Major 
had to be tied on a horse before he would ride with the Michigan 
posse to jail. An attempt was then made to arrest a son of the 
Major called "Two Stickney," when a serious struggle followed and 
the officer was stabbed with a knife. The blood flowed pretty freely, 
but the wound did not prove dangerous. This was probably the 
only blood shed during the " war." The officer let go his hold and 
Stickney fled to Ohio. He was indicted by the grand jury of Mon- 
roe county, and a requisition was made on the Governor of Ohio 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 79 

for his rendition, but the Governor refused to give him up. An 
account of this affair reaching the ears of the President, he recom- 
mended that Gov. Mason interpose no obstacle to the re-survey of 
the Harris line; but the Governor refusing to abide by the " recom- 
mendation," the President superseded him by the appointment of 
Charles Shaler, of Pennsylvania, as his successor. He also advised 
Gov. Lucas to refrain from exercising any jurisdiction over the dis- 
puted territory until Congress should convene and act upon the 
matter. This was humiliating to that Governor, and he resolved 
to assert the dignity of his State in Toledo in some manner. He 
hit upon the plan of ordering a session of court to be held there, 
with a regiment of militia for the protection of the judges. Accord- 
ingly the judges met on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 6, at Maumee, a 
few miles from Toledo. Some time during the evening a scout 
sent out by the colonel returned from Toledo and reported that 
1,200 men, under command of Gen. Brown, were in Toledo ready 
to demolish court, soldiers and all; but this report turned out to be 
false. During the scare, however, the judges hesitated to proceed 
to Toledo, and the colonel of the regiment upbraided them for their 
cowardice, and proposed to escort them with his militia during the 
dead of night to a certain school-house in Toledo, where they might 
go through the form of holding court a few minutes in safety. 
About three o'clock Monday morning they arrived at the desig- 
nated place and " held court " about two minutes and then fled for 
dear life back to Maumee! Thus was the " honor and dignity " of 
the great State of Ohio " vindicated over all her enemies !" 

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. HORNER. 

It appears that Mr. Shaler did not accept the governorship of 
Michigan, and John S. Horner, of Virginia, was soon afterward 
appointed secretary and Acting Governor. He proved to be rather 
unpopular with the people of Michigan, and the following May he 
was appointed secretary of Wisconsin Territory. He carried on a 
lengthy correspondence with Gov. Lucas, which resulted in a dis- 
continuance of all the suits that had grown out of the Toledo war 
except the demand for Two Stickney. Gov. Lucas persisted in refus- 
ing to deliver him up; but it seems that finally no serious trouble 
came of the affair. 

The first Monday in October, 1835, the people of Michigan 
ratified the constitution and by the same vote elected a full set of 
State officers. Stevens T. Mason was elected Governor, Edward 
Mundy, Lieutenant-Governor, and Isaac E. Crary, Represenativein 
Congress. The first Legislature under the constitution was held at 
Detroit, the capital, on the first Monday in November, and John 
Norvell and Lucius Lyon were elected U. S. Senators. A regular 
election was also held underthe Territorial law for delegate to Con- 
gress, and Geo. W. Jones, ot Wisconsin, received the certificate of 
election, although it is said that Wm. Woodbridge received the high- 



80 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

est number of votes. John S. Horner, the Territorial Governor, 
was still in office here, and this singular mixture of Territorial and 
State government continued until the following June, when Con- 
gress formally admitted Michigan into the Union as a State and 
Horner was sent to Wisconsin, as before noted. This act of 
Congress conditioned that the celebrated strip of territory over 
which the quarrel had been so violent and protracted, should be given 
to Ohio, and that Michigan might have as a compensation the 
upper peninsula." That section of country was then known only as 
a barren waste, containing some copper, no one knew how much. 
Of course this decision by Congress was unsatisfactory to the peo- 
ple of this State. This was the third excision of territory from 
Michigan, other clippings having been made in 1802 and 1816. 
In the former year more than a thousand square miles was given to 
Ohio, and in the latter year nearly 1,200 square miles was given to 
Indiana. Accordingly, Gov. Mason convened the Legislature July 
11, 1836, to act on the proposition of Congress. The vote stood 21 
for acceptance and 28 for rejection. Three delegates were appointed 
to repair to Washington, to co-operate with the representatives 
there for the general interest of the State: but before Congress was 
brought to final action on the matter, other conventions were held 
in the State to hasten a decision. An informal one held at Ann 
Arbor Dec. 14 unanimously decided to accept the proposition of 
Congress and let the disputed strip of territory go to Ohio, and 
thereupon Jan. 26, 1837, Michigan was admitted into the Union 
on an equal footing with the original States. 

MICHIGAN AS A STATE. 

A State! This word contains avast amount of meaning. Before a 
community becomes a State, there is comparatively a dead level of 
homogeneity, the history of which consists simply of a record of 
independent or disconnected events, as Indian wars, migration, etc.; 
but when a people so far advance in civilization that they must 
organize, like the plant and animal kingdoms, they must assume 
" organs," having functions; and the more civilized and dense the 
population, the more numerous and complicated these organs must 
become, — to use the language of modern biology, the more the 
organism must " differentiate." 

Correspondingly, the history of Michigan, up to its organization 
as a State, like that of all our Territories, is almost a disconnected 
series of events; but on assuming the character of a State, its organs 
and functions multiply, becoming all the while more and more 
dependent upon one another. To follow up the history of the 
State, therefore, with the same proportional fullness as we do its 
Territorial epoch, would swell the work to scores or hundreds of 
volumes; for the compiler would be obliged to devote at first a 
volume to one feature, say the educational, and then soon divide 
his subject into the various departments of the educational work of 



82 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the State, devoting a volume to each, and then subdivide, taking 
each local institution by itself, and subdivide still farther, and so on 
ad infinitum, devoting a volume to each movement in the career 
of every institution. 

As it is therefore impracticable to preserve the proportion of 
history to the end, the writer is obliged to generalize more and 
more as he approaches the termination of any selected epoch in the 
progress of a growing organism. Accordingly, from this point 
onward in the history of Michigan, we will treat the subject mat- 
ter mainly by topics, commencing with an outline of the several 
gubernatorial administrations. 

THE ADMINISTRATIONS. 

Stevens T. Mason was the first Governor of this State, having 
been elected (Governor of the State prospectively) in 1835, as before 
noted, and he held the office until January, 1840. This State, at 
the time of its admission into the Union, had a population of about 
200,000; its area was about 40,000 square miles, which was di- 
vided into 36 counties. 

Nearly the first act passed by the Legislature was one for the 
organization and support of common schools. Congress had already 
set apart one section of land in every township for this purpose, 
and the new State properly appreciated the boon. In March of 
the same year (1837) another act was passed establishing the 
University of Michigan, of which institution we speak more fully on 
subsequent pages. This Legislature also appropriated $20,000 for 
a geological survey, and appointed Dr. Douglass Houghton State 
geologist. For the encouragement of internal improvements, a 
board of seven commissioners was appointed, of which the Gov- 
ernor was made president. This board authorized several surveys 
for railroads. Three routes were surveyed through the State, which 
eventually became, respectively, the Michigan Central, the Mich- 
igan Southern, and the Detroit & Milwaukee. The latter road, 
however, was originally intended to have Port Huron for its east- 
ern terminus. The next year appropriations were made for the 
survey of the St. Joseph, Kalamazoo and Grand rivers, for the 
purpose of improving the navigation. 

In 1839 the tnilitiaof the State was organized, and eight divisions, 
with two brigades of two regiments each, were provided for. This 
year, also, the State prison at Jackson was completed. Nearly 
30,000 pupils attended the common schools this year, and for school 
purposes over $18, 000 was appropriated. Agriculturally, the State 
yielded that year 21,944 bushels of rye, 1,116,910 of oats, 6,422 of 
buckwheat, 43,826 pounds of flax, 524 of hemp, 89,610 head of cat- 
tle,14,059 head of horses, 22,684 head of sheep and 109,096 of swine. 

Gov. William Woodbridge was the chief executive from January, 
1840, to February, 1841, when he resigned to accept a seat in the 



HISTORF OF MICHIGAN. 83 

U. S. Senate. J. Wright Gordon was Lieut.-Governor, and became 
Acting Governor on the resignation of Gov.Woodbridge. 

During the administration of these men, the railroad from Detroit 
to Ann Arbor, a distance of 40 miles, was completed; branches of 
the University were established at Detroit, Pontiac, Monroe, Niles, 
Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Jackson, White Pigeon and Tecumseh. 
The material growth of the State continued to increase, propor- 
tionally more rapidly than even the population, which now amounted 
to about 212,000. 

John S. Barry succeeded Gov. Gordon in the executive chair, 
serving from 1841 to 1845. In 1842 the university was opened 
for the reception of students, and the number of pupils attending 
the common schools was officially reported to be nearly 58,000. In 
1843 a land office was established at Marshall, for the whole State. 
In 1844 the taxable property of the State was found to be in value 
$28,554,282, the tax being at the rate of two mills on the dollar. 
The expenses of the State were only $70,000, while the income 
from the two railroads was nearly $300,000. In 1845 the number 
of inhabitants in the State had increased to more than 300,000. 

Alpheus Felch served as Governor from 1845 to 1847. During 
his time the two railroads belonging to the State were sold to pri- 
vate corporations, — the Central for $2,000,000, and the Southern 
for $500,000. The exports of the State amounted in 1846 to $4,647,- 
608. The total capacity of vessels enrolled in the collection dis- 
trict at Detroit was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and 
the sailing vessels 18,52S tons, the whole giving employment to 
18,000 seamen. In 1S47 there were 39 counties in the State, con- 
taining 435 townships; and 275 of these townships were supplied 
with good libraries, containing in the aggregate 37,000 volumes. 

In the spring of 1846, on the account of northern and eastern 
immigration into Texas, with tastes and habits different from the 
native Mexicans, a war was precipitated between the United States 
and Mexico; and for the prosecution of this war Michigan fur- 
nished a regiment of volunteers, commanded by Thomas W. Stock- 
ton, and one independent company, incurring a total expense of 
about $10,500. March 3, 1847, Gov. Felch resigned to accept a 
seat in the U. S. Senate, when the duties of his office devolved upon 
Wm. L. Greenly, under whose administration the Mexican war 
was closed. 

There are few records extant of the action of Michigan troops in 
the Mexican war. That many went there and fought well are 
points conceded; but their names and country of nativity are hid- 
den away in U. S. archives where it is almost impossible to find 
them. 

The soldiers of this State deserve much of the credit of the 
memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d Dragoons, and Cos. A, E, 
and G of the U. S. Inf. The two former of these companies, re- 



84 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

cruited in this State, were reduced to one-third their original num- 
ber. 

In May, 1846, our Governor was notified by the War Department 
of the United States to enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held 
in readiness for service whenever demanded. At his summons 13 
independent volunteer companies, 11 of infantry and two of cav- 
alry, at once fell into line. Of the infantry four companies were 
from Detroit, bearing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafay- 
ette, Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the remainder 
Monroe tendered two, Lenawee county three, St. Clair, Berrien and 
Hillsdale each one, and Wayne county an additional company. 
Of these alone the veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered 
into service. In addition to them 10 companies, making the First 
Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing from various parts of 
the State, but embodying to a great degree the material of which 
the first volunteers was formed, were not called for until October 
following. This regiment was soon in readiness and proceeded to 
the seat of war. 

Epaphroditus Ransom was Governor from 1847 to November, 
1849. During his administration the Asylum for the Insane was 
established at Kalamazoo, and also the Institute for the Blind, and 
the Deaf and Dumb, at Flint. Both these institutions were liber- 
ally endowed with lands, and each entrusted to a board of five 
trustees. March 31, 1848, the first telegraph line was completed 
from New York to Detaoit. 

John S. Barry, elected Governor of Michigan for the third time, 
succeeded Gov. Ransom, and his term expired in November, 1851. 
While he was serving this term a Normal school was established at 
Ypsilanti, which was endowed with lands, placed in charge of a 
Board of Education, consisting of six persons; a new State con- 
stitution was adopted, and the great " railroad conspiracy " case 
was tried. This originated in a number of lawless depredations 
upon the property of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, ter- 
minating with the burning of their depot at Detroit in 1850. The 
next year 37 men were brought to trial, and 12 of them were con- 
victed. The prosecution was conducted by Alex. D. Eraser, of 
Detroit, and the conspirators were defended by Win. H. Seward, of 
New York. Judge Warner Wing presided. 

Robert McClelland followed Barry as Governor, serving until 
March, 1853, when he resigned to accept the position of Secretary 
of the Interior, in the cabinet of President Pierce. Lieut.-Gov. 
Andrew Parsons consequently became Acting Governor, his term 
expiring in November, 1854. 

In the soring of 1854, during the administration of Acting Gov. 
Parsons, the "Republican party," at least as a State organization, 
was first formed in the United States " under the oaks " at Jackson, 
by anti-slavery men of both the old parties. Great excitement 
prevailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of Kansas and 
the issue thereby brought up whether slavery should exist there. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 85 

For the purpose of permitting slavery there, the "Missouri com- 
promise" (which limited slavery to the south of 36° 30') was re- 
pealed, under the lead of Stephen A. Douglas. This was repealed 
by a bill admitting Kansas and Nebraska into the Union as Terri- 
tories, and those who were opposed to this repeal measure were 
in short called "anti-Nebraska " men. The epithets " Nebraska" 
and " an ti- Nebraska" were temporarily employed to designate the 
slavery and anti-slavery parties, pending the dissolution of the old 
Democratic and Whig parties and the organization of the new 
Democratic and Republican parties. At the next State election 
Kinsley S. Bingham was elected by the Republicans Governor of 
Michigan, and this State has ever since then been under Republi- 
can control, the State officers of that party being elected by major- 
ities ranging from 5,000 to 55,000. And the people of this State 
generally, and the Republicans in particular, claim that this com- 
monwealth has been as well taken care of since 1855 as any State 
in the union, if not better, while preceding 1855 the Democrats 
administered the government as well as any other State, if not 
better. 

As a single though signal proof of the high standard of Michi- 
gan among her sister States, we may mention that while the taxes 
ill the New England States, New York, New Jersey and Pennsyl- 
vania average $10.09 psr capita, while in Massachusetts the average 
is $17.10 per inhabitant, and while in the West the average is 
$6.50, in Michigan it is only $4.57. At the same time it is gen- 
erally believed even by the citizens of sister States, that Michigan 
is the best governed commonwealth in the Union. 

Kinsley S. Bingham was Governor from 1854 to 1858. The 
most notable event during his administration was the completion of 
the ship canal at the falls of St. Mary, May 26, 1855. An act of 
Congress was approved, granting to the State of Michigan 750,000 
acres of land for the purpose of constructing this canal. The 
"sault," or rapids, of the St. Mary, have a fall of 17 feet in one 
mile. The canal is one mile long, 100 feet wide and about 12 feet 
deep. It has two locks of solid masonry. The work was commenced 
in L853 and finished in May, 1855, at "a cost of $999,802. This is 
one of the most important internal improvements ever made in the 
State. 

Moses Wisner was the next Governor of Michigan, serving from 
1858 to November, 1860, at which time Abraham Lincoln was 
elected President of the United States. National themes began to 
^ row exciting, and Michigan affairs were almost lost in the warring 
elements of strife that convulsed the nation from center to circum- 
ference with a life-and-death struggle. 

Austin Blair was the 13th Governor of Michigan, serving during 
the perilous times of rebellion from 1861 to 1865, and by his patri- 
otic and faithful execution of law and prompt aid of the general 
Government, earning the well deserved title of " the War Gov- 



86 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

ernor." The particulars of the history of this State in connection 
with that war we will reserve for the next section. 

Henry H. Crapo succeeded Gov. Blair, serving one term. He 
was elected during the dark hours just before the close of the war, 
when he found the political sky overcast with the most ominous 
cloudsof death and debt. The bonded debt of the State was $3,- 
54:1,149.80, with a balance in the treasury of $440,047.29. . In the 
single year just closed the State had expended $823,216.75, and by 
the close of the first year of his term this indebtedness had increased 
more than $400,000 more. But the wise administration of this 
Governor began materially to reduce the debt and at the same time 
till the treasury. The great war closed during the April after his 
election, and he faithfully carried out the line of policy inaugurated 
by his predecessor. The other prominent events during his time 
of office are systematically interwoven with the history of the vari- 
ous institutions of the State, and they will be found under heads in 
their rtspective placts. 

Henry P. Baldwin was Governor two terms, namely, from January, 
1868, to the close of 1872. The period of his administration was a 
prosperous one for the State. In 1869 the taxable valuation of real 
and personal property in the State amounted to $400,000,000, and 
in 1871 it excteded $630,000,000. 

During Gov. Baldwin's time a step was taken to alter the State 
constitution so as to enable counties, townships, cities and incorpo- 
rated villages, in their corporate capacity, to aid in the construction 
of railroads. Bonds had been issued all over the State by these mu- 
nicipalities in aid of railroads, under laws which had been enacted 
by the Legislature at five different sessions, but a case coming before 
the Supreme Court involving the constitutionality of these laws, 
the Ben^h decided that the laws were unconstitutional, and thus the 
railroads were left to the mercy of "soul-less" corporations. Gov. 
Baldwin, in this emergency, called an extra session of the Legisla- 
ture, which submitted the desired constitutional amendment to the 
people; but it was by them defeated in November, 1870. 

The ninth census having been officially published, it became the 
duty of the States in 1872 to make a re-apportionment of districts 
for the purpose of representation in Congress. Since 1863 Michi- 
gan had had six representatives, but the census of 1870 entitled it 
to nine. 

During the last two years of Gov. Baldwin's administration the 
preliminary measures for building a new State capitol engrossed 
much of his attention. His wise counsels concerning this much- 
needed new building were generally adopted by the Legislature, 
which was convened in extra session in March, 1872. 

Ample provision having been made for the payment of the funded 
debt of the State by setting apart some of tha trust-fund receipts, 
and such portion of the specific taxes as were not required for the 
payment of interest on the public debt, the one-eighth mill tax for 
the sinking fund was abolished in 1870. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 87 

The tall of 1871 is noted for the many destructive conflagrations 
in the Northwest, including the great Chicago tire. Several villages 
in this State were either wholly or partially consumed, and much 
property was burned up nearly all over the country. This was due 
to the excessive dryness of the season. In this State alone nearly 
3,000 families, or about 18,000 persons, were rendered houseless 
and deprived of the necessaries of life. Relief committees were 
organized at Detroit, Grand Rapids and elsewhere, and in a short 
time $1462,106 in money and about $250,000 worth of clothing were 
forwarded to the sufferers. Indeed, so generous were the people 
that they would have given more than was necessary had they not 
been informed by the Governor in a proclamation that a sufficiency 
had been raised. 

The dedication of the soldiers' and sailors' monument at Detroit, 
April 9, 1872, was a notable event in Gov. Baldwin's time. This 
grand structure was designed by Randolph Rogers, formerly of Michi- 
gan, and one of the most eminent of American sculptors now living. 
The money to defray the expenses of this undertaking was raised by 
subscription, and persons in all parts of the State were most liberal 
in their contributions. The business was managed by an associa- 
tion incorporated in 1868. The monument is 46 feet high, and is 
surmounted by a colossal statue of Michigan in bronze, 10 feet in 
height. She is represented as a semi-civilized Indian queen, with 
a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left. The dedicatory 
lines in front are: "Erected by the people of Michigan, in honor 
of the martyrs who fell and the heroes who fought in defense of 
liberty and union." On the monument are many beautiful designs. 
At the unveiling there was a large concourse of people from all 
parts of the State, and the address was delivered by ex-Governor 
Blair. 

John J. Bagley succeeded to the governorship Jan. 1, 1873, and 
served two terms. During his administration the new capitol was 
principally built, which is a larger and better structure for the 
money than perhaps any other public building in the United States. 
Under Gov. Bagley's counsel and administration the State pros- 
pered in all its departments. The Legislature of 1873 made it the 
duty of the Governor to appoint a commission to revise the State 
constitution, which duty he performed to the satisfaction of all 
parties, and the commission made thorough work in revising the 
fundamental laws of this commonwealth. 

Charles M. Croswell was next the chief executive of this State, 
exercising the functions of the office for two successive terms, 
1877-'81. During his administration the public debt was greatly 
reduced, a policy adopted requiring State institutions to keep 
within the limit of appropriations, laws enacted to provide more 
effectually for the punishment of corruption and bribery in elec- 
tions, the State House of Correction at Ionia and the Eastern 
Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened, and the now capi- 
tol at Lansing was completed and occupied. The first act of his 



68 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

second term was to preside at the dedication of this building. The 
great riot of 1877 centered at Jackson. During those two or 
three fearful days Gov. Croswell was in his office at Lansing, in 
correspondence with members of the military department in differ- 
ent. parts of the State, and within 48 hours from the moment when 
the danger became imminent the rioters found themselves sur- 
rounded by a military force ready with ball and cartridge for their 
annihilation. Were it not for this promptness of the Governor 
there would probably have been a great destruction of property, if 
not also of life. 

At this date (February, 1881), Hon. David H. Jerome has just 
assumed the duties of the executive chair, while all the machinery 
of the Government is in good running order and the people gener- 
ally are prosperous. 

WAK OF THE REBELLION. 

As soon as the President called for troops to suppress the Rebel- 
lion in April, 1861, the loyal people of the Peninsular State 
promptly responded and furnished the quota assigned. Austin 
Blair, a man peculiarly fitted for the place during the emergency, 
was Governor, and John Robertson, Adjutant General. The people 
of Michigan have ever since been proud of the record of these two 
men during the war, but this does not exclude the honor due all the 
Mumble soldiery who obediently exposed their lives in defense of 
the common country. Michigan has her full share of the buried 
dead in obscure and forgotten places all over the South as well as 
in decent cemeteries throughout the North. It was Michigan men 
that captured Jeff. Davis, namel} 7 : the 4th Cavalry, under Coi. B. 
F. Pritchard; and it was Michigan men that materially aided in the 
successful capture of Wilkes Booth, the assassin of the martyred 
Lincoln. 

The census of this State for 1860 showed a population of 751,- 
110. The number of able-bodied men capable of military service 
was estimated in official documents of that date at 110,000. At the 
same time the financial embarrassment of the State was somewhat 
serious, and the annual tax of $226,250 was deemed a grievous bur- 
den. But such was the patriotism of the people that by Dec. 23, 
1862, an aggregate of 45,569 had gone to battle, besides 1,400 who 
had gone into other States and recruited. By the end of the war 
Michigan had sent to the front 90,747, or more than four-fifths the 
estimated number of able-bodied men at the beginning! 

PUBLIC-SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

Michigan has as good a public-school system as can be found 
anywhere in the Union. Ever since 1785 the acts of Congress, as 
well as the acts of this State since its organization, have encouraged 
popular education by land grants and liberal appropriations of 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 89 

money. The 16th section of each township was early placed in the 
custody of the State for common-school purposes, and all the pro- 
ceeds of the sale of school lands go into the perpetual fund. In 
1842 the superintendent of public instruction reported a dis- 
crepancy of over $22,000 in the funds, owing to imperfect records, 
probably, rather than dishonesty of officials. Sept. 30, 1878, the 
primary-school fund amounted to $2,890,090.73, and the swamp- 
land school fund to $361,237.20. 

The qualification of teachers and the supervision of schools were 
for many years in the hands of a board of three inspectors, then 
the county su peri n tendency system was adopted for many years, 
and since 1875 the township system has been in vogue. The 
township Board of School Inspectors now consists of the township 
clerk, one elected inspector and a township superintendent of 
schools. The latter officer licenses the teachers and visits the 
schools. 

In 1877 the school children (5 to 20 years of age) numbered 
469,504; the average number of months of school, 7.4; number of 
graded schools, 295; number of school-houses, 6,078, valued at 
$9,190,175; amount of two-mill tax, $492,646.94;' district taxes, 
$2,217,961; total resources for the year, $3,792,129.59; total 
expenditures, $3,179,976.06. 

STATE UNIVERSITY. 

By an act of Congress in 1804, a township of land was to be 
reserved in the territory now constituting the lower peninsula " for 
the use of seminaries of learning;" but the mostof this reservation 
in 1841 went to a Catholic institution at Detroit. In 1824, through 
the exertions of Austin E. Wing, delegate to Congress, Gov. Wood- 
bridge and others, a second township was granted, with permission 
to select the sections in detached localities, and about this time 
Judge Woodward devised that novel and extensive scheme for 
the " catholepistemiad," elsewhere referred to in this volume. In 
1837 the Legislature established the University at Ann Arbor, and 
appropriated the 72 sections to its benefit; 916 acres of this land 
were located in what is now the richest part of Toledo, O., from 
which the University finally realized less than $18,000! 

But the State in subsequent years made many liberal appropria- 
tions to this favorite institution, until it has become the greatest seat 
of learning west of New England, if not in all America. It is a 
part of the public-school system of the State, as tuition is free, and 
pupils graduating at the high schools are permitted to enter the 
freshman class of the collegiate department. It now has an average 
attendance of 1,200 to 1,400 students, 450 of whom, are in the college 
proper. In 1879 there were 406 in the law department, 329 in the 
medical, 71 in pharmacy, 62 in dental surgery and 63 in the homeo- 
pathic department. There are over 50 professors and teachers. 
The University is under the control of eight regents, elected by the 



!>0 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

people, two every second year. Rev. Henry B. Tappan, D. D., 
was president from 1852 to 1863, then Erastus O. Haven, D. D., 
LL. D., to 1869, then Prof. H. S. Frieze (acting) until 1871, since 
which time the reins have been held by Hon. James B. Angell, 
LL. D. 

The value of the buildings and grounds was estimated in 1879 
at $319,000, and the personal property at $250,000. 

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

John D. Pierce, the first superintendent of public instruction, in 
his first report to the Legislature, urged the importance of a normal 
school. In this enterprise he was followed by his successors in office 
until 1819, when Ira Mayhevv was State Superintendent, and the 
Legislature appropriated 72 sections of land for the purpose; and 
among the points competing for the location of the school, Ypsi- 
lanti won, and in that place the institution was permanently located. 
The building was completed and dedicated with appropriate cere- 
monies Oct. 5, 1852; next year the Legislature appropriated $7,000 
in money, for expenses. Prof. A. S. Welch, now President of Iowa 
Agricultural College, was elected the first principal. In October, 
1859, the building with contents was burned, and a new building 
was immediately erected. In 1878 the main building was enlarged 
at an expense of $43,347. This enlargement was 88x90 feet, and 
has a hall capable of seating 1,200 persons. The value of buildings 
and other property at the present time is estimated at $111,100. 
Number of students, 616, including 144 in the primary depart- 
ment. 

Each member of the Legislature is authorized by the Board of 
Education to appoint two students from his district who may attend 
one year free of tuition; other students pay $10 per annum. Grad- 
uates of this school are entitled to teach in this State without re-ex- 
animation by any school officer. 

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

The Michigan Agricultural College owes its establishment to a 
provision of the State constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, "The 
Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establish- 
ment of an agricultural school." For the purpose of carrying into 
practice this provision, legislation was commenced in 1855, and the 
act required that the school should be within 10 miles of Lansing, 
and that not more than $15 an acre should be paid for the farm and 
college grounds. The college was opened to students in May, 1857, 
the first of existing agricultural colleges in the United States. 
Until the spring of 1861 it was under the control of the State Board 
of Education; since that time it has been under the management 
of the State Board of Agriculture, created for the purpose. 




THE CAPITOL, AT LANSING. 



92 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

In its essential features of combining study and labor, and of 
unitiug general and professional studies in its course, the college 
has remained virtually unchanged from the first. It has had a 
steady growth in number of students, in means of illustration and 
efficiency of instruction. 

An act of Congress, approved July 2, 1802, donated to each State 
public lands to the amount of 30,000 acres for each of its Senators 
and Reprefentatives in Congress, according to the census of 1860, 
for the endowment, support and maintenance of at least one college 
where the leading object should be, without excluding other scien- 
tific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach 
such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the 
mechanic arts. The Legislature accepted this grant and bestowed 
it upon the Agricultural College. By its provisions the college has 
received 235,673.37 acres of land. These lands have been placed in 
market, and about 74,000 acres sold, yielding a fund of $237,174, 
the interest of which at seven per cent, is applied to the support of 
the college. The sale is under the direction of the Agricultural 
Land Grant Board, consisting of the Governor, Auditor General, 
Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General and Commis- 
sioner of the State Land Office. 

The Agricultural College is three miles east of Lansing, com- 
prising several fine buildings; and there are also very beautiful, 
substantial residences for the professors. There are also an exten- 
sive, well-filled green-house, a very large and well-equipped chemi- 
cal laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the United 
States, a general museum, a museum of mechanical inventions, 
another of vegetable products, extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., 
in fine trim for the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676 
acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation in a systematic 
rotation of crops. 

OTHER COLLEGES. 

At Albion is a flourishing college under the control of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The grounds comprise about 15 
acres. There are three college buildings, each three-stories high, 
having severally the dimensions of 46 by 80, 40 by 100, and 47 by 
80 feet. The attendance in 1878 was 205. Tuition in the prepara- 
tory and collegiate studies is free. The faculty comprises nine 
members. The value of property about $85,000. 

Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan Methodists in 
1859, now under the control of the " Methodist Church." The 
grounds contain about 20 acres. There are four buildings, capable 
of accommodating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 was 
179; total number of graduates for previous years, 121; 10 profes- 
sors and teachers are employed. Exclusive of the endowment fund 
($80,000), the assets of the institution, including grounds, build- 
ings, furniture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands, 
etc., amount to more than $137,000. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 93 

Hope College, at Holland, is under the patronage of the Dutch 
Reformed Church. It was begun in 1851,and in connection with the 
ordinary branches of learning, it has a theological department. In 
1877 it had 10 professors and teachers and 110 pupils. Up to 1875 
there had graduated, in the preparatory department, begun in 1863. 
95; in the academic, beginning in 1866, 53; and in the theological, 
beginning in 1869, 24. Value of real estate, $25,000; of other prop- 
erty, above 'incumbrance, about $10,000; the amount of endow- 
ment paid in is about $56,000. 

Kalamazoo College, headed by Baptists, is situated on a five-acre 
lot of ground, and the property is valued at $35,000; investments, 
$88,000. There are six members of the faculty, and in 1878 there 
were 169 pupils. 

Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the Free Baptists. 
The " Michigan Central College," at Spring Arbor, was incorpo- 
rated in 1845. It was kept in operation until it was merged into 
the present Hillsdale College. The site comprises 25 acres, beauti- 
fully situated on an eminence in the western part of the city of 
Hillsdale. The large and imposing building first erected was 
nearly destroyed by fire in 1874, and in its place five buildings of 
a more, modern style have been erected. They are of brick, 
three stories with basement, arranged on three sides of a quad- 
rangle. Their size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 48 by 72, 48 by 72, 
80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they contain one-half more room than the 
original building. Ex-Lieut. -Gov. E. B. Fairfield was the first 
president. The present president is Rev. D. W. C. Durgin, D. D. 
Whole number of graduates up to 1878, 375; number of students 
in all departments, 506; number of professors and instructors, 15; 
productive endowment, about $100,000; buildings and grounds, 
$80,000; library, 6,200 volumes. 

Olivet College, in Eaton county, is a lively and thorough literary 
and fine-art institution, under the joint auspices of the Presbyterian 
and Congregational denominations. Value of buildings and 
grounds, about $85,000. Fourteen professors and teachers are em- 
ployed, and the attendance in 1878 was 190, the sexes in about 
equal proportion. There are five departments, namely: the colle- 
giate, preparatory, normal, music and art. 

Battle Creek College, conducted by the Seventh-Day Adventists, 
was established in 1874, with four departments, 11 professors and 
teachers, and an attendance of 289. It is practically connected 
with a large health institution, where meat and medicines are 
eschewed. In 1878 there were 15 instructors and 478 students. 
Special attention is paid to hygiene and hygienic medication. 

Grand Traverse College was opened at Benzonia in 1863, as the 
result of the efforts of Rev. Dr. J. B. Walker, a prominent divine 
of the Congregational Church. The friends of this institution 
have met with serious discouragements: their lands have not risen 
in value as anticipated and they have suffered a heavy loss from 
fire; but the college has been kept open to the present time, with 



94 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

an average of 70 pupils. The curriculum, however, has so far been 
only "preparatory." The land is valued at $25,000, and the build- 
ings, etc., $6,000. The school has done a good work in qualifying 
teachers for the public schools. 

Besides the foregoing colleges, there are the German-American 
Seminary in Detroit, a Catholic seminary at Monroe, the Michigan 
Female Seminary at Kalamazoo, the Military Academy at Orchard 
Lake, near Pontiac, and others. « 

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 

No State in the union takes better care of her poor than does 
Michigan. For a number of years past, especially under the 
administrations of Govs. Bagley and Croswell, extraordinary efforts 
have been made to improve and bring to perfection the appoint- 
ments for the poor and dependent. 

According to the report of the Board of State Commissioners 
for the general supervision of charitable, penal, pauper and reform- 
atory institutions for 1876, the total number in poor-houses of the 
State was 5,282. For the five years preceding, the annual rate of 
increase was four times greater than the increase of population 
during that period; but that was an exceptionally "hard" time. 
The capacity of the public heart, however, was equal to the occa- 
sion, and took such measures as were effectual and almost beyond 
criticism for the care of the indigent. 

At the head of the charity department of the State stands 

THE STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL. 

In the year 1870 a commission appointed by the Governor for 
that purpose, visited many of the poor-houses in the State, and 
found a large number of children in them under 16 years of age, 
indiscriminately associated with idiots, maniacs, prostitutes and 
vagrants. Their report recommended the classification of paupers? 
and especially, that children in the county houses, under 16 years, 
should be placed in a State school. The act establishing the school 
was passed in 1871, in conformity with the recommendation. As 
amended in 1873, it provides, in substance, that there shall be received 
as pupils in such school all neglected and dependent children that 
are over four and under 16 years of age, and that are in suitable 
condition of body or mind to receive instruction, especially those 
maintained in the county poor-houses, those who have been deserted 
by their parents, or are orphans, or whose parents have been con- 
victed of crime. It is declared to be the object of the act to pro- 
vide for such children temporary homes only, until homes can be 
procured for them in families. The plans comprehend the ulti- 
mate care of all children of the class described, and it is made 
unlawful to retain such children in poor-houses when there is room 
for them in the State Public School. Dependent orphans and half 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 95 

orphans of deceased soldiers and sailors have the preference of 
admission should there be more applications than room. Provi- 
sion is made for perserving a record of the parentage and history 
of each child. 

The general supervision of the school is delegated to a Board of 
Control, consisting of three members, who are appointed by the 
Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Board 
appoints the superintendent, officers and teachers of the school. 
One officer is appointed to look up homes for the children, to 
apprentice them, and to keep a general oversight of them by visita- 
tion or correspondence. To complete the work of this institution, 
an agent is appointed in each county. 

The internal government of this school is that known as the 
"family" and "congregate" combined, the families consisting of 
about 30 members each, and being under the care of " cottage 
managers," ladies whom the children call " aunties," and who are 
supposed to care for the children as mothers. Each child of suffi- 
cient years is expected to work three hours every day; some work 
on the farm, some in the dining-room and kitchen, while others 
make shoes, braid straw hats, make their own clothing, work in the 
bakery, engine room, laundry, etc. They are required to attend 
school three to five hours a day, according to their ages, and the 
school hours are divided into sessions to accommodate the work. 

The buildings, 10 in number, comprise a main building, eight 
cottages and a hospital, all of brick. The buildings are steam 
heated, lighted with gas and have good bathing facilities. There 
are 41 acres of land in connection with the school, and the total 
value of all the property is about $150,000, furnishing accommoda- 
tions for 240 children. 

STATE REFORM SCHOOL. 

This was established at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern por- 
tion of the city, as the " House of Correction for Juvenile Offend- 
ers," having about it many of the features of a prison. In 1859 
the name was changed to " The State Reform School." The gov- 
ernment and discipline have undergone many and radical changes 
until all the prison features have been removed except those that 
remain in the walls of the original structure, and which remain 
only as monuments of instructive history. No bolts, bars or guards 
are employed. The inmates are necessarily kept under the surveil- 
lance of officers, but the attempts at escape are much fewer than 
under the more rigid regime of former days. This school is for the 
detention, education and reformation of boys between the ages of 
eight and 16 years, who are convicted of light offenses. 

The principal building is four-stories high, including basement, 
and has an extreme length of 246 feet, the center a depth of 48 
feet, and the wings a depth of 33 feet each. Besides, there are two 
u family houses," where the more tractable and less vicious boys 



90 HI8TOR? OF MICHIGAN. 

form a kind of family, as distinguished from the congregate life of 
the institution proper. The boys are required to work a half a day 
and attend school a half a day. A farm of 328 acres belonging to 
the school furnishes work for many of the boys during the working 
season. Some are employed in making clothing and shoes for the 
inmates. The only shop-work now carried on is the cane-seating 
of chairs; formerly, cigars were manufactured here somewhat exten- 
sively. There is no contract labor, but all the work is done by the 
institution itself. 

The number of inmates now averages about 200, and are taken 
care of by a superintendent and assistant, matron and assistant, two 
overseers and six teachers. 

INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB, AND THE BLIND. 

This is located at Flint, 60 miles nearly northwest of Detroit. 
The act establishing it was passed in 1848, and the school was first 
opened in 1854, in a leased building. It is a school in common for 
deaf mutes and the blind, rather from motives of economy than 
from any relation which the two classes bear to one another. 
The buildings were commenced in 1853. The principal ones now 
are: front building, 43 by 72 feet, with east and west wings, each 
28 by 60 feet; center buiiding, 40 by 60, and east and west wings, 
each 50 by 70 feet; main school building, 52 by 54, with two 
wings, each 25 by 60 teet. All of these buildings are four stories 
high ; center of the front building is five stories, including base- 
ment. There are also a boiler and engine house, barns, etc., etc. 
The total value of the buildings is estimated at $358,045, and of 
the 88 acres of land occupied, $17,570. 

The number of inmates has increased from 94 in 1865 to 225 
in 1875. Including the principal, there are 10 teachers employed 
in the deaf and dumb department, and four in the blind, besides 
the matron and her assistants. Tuition and board are free to all 
resident subjects of" the State, and the trustees are authorized to 
assist indigent subjects in the way of clothing, etc., to the amount 
of $40 a year. An annual census of all deaf mutes and blind per- 
sons in the State is officially taken and reported to the overseers 
of the poor, who are to see that these unfortunate members of the 
human family are properly cared for. 

ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, AT KALAMAZOO. 

This institution was established in 1848, and now consists of two 
departments, one for males and the other for females. Thecapacit} 7 
of the former is 280 and of the latter 300 patients. In their general 
construction both buildings are arranged in accordance with the 
principles laid down by the Association of Medical Superintendents 
of American Institutions for the Insane. The buildings are of 
brick, with stone trimmings, and are very substantial, as well as 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 97 

beautiful. The entire cost of both buildings, with all the auxiliary 
structures, and 195 acres of land, is about $727,173.90. The 
buildings were constructed during the war and immediately after- 
ward. The asylum was opened in 1859 for the care of patients, 
and up to Oct. 1, 1875, there had been expended for the care aud 
maintenance of patients, exclusive of the cost of construction, 
$994,711.32. Indigent patients are received and treated at the 
asylum at the expense of the counties to which they belong, on the 
certification of the county authorities, the average cost of main- 
tenance being about $4,124; per week. Pay patients are received 
when there is room for them, the minimum price of board being 
$5 per week. 

EASTERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, AT P0NTIAC. 

These large, beautiful and very modern structures are located 
upon a farm of upward of 300 acres, and were erected in 1873- ? 6 at 
a cost of about $400,000. The general plans are similar to those 
at Kalamazoo. They are built of brick, with stone window caps, 
belt-courses, etc. There are accommodations for not less than 300 
patients. 

Michigan pursues a very enlightened policy toward the chronic 
insane. Provisions have been made for the treatment even of 
the incurable, so that as much good as possible may be done even 
to the most unfortunate. The design is to cure whenever the 
nature of the mental malady will permit; but failing this, to cease 
no effort which could minister to the comfort and welfare of the 
patient. 

PENAL INSTITUTIONS. 

The Detroit House of Correction, although a local institution, is 
used to a considerable extent as an intermediate prison, to which 
persons are sentenced by the courts throughout the State for minor 
offenses. Women convicted of felonies are also sentenced to this 
place. The whole number in confinement at this prison for the past 
decade has averaged a little over 400 at any one time, more males 
than females. The average term of confinement is but a little more 
than two months, and the institution is very faithfully conducted. 

The State Prison at Jackson is one of the best conducted in the 
Union. The total value of the property is valued at $552,113. The 
earnings of the prison in 1S78 were $92,378; number of prisoners; 
800. Their work is let to contractors, who employ 450 men at 
different trades. A coal mine has been recently discovered on the 
prison property, which proves a saving of several thousand dollars 
per annum to the State. The earnings of this prison since Gen. 
Wm. Humphrey has been warden (1875) has exceeded its current 
expenses. 

7 



98 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

The State Prison at Ionia was established a few .years ago for the 
reception of convicts whose crimes are not of the worst type, and 
those who are young, but too old for the Reform School. The 
ground comprises 53 acres of land, 13£ of which is enclosed by a 
brick wall 18 feet high. Estimated value of property, $277,490; 
current expenses for 1878, $45,714; earnings for 1878, $5,892; num- 
ber of prisoners Dec. 31, 1878, 250; number received during the 
year, 346. 

THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 

is distinct from the State Agricultural Board, the latter being sim- 
ply an executive over the Agricultural College under the laws of 
the State. The former was organized at Lansing March 23, 1849, 
and was specially incorporated by act of April 2 following, since 
which time it has numbered among its officers and executive mem- 
bers some of the foremost men of the State. It has held annual 
fairs in various places, and the number of entries for premiums has 
risen from 623 to several thousand, and its receipts from $808.50 to 
$58,780. The premiums offered and awarded have increased pro- 
portionally. 

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 

At an informal meeting of several gentlemen in Grand Rapids 
Feb. 11, 1870, it was resolved to organize a State pomological 
society, and at an adjourned meeting on the 26th of the same month, 
the organization was perfected, and the first officers elected were: H. 
G. Saunders, President; S. L. Fuller, Treasurer; and A. T. Linder- 
man, Secretary. The society was incorporated April 15, 1871, " for 
the purpose of promoting the interest of pomology, horticulture, 
agriculture, and kindred sciences and arts." During the first two 
years monthly meetings were required, but in 1872 quarterly meet- 
ings were substituted. It now has a room in the basement of the 
newcapitol. T. T. Lyon, of South Haven, is President, and Charles 
W. Garfield, of Grand Rapids, Secretary. Under the supervision of 
this society, Michigan led the world in the centennial exposition at 
Philadelphia in the exhibition of winter apples. The contributions 
of this society to pomological literature are also richer than can be 
found elsewhere in the United States. 

STATE FISHKRIES. 

Very naturally, the denser population of the white race, as it 
took possession of this wild country, consumed what they found 
already abundant long before they commenced to renew the stock. 
It was so with the forests; it was so with the fish. An abundance 
of a good variety offish was found in all our rivers and little lakes 
by the early settlers, but that abundance was gradually reduced 
until these waters were entirely robbed of their useful inhabitants. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 99 

Scarcely a thought of re-stocking the inland waters of this State 
was entertained until the spring of 1873, when a board of fish 
commissioners was authorized by law; and while the people gen- 
erally still shook their heads in skepticism, the board went on with 
its duty until these same people are made glad with the results. 

Under the efficient superintendency of Geo. H. Jerome, of Niles, 
nearly all the lakes and streams within the lower peninsula have 
been more or less stocked with shad, white-fish, salmon or lake 
trout, land-locked or native salmon, eel, etc., and special efforts are 
also made to propagate that beautiful and useful fish, the graylinw, 
whose home is in the Manistee and Muskegon rivers. Much more 
is hoped for, however, than is yet realized. Like every other great 
innovation, many failures must be suffered before the brilliant crown 
of final success is won. 

The value of all the property employed in fish propagation in 
the State is but a little over $4,000, and the total expenses of con- 
ducting the business from Dec. 1, 1876, to Julv 1, 1877, were 
$14,000. 

The principal hatcheries are at Detroit and Pokagon. 

THE MICHIGAN STATE FIREMEN 's ASSOCIATION 

was organized April 13, 1875, at Battle Creek, for "the protection 
and promotion of the best interests of the firemen of Michigan, the 
compilation of fire statistics, the collection of information concern- 
ing the practical working of different systems of organization; the 
examination of the merits of the different kinds of fire apparatus 
in use, and the improvement in the same; and the cultivation of a 
fraternal fellowship between the different companies in the State." 
The association holds it meetings annually, at various places in the 
State, and as often publish their proceedings, in pamphlet form. 

STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 

This Board was established in 1873, and consists of seven mem- 
bers, appointed by the Governor, the secretary ex officio a member 
and principal executive officer. It is the duty of this Board to 
make sanitary investigations and inquiries respecting the causes of 
disease, especially of epidemics; the causes of mortality, and the 
effects of localities, employments, conditions, ingesta, habits and 
circumstances on the health of the people; to advise other officers 
in regard to the location, drainage, water supply, disposal of ex- 
creta, heating and ventilation of any public building; and also to 
advise all local health officers concerning their duties; and to 
recommend standard works from time to time on hygiene for the 
use of public schools. The secretary is required to collect informa- 
tion concerning vital statistics, knowledge respecting diseases and 
all useful information on the subject of hygiene, and through an 
annual report, and otherwise, as the Board may direct, to dissemi- 



100 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

nate such information among the people. These interesting duties 
have been performed by Dr. Henry B. Baker from the organization 
of the Board to the present time. The Board meets quarterly at 
Lansing. 

THE LAND OFFICE 

of this State has a great deal of business to transact, as it has within 
its jurisdiction an immense amount of new land in market, and 
much more to come in. During the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 
1877, the total number of acres sold was 50,835.72, for $87,968.05, 
of which $69,800.54 was paid in hand. At that time-the amount of 
land still owned by the State was 3,049,905.46, of which 2,430,050.- 
47 acres were swamp land, 447,270.89 primary school, 164,402.55 
Agricultural College, 310.26 University, 160 Normal School, 2.- 
115.63 Salt Spring, 1,840 Asylum, 32.40 State building, 3,342.75 
asset, and 380.31 internal improvement. But of the foregoing, 
1,817,084.25 acres, or more than half, are not in market. 

STATE LIBRARY. 

Territorial Library , 1828-1835. — The first knowledge that we 
have of this library, is derived from the records found in the printed 
copies of the journals and documents of the Legislative Councils of 
the Territory, and in the manuscript copies of the executive jour- 
nals. 

The library was established by an act of the Legislative Council, 
approved June 16, 1828, authorizing the appointment of a librarian 
by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council. 

The librarian so appointed was required to take an oath of office 
and give bond to the treasurer of the Territory in the sum of $1,- 
000, for the faithful performance of his duties; his time of service 
was for two years or until another be appointed. 

The librarian was also required to take charge of the halls and 
committee room, and other property appertaining to the Legislative 
Council. He was also required to make an annual report to the 
Council, upon the state of the library, and upon all such branches 
of duty as might from time to time be committed to his charge. 
For his services he was to receive annually the sum of $100. 

The library seemed to have been kept open only during the actual 
sittings of the Legislative Council. 

The executive journal by its records shows that under the pro- 
visions of this act, William B. Hunt was appointed librarian July 
3, 1828, by Gov. Lewis Cass, for the term of two years. Mr. Hunt 
continued to act as librarian until March 7, 1834, when Gersham 
Mott Williams was appointed by Gov. Porter. Mr. Williams seems 
to have acted as librarian until the organization of the institution 
as a State library. 

The honored names of Henry B. Schoolcraft, Charles Moraii, 
Daniel S. Bacon,Calvin Brittain, Elon Farnsworth, Charles C. Ha - 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 101 

call and others are found in the list of the members of the Library 
committee. 

March, 1836, the State library was placed in charge of the Secre- 
tary of State; in February, 1837. it was given to thecareof the pri- 
vate secretary of the Governor; Dec. 28 following its custody was 
given to the Governor and Secretary of State, with power to appoint 
a librarian and make rules and regulations for its government. C 
C. Jackson acted as the first librarian for the State. Lewis Bond 
also had the care of the books for a time. Oren Marsh was appointed 
librarian in 1837, and had the office several years. In March, 1840, 
the law was again changed, and the library was placed in the care 
of the Secretary of State, and the members of the Legislature and 
executive officers of the State were to have free access to it at all 
times. 

State Library. — The library was of course increased from time 
to time by Legislative appropriations. In 1844, as the result of the 
efforts of Alexandre Yattemare, from Paris, a system of interna- 
tional exchanges was adopted. 

April 2, 1850, an act was passed requiring the Governor to 
appoint a State librarian with the consent of the Senate, and it was 
made the duty of the librarian to have the sole charge of the library. 
This act, with, some amendments, still remains in force. It requires 
the librarian to make biennial reports and catalogues. The libra- 
rians under this act have been: Henry Tisdale, April 2, 1850, to 
Jan. 27, 1851; Charles J. Fox, to July 1, 1853; Charles P. Bush, 
to Dec. 5. 1854; John James Bush, to Jan. 6. 1855; DeWitt C. 
Leach, to Feb. 2, 1857; George W. Swift, to Jan. 27, 1859; J. 
Eugene Tenney, to April 5, 1869; and Mrs. Harriet A. Tenney to 
the present time. This lady has proved to be one of the best libra- 
rians in the United States. She has now in her charge about 60,- 
000 volumes, besides thousands of articles in the new and rapidly 
growing museum department. She is also Secretary of the " Pio- 
neer Society of the State of Michigan," and has charge of the books, 
papers and relics collected by that society. The library and these 
museums are now kept in the new State capitol at Lansing, in a 
series of rooms constructed for the purpose, and are all arranged in 
the most convenient order and with the neatest taste. 

BANKS. 

The earliest effort for the establishment of a bank within the pres- 
ent limits of the State of Michigan was in 1805. The act of Con- 
gress establishing the Territory of Michigan conferred legislative 
powers on the Governor and judges; and at their first session as a 
Board, a petition for an act incorporating a bank was presented to 
them. This was at a time whei the local business could scarcely 
have demanded a banking institution, or have afforded much prom- 
ise of its success. The small town of Detroit had just been laid in 
ashes, and the population of the entire Territory was inconsidera- 




LAW BVILDINO 




INIVE; SITY HALL. 



UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR. 




MEDICAL BUILDING. 




CHEMICAL LABORATORY. 



UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR. 



104 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

ble, being reckoned five years previously at only 551; in 1810, it 
was less than 5,000; the country was possessed mainly by the 
Indians, and the few French in the State were neither enterprising 
nor prosperous. No road pierced the forests of the interior; no 
manufactories existed; agriculture yielded nothing for market, and 
navigation had scarcely begun to plow our rivers and lakes. In 
general commerce the fur trade was almost the only element. 

The petition lor a bank charter was presented, not by citizens of 
Detroit, but by capitalists of Boston, Russell Sturges and others, 
who were engaged in the fur trade. This petition was granted Sept. 
15, 1806, incorporating the "Bank of Detroit, 1 ' with a capital of 
$400,000. The great distance of this locality from New England 
gave those capitalists the advantage of circulating inland bills of 
credit against their Western banks for a long time before their 
redemption. Judge Woodward, one of the judges who granted the 
act of incorporation, was appointed its president, and the bank went 
into immediate operation; but imputations unfavorable to Judge 
Woodward in regard to this and other matters led to a Congres- 
sional investigation of the act incorporating the bank, and the act 
was disapproved by that body. The bank, however, continued to do 
business; but in September, 1808, the Governor and judges, in the 
absence of Woodward, passed an act making it punishable as a crime 
to carry on an unauthorized banking business, and this put an end 
to the brief existence of the institution. Its bills were quietly with- 
drawn from circulation the following year. 

The next bank established in the Territory was the "Bank of 
Michigan," incorporated by the Board of Governor and Judges, 
Dec. 19, 1817, with a capital of $100,000. The validity of this act 
was fully established by the courts in 1830. By the terms of its 
charter, the corporation was to expire on the first Monday in June, 
1839; but the Legislative Council, Feb. 25,1831, extended its life 
twenty-five years longer, and subsequently it was allowed to increase 
its capital stock and establish a branch at Bronson, now Kalamazoo. 

The two above named are all the banks which derived their cor- 
porate existence from the Governor and judges. 

The first bank charter granted by the " Legislative Council " was 
to the Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank of Michigan," approved 
April 2, 1827. The bank was to be established at Detroit, with a 
capital of $200,000, with liberty to increase it to $500,000. This 
corporation was also made an insurance company; but it does not 
appear a company was ever organized under this charter. March 
29, 1827, the '' Bank of Monroe " was incorporated, its capital stock 
to be $100,000 to $500,000, and to continue in existence 20 years. 
The " Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Michigan " was chartered 
Nov. 5, 1829, and March 7,1834, it was allowed to increase its 
capital stock, and establish a branch at St. Joseph. The " Bank of 
River Raisin " was chartered June 29, 1832, and allowed to have a 
branch at Pontiac. The " Bank of Wisconsin " was chartered Jan. 
23, 1835, and was to be located in the Green Bay country, but on 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 105 

the organization of the State of Michigan it was thrown outside of 
its jurisdiction. 

March 26, 1835, there were incorporated four banks, namely: 
" Michigan State Bank" at Detroit, " Bank of Washtenaw" at Ann 
Arbor, " Bank of Pontiac," and the " Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad 
Bank" at Adrian. The ''Bank of Pontiac" was also a railroad 
bank, its establishment being an amendment to the charter of the 
" Detroit and Pontiac Railroad Company." 

The nine banks last above named are all that were created by the 
"Legislative Council." 

Next, the State Legislature in 1836 chartered the Bank of Man- 
hattan, Calhoun County Bank. Bank of St. Clair, Bank of Clinton, 
Bank of Ypsilanti, Bank of Macomb, Bank of Tecumseh and Bank 
of Constantine. The same Legislature passed "an act to create a 
fund for the benefit of the creditors of certain moneyed corpora- 
tions," which was in fact the famous safety-fund system of the State 
of New York. It required each bank to deposit with the State 
Treasurer, at the beginning of each year, a sum equal to one-half of 
one per cent, on the capital stock paid in; and the fund so created 
was to be held and used for the benefit of the creditors whenever 
any bank subject to its provisions should become insolvent; but this 
statute was destined to have but little practical effect. The system 
in New York proved inadequate for the security of the public 
interests, and it was practically abandoned here. 

By this time, the financial affairs of the whole country had 
become sadly deranged, consequent upon a wild and reckless spirit 
of speculation. The currency became greatly inflated, fabulous 
prices given to property, and the masses of the people subjected to 
the cruel mercies of shrewd financiers. The session of 1837 was 
flooded with petitions for the creation of banks, and the Legislature 
met the emergency by adopting a sj T stem of free banking, under 
which were organized a great number of those institutions since 
known as " wild-cat banks." The statute authorized any 12 free- 
holders of any county who desired to do banking, to apply to the 
treasurer and clerk of the county for that purpose, and books were 
to be opened for subscriptions to the capital stock, $50,000 to $300,- 
000. Ten per cent, on each share was required to be paid in specie 
at the time of subscribing, and 30 per cent, of the entire capital 
stock in like funds before the association should commence opera- 
tions. The president and directors were also required to furnish 
securities for the payment of all debts and redemption of all notes 
issned by the association. 

This new law was popularly received with great enthusiasm. 
On its final passage in the House, only four members were bold 
enough to vote against it, namely: Almv, of Kent; Monfore, of 
Macomb; Purdy, of Washtenaw, and Felch of Monroe. This 
Legislature closed its session March 22, 1837, by adjournment to 
Nov. 9, following; but the financial embarrassments of the country 
increased so rapidly that the Governor called an extra session of 



106 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the Legislature for June 12, arid in his message he attributed these 
embarrassments, in a great measure, to the error of over-banking, 
over-trading, and a want of providence and economy. The banks 
east and south had already suspended specie payments, and Mich- 
igan was of necessit}' drawn into the vortex. The report, to this 
Legislature, by a special commissioner appointed by the Governor, 
held forth, however, that the banks of Michigan were solvent, but 
that a little time may be granted them as a defense against the 
results of suspensions in New York and elsewhere. The number 
of banks doing business in this State at that time was 13 in num- 
ber, previously mentioned. The Legislature granted them time 
until May 16, 1838. The session of the winter following under- 
took to secure the public by appointing three bank commissioners 
to visit all the banks in the State at least once in every three 
months, to examine the specie held by them, inspect their books, 
and inform themselves generally of their aifairs and transactions; 
monthly statements of the condition of the banks were required to 
be made and published, and no bills were to be issued without 
bearing the endorsement of a bank commissioner, etc. Under the 
general banking law, as already stated, every subscriber to the stock 
was to pay in 10 per cent, in specie on each share at the time of 
subscribing, and 10 every six months thereafter, and 30 per cent, 
of the whole capital stock was required to be paid in like manner 
before the bank should commence operations. The specie thus 
paid in was to be the capital of the bank and the basis of its busi- 
ness operations. The requirement of it involved the principle 
that banking could not be carried on without hona-fide capital, and 
without it no bank could be permitted to flood the country with its 
bills; but the investigations of the commissioners showed a very 
general violation of the law in this respect. In many cases, instead 
of specie, a kind of paper denominated " specie certificates " was 
used; in some cases, specie borrowed for the occasion was used and 
immediately returned to the owner; sometimes, even, a nail-keg 
filled with old iron, or gravel, or sand and covered over the top 
with specie, was employed to deceive the commissioners; and 
sometimes the notes of individual subscribers or others, usually 
denominated " stock notes," were received and counted as specie. 
The books of the banks were also kept in so imperfect a manner, 
sometimes through incompetency, sometimes with fraudulent de- 
sign, as frequent^ to give little indication of the transactions of 
the bank or of the true condition of its affairs. By proprietorship of 
several banks in one company of men. by frequent sale and trans- 
fer of the stock, and by many other tricks and turns, a little specie 
was made to go a great way in flooding the country with worthless 
paper. 

It is manifest that this conditon of things could not have existed 
without a fearful amount of fraud and perjury. In the excitement 
and recklessness of the times, amid ruined fortunes and blighted 
hopes, the moral sense had become callous. The general banking 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 107 

law was not without some good features, but it came into existence 
at a most unfortunate time, and the keenness and unscrupulous- 
ness of desperate men, taking advantage of its weak points and 
corruptly violating its salutary provisions, used it to the public 
injury. ' 

Under this law about 40 banks went into operation, many of 
them in remote and obscure places, and before the commissioners 
could perfect their work of reform the crisis came and the catas- 
trophe could not be averted. Failure rapidly succeeded failure, 
atid legitimately chartered banks were drawn into the same vortex 
with the " wild-cat " institutions. Only seven banks escaped the 
whirlpool, and the worthless paper afloat represented more than a 
million dollars. As ex-G-ov. Alpheus Felch well says: 

" Thus ends the history of that memorable financial epoch. 
Forty years have passed since these events, and few remain who can 
remember the excitement and distrust, the fear and despondency, 
the hopes and disappointments which agitated the community, 
in those days of inflation and speculation, of bankruptcy and 
financial distress; and fewer still remain who bore part in the 
transactions connected with them. We look back upon them to 
read the lessons which their history teaches. The notion that 
banks without real capital, or a currency which can never be 
redeemed, can relieve from debts or insolvency, is tried and 
exploded. We are led to the true principle, that prosperity, both 
public and individual, awaits upon industry and economy, judicious 
enterprise and honest productive labor, free from wild speculation 
and unprofitable investments, and a wise and prudent use of our 
abundant resources." 

In 1875 there were 77 national banks in this State, doing an 
annual business of about $26,000,000; 15 State banks, with a busi- 
ness of nearly $4,000,000, and 12 savings banks, with a business of 
$6,000,000. 

GEOLOGY. 

The lower peninsula occupies the central part of a great synclinal 
basin, toward which the strata dip from all directions, and which 
are bounded on all sides by anticlinal swells and ridges. The 
limits of this basin exceed those of the peninsula, extending to 
London, Out., Madison, Wis., Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie. 
The whole series of strata may therefore be compared to a nest of 
dishes, the lower and exterior ones representing the older strata. 

The upper peninsula is divided by the Marquette-Wisconsin 
anticlinal into two geological areas, the eastern belonging to the 
great basin above alluded to, and the western being lacustrine in 
its character, and largely covered by Lake Superior. The southern 
rim of the latter is seen uplifted along Keweenaw Point and the 
south shore of the lake, and these strata re-appear at Isle Royale. 



108 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Between the Michigan and lacustrine basins the metalliferous JVtar- 
quette-Wisconsin axis interposes a separating belt of about 50 
miles. 

The palaeozoic great system of this State measures about 2,680 
feet in thickness, of which the Silurian division is 920 feet, the 
Devonian 1,040 feet, and the carboniferous 720 feet. 

The coal-bearing group occupies the central portion of the 
peninsula, extending from Jackson to township 20 north, and from 
range 8 east to 10 west. 

Of iron, hematite and magnetite, in immense lenticular masses 
of unsurpassed purity, abound in the Huronian rocks of the upper 
peninsula. The former of these, under the action of water, 
becomes soft, and is called Limonite, and is abundant throughout 
the State as an earthy ore or ochre, bog ore, shot ore, yellow ochre, 
etc. Sometimes it is deposited in stalactitic. mammillary, 
botryoidal and velvety forms of great beauty. Kidnej' ore abounds 
in the Huron clays, and " black-band" in the coal measures. 

Of copper, native, in the " trap " of Lake Superior, abounds in 
the form of sheets, strings and masses. Gold, silver and lead are 
also found in unimportant quantities in the Lake Superior region. 

Salt abounds in the Saginaw region, gypsum, or " land plaster " 
in the vicinity of Grand Rapids, building stone throughout the 
State, manganese in many places, and many other valuable earths, 
ores and varieties of stone in many places. 



NEWSPAPERS. 



There are about 275 newspapers and periodical publications in 
Michigan, of all classes. Of these '224 are published weekly, 17 
daily and weekly, two daily, seven semi-weekly, one tri-weekly, four 
semi-monthly, 19 monthly, one quarterly^ and one yearly; 112 are 
Republican, 46 Democratic, 73 independent and neutral, 14 relig- 
ious, and 15 miscellaneous. Among the latter are two Methodist, 
seven Adventist (two Dutch or Ilollandisch), one Episcopal, one 
Catholic and one Baptist; four mining, five educational, one 
Masonic, one Odd-Fellow, one Grange, three medical and one agri- 
cultural. Five are printed in the German language, six in the 
Dutch, one in the Swedish and one in the Danish. 



The present population of Michigan, according to the census of 
1880, is as follows: Male, 862,278; females, 774,057; native born, 
1,247,989; foreign, 388,346; white, 1,614,087; colored, 22,248; 
total, 1,636,335. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



109 



STATE OFFICERS. 



Oovs. During French Rule. Ap y d. 

Sieur de Mesey 1663 

Sieur de Courcelles 1605 

Sieur de Frontenac 1672 

Sieur de LaBarre 1682 

Marquis de Denonville 1685 

Sieur de Frontenac 1689 

Chevalier de Callieres 1699 

Marquis de Vaudreuil 1703 

Marquis de Beauharnois 1726 

Compt de la Galissoniere 1747 

Sieur de la Jonquiere 1749 

Marquis du Quesne de Menneville.1752 
Sieur de Vaudreuil de Cavagnal. . . .1755 

Govs. During British Rule- 

James Murray 1765 

Paulus E. Irving. 1766 

Guy Carleton 1766 

Hector T. Cramahe 1770 

Guy Carleton 1774 

Frederick Haldimand 1778 

Henry Hamilton 1784 

Henry Hope 1785 

Lord Dorchester 1786 

Alured Clarke 1791 

Lord Dorchester 1798 

Governors of Michigan Territory. 

William Hull 1805 

Lewis Cass 1813 

George B. Porter 1831 

Stevens T. Mason, ex officio 1834 

John T. Horner, ex officio 1835 

State Governors. Elected. 

Stevens T. Mason 1835 

William Woodbridge 1840 

J. Wright Gordon, acting 1841 

John S Barry 1842 

Alpheus Felch , 1846 

Win. L. Greenly, acting 1847 

Epaphroditus Ransom 1848 

John S. Barry 1850 

Robert McClelland 1852 

Andrew Parsons, acting 1853 

Kinsley S. Bingham 1855 

Moses Wisner 1859 

Austin Blair 1861 

Henry H. Crapo 1865 

Henry P. Baldwin 1869 

John J. Bagley 1873 

Charles M. Croswell 1877 

David H . Jerome 1881 

Lieut-Governors of Michigan. 

Edward Mundy 1835 

J. Wright Gordon 1840 

Origen D. Richardson 1842 

Wm. L. Greenly 1846 

Wm. M. Fenton 1848 



Wm. L. Greenly. . ., 1849 

Calvin Britain 1852 

Andrew Parsons 1853 

George A. Coe 1855 

Edmund B Fairfield 1859 

James Biruey 1861 

Joseph R. Williams, acting 1861 

Henry T. Backus, acting 1862 

Charles S. May 1863 

E. O. Grosvenor 1865 

Dwight May 1867 

Morgan Bates 1869 

Henry H. Holt 1873 

Alonzo Sessions 1877 

Moreau S. Crosby 1881 

Secretaries of State. 

Kintzing Pritchette 1835 

Randolph Manning 1838 

Thomas Rowland 1840 

Robert P Eldridge '. 1842 

G. O. Whittemore 1846 

George W. Peck 1848 

George Redfield 1850 

Charles H. Taylor 1850 

William Graves 1853 

John McKinney ..1855 

Nelson G. Isbell 1859 

James B. Porter 1861 

O. L. SpauldiDg 1867 

Daniel Striker 1871 

E. G. D. Holden 1875 

William Jenney 1879 

State Treasurers. 

Henry Howard 1836 

Peter Desnoyers 1839 

Robert Stuart 1840 

George W. Germain 1841 

John J. Adam 1842 

George Redfield 1845 

George B . Cooper 1846 

Barnard C. Whittemore 1850 

Silas M. Holmes 1855 

John McKinney 1859 

John Owen 1861 

E. O. Grosvenor 1867 

Victory P. Collier 1871 

Wm. B. McCreery 1875 

Benj. D. Pritchard 1879 

Attorneys-General. 

Daniel Le Roy 1836 

Peter Morey 1837 

Zephaniah Piatt 1841 

Elon Farnsworth 1843 

Henry N. Walker 1845 

Edward Mundy 1847 

Geo. V. N. Lothrop 1848 

William Hale 1851 



110 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



Jacob M. Howard 1855 

Charles Upson 1861 

Albeit Williams 1863 

Win. L. Stoughton 1867 

Dwight May 1869 

Byron D. Ball 1873 

Isaac Marston. 1874 

Andrew J. Smith 1875 

OttoKirchner 1877 

Auditor s-Qeneral. 

Robert Abbott. 1836 

Henry Howard, 1839 

Eurotas P . Hastings 1840 

Alpheus Felch, 1842 

Henry L. Whipple 1842 

Charles G. Hammond 1845 

John J. Adam 1845 

Digby V. Bell 1846 

John J. Adam 1848 

John Swegles, Jr. 1851 

Whitney Jones ,1855 

Daniel L. Case 1859 

Langford G. Berry 1861 

Emil Anneke 1863 

William Humphrey 1867 

Ralph Ely 1875 

W. Irving Latimer 1879 

Supts. Pub. Inst. 

John D. Pierce 1838 

Franklin Sawyer, Jr 1841 

Oliver C. Comstock 1843 

Ira May hew 1845 

Francis W. Shearman 1849 

Ira Mayhew 1865 

John M. Gregory 1859 

Oramel Hosford 1865 

Daniel B. Briggs 1873 

Horace S. Tarbell 1877 

Cornelius A. Gower . 1878 

Judges of the Supreme Court. 

Augustus B. Woodward 1805-24 

Frederick Bates 1805-8 

John Griffin.. 1806-24 

James Witherell 1808-28 

Solomon Sibley 1824-36 

IleDry Chipman. 1827-32 

Wm. Woodbridge 1828-32 

Ross Wilkins 1832-6 

Wm. A Fletcher 1836-42 

Epaphroditus Ransom 1836-47 

George Morell 1836-42 

Charles W. Whipple 1843-52 

Alpheus Felch. 1842-5 

David Goodwin 1H43-6 

Warner Wing 1845-56 

George Miles 1846-50 

Edward Mundy 1848-51 

Sanford M. Green 1848-57 

George Martin 1851-2 

Joseph T. Copeland 1852-7 

Samuel T. Douglas 1852 7 



David Johnson 1852-7 

Abner Pratt 1851-7 

Charles W. Whipple 1852-5 

Nathaniel Bacon 1855-8 

Saudford M. Green 1856-8 

E. H. C. Wilson. 1856-8 

Benj. F. H. Witherell, Benj. F. 

Graves, Josiah Turner and Ed- 
win Lawrence, to fill vacancies 

in the latter part of 1857 

George Martin 1858-68 

Randolph Manning 1858-64 

Isaac P. Christiancy 1858-77 

James V . Campbell 1838 

Thomas M. Cooley 1864 

Benj . F. Graves 1868 

Isaac Marston 1875 

U. S. Senators- 

John Norvell 1835-41 

Lucius Lyon 1836-40 

Augustus S. Porter. . . 1840-5 

Win. Woodbridge 1841-7 

Lewis Cass , 1845-57 

Thos. H. Fitzgerald 1848-9 

Alpheus Felch 1847-53 

Charles E. Stuart 1853-9 

Zachariah Chandler 1857-77 

Kinsley S. Bingham 1859-61 

Jacob M. Howard 1862-71 

Thomas W. Ferry 1871 

Henry P Baldwin... 1880 

Z. Cliandler 1878-9 

OmarD. Conger 1881 

Representatives in Congress. 

Isaac E. Crary 1835-41 

Jacob M. Howard 1841-3 

Lucius Lyon 1843-5 

Robert McClelland 1843-9 

James B. Hunt 1843-7 

John S. Chipman 1845-7 

Charles E. Stuart 1847-9 

Kinsley S. Bingham 1849-51 

Alex. W. Buel 1849 51 

William Sprague 1849-50 

Charles E, Stuart 1851-3 

James L. Conger 1851-3 

Ebenezer J. Penniman 1851-3 

Samuel Clark 1 853-5 

David A. Noble.. 1853-5 

Hester L- Stevens 1853-5 

David Stuart 1853-5 

George W. Peck 1855-7 

Wm. A. Howard 1855-61 

Henry Waldron 1855-61 

David S. Walbridge 1855-9 

D. C. Leach , 1857-61 

Francis W. Kellogg 1859-65 

B. F. Grander 1861-3 

F. C. Beaman. 1861-71 

R. E. Trowbridge 1861-3 

( harles Upson 1863-9 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. Ill 

John W • Lonsrvear 1 863 7 Josiah W. Begole 1873-5 

JohnF. Drigga 1863-9 Nathan B. Bradley 1873-7 

i i E. Trowbridge 1865-9 Jay A. Hubbell 1873 

Thomas W. Ferry 1800-71 W. B. Williams 1875-7 

Vustin Blair 1867-73 Alpheua S Williams 1875-9 

VVm . L . Stoughton 1869-73 Mark S. Brewer 1877 

Omar D. Longer 1869-81 Charles <J. Ellsworth 1877-9 

Randolph Strickland 1869 71 Edwin W. Keightley 1877-9 

Henry Waldron 1871 5 Jonas II. McGowan 1877 

Wilder D. Foster 1871-3 John W. Stone 1877 

JabezG Sutherland 1871-3 Edwin Willits 1»77 

Moses W. Field 1873 5 Koswell G. Horr 1879 

< teorge Willard 1875-7 John S. Newberry 1879 

.) ulius 0. Burrows 1873-5, 187!) 

The State printing is done by contract, the contractors for the 
last 13 years being W. S. George & Co. (Geo. Jerome), the former 
the active partner, who also publishes and edits the Lansing Re- 
publican, a paper noted for originality, condensation and careful 
" make-up." 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

Michigan is a little southeast of the center of the continent of 
North America, and with reference to all the resources of wealth 
and civilization is most favorably situated. It is embraced between 
the parallels of 41°.692 and I7°.478 north latitude, and the merid- 
ians of 82°.407 and 90°.536 west of Greenwich. The upper 
peninsula has its greatest extent east and west, and the lower, north 
and south. The extreme length of the upper peninsula is 318 
miles, and its extreme breadth, 164^ miles; its area, 22,580 square 
miles. The length Of the lower peninsula is 277 miles, its width, 
259 miles, and its area, 33,871 square miles. The upper peninsula 
is rugged and rocky, affording scarcely anything but minerals as a 
source of wealth; the lower is level, covered with forests of valuable 
timber, and is excellent for all the products of Northern States. 

The total length of the lake shore is 1,620 miles, and there are 
over 5,000 smaller lakes in the States, having a total area of 1,114 
square miles. 

A RETROSPECT. 

And now, how natural to turn our eyes and thoughts back to the 
log-cabin days of less than 50 years ago, and contrast it with the 
elegant mansion of modern times. Before us stands the old log 
cabin. Let us enter. Instinctively the head is uncovered in token 
of reverence to this relic of ancestral beginnings and early struggles. 
To the left is the deep, wide fire-place, in whose commodious space 
a group of children may sit by the tire and up through the chimney 
may count the stars, while ghostly stories of witches and giants, 
and still more thrilling stories of Indians and wild beasts, are 
whisperingly told and shudderingly heard. On the great crane 
hang the old tea-kettle and the great iron pot. The huge shovel 
and tongs stand sentinel in either corner, while the great andirons 



112 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

patiently wait for the huge back log. Over the fire-place hangs the 
trusty rifle. On the right side of the fire-place stands the spin- 
ning-wheel, while in the further end of the room the loom looms 
up with a dignity peculiarly its own. Strings of drying apples and 
poles of drying pumpkin are overhead. Opposite the door by 
which yon enter stands a huge deal table; by its side the dresser 
whose " pewter plates" and "shining delf" catch and reflect " the 
fire-place flame as shields of armies do the sunshine." From the 
corner of its shelves coyly peep out the relics of former china. In 
a curtained corner and hid from casual sight we find the mother's 
bed, and under it the trundle-bed, while near them a ladder indi- 
cates the loft where the older children sleep. To the left of the fire- 
place and in the corner opposite the spinning-wheel is the mother's 
work-stand. Upon it lies the Holy Bible, evidently much used, its 
family record telling of parents and friends a long way off, and 
telling, too, of children 

Scattered like roses in bloom, 

Some at the bridal, and some at the tomb. 

Her spectacles, as if but just used, are inserted between the leaves 
of her Bible, and tell of her purpose to return to its comforts 
when cares permit and duty is done. A stool, a bench, well notched 
and whittled and carved, and a few chairs complete the furniture of 
the room, and all stand on a coarse but well-scoured floor. Let us 
for a moment watch the city visitors to this humble cabin. The 
city bride, innocent but thoughtless, and ignorant of labor and care, 
asks her city-bred husband, "Pray what savages set this up?" 
Honestly confessing his ignorance, he replies, '• I do not know." 
But see the pair on whom age sits "frosty but kindly." First, as 
they enter they give a rapid giance about the cabin home, and then 
a mutual glance of eye to eye. Why do tears start and fill their 
eyes? Why do lips quiver? There are many who know why, but 
who that has not learned in the school of experience the full mean- 
ing of all these symbols of trials and privation, of loneliness and 
danger, can comprehend the story that they tell to the pioneer? 
Within this chinked and mud-daubed cabin, we read the first pages 
of our history, and as we retire through its low doorway, and note 
the heavy battened door, its wooden hinges, and its welcoming 
latch-string, is it strange that the scenes without should seem to be 
but a dream? But the cabin and the palace, standing side by side 
in vivid contrast, tell the story of this people's progress. They are 
a history and prophecy in one. 



,.;■.. ■:,.■„.. ■. 







HISTORY OF SAGINAW COONTY 



CHAPTER I. 



THE INDIANS. 

The origin of the red men, or American Indians, is a subject 
which interests as well as instructs. It is a favorite with the 
ethnologist, even as it is one of deep concern to the ordinary 
reader. The era of their establishment as a distinct and insulated 
people must be set down and credited to a period immediately after 
the separation of the Asiatics and the origin of the languages. ~No 
doubt whatever can exist when the American Indian is regarded as 
of Asiatic origin. The fact is that the full-blood Indian of the pres- 
ent is descended directly from the earliest inhabitants, or, in other 
words, from the survivors of that people who, on being driven from 
their fair possessions, retired to the wilderness in sorrow, and 
reared up their children under the saddening influences of their 
unquenchable griefs, bequeathing them only the habits of the wild, 
cloud-roofed homes of their exile — a sullen silence and a rude 
moral code. In after years those wild sons of the forest and 
prairie grew in numbers and in strength. Some legend told them 
of their present sufferings, of the high station which their fathers 
once had held, and of the riotous race that now reveled in the 
wealth which should be theirs. The fierce passions of the savage 
were aroused, and uniting their scattered bands, all marched in 
silence upon the villages of the Tartars, driving them onward to 
the capital of their Incas, and consigning their homes to the flames. 
Once in view of the great city, the hurrying bands halted in sur- 
prise, while Tartar cunning took advantage of the situation, and 
offered to the sons of their former victims pledges of amity and 
justice, which were sacredly observed. Henceforth Mexico was 
open to the Indians, bearing precisely the same relation to them 
that the Hudson Bay Company's villages do to the Northwestern 
Indians of the present time, — obtaining all and rendering little. 

The subjection of the Mongolian race, represented in North 
America by that branch of it to which those Tartars belonged, 
seems to have taken place about five centuries prior to the arrival 
of the Spaniards; while it may be concluded that the war of the 
races, which resulted in reducing the villages erected by the Tartar 

8 (115) 



116 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

hordes to ruin, took place between one and two hundred years 
later. These statements, though actually referring to events which 
in point of time are comparatively modern, can be substantiated 
only by the fact that about the periods mentioned the dead bodies 
of an unknown race of men were \* ashed ashore on the European 
coasts; while previous to that time there is no account whatever 
in European annals of even a vestige of trans-Atlantic humanity 
being transferred by ocean currents to the shores of the Old 
World. Toward the latter half of the fifteenth century, two dead 
bodies, entirely free from decomposition and corresponding with 
the characteristics of the red men, as afterward seen by Colum- 
bus, were cast ashore on the Azores, and confirmed the great 
discoverer in his belief in the existence of a western world and a 
western people. 

Storm and flood and disease have created sad havoc in the ranks 
of the aborigines since the occupation of the country by the white 
man. Inherent causes have led to the decimation of the race even 
more than the advance of civilization, which seems not to affect it 
materially. In the maintenance of the same number of represent- 
atives during three centuries, and its existence in the very face of 
a most unceremonious, and, whenever necessary, cruel conquest, 
the grand dispensations of the Unseen Ruler are demonstrated; 
for, without the aborigines, savage and treacherous as they were, 
it is possible that the explorers of former times would have so 
many natural difficulties to contend with that their work would be 
surrendered in despair, and the most fertile regions of the conti- 
nent saved for the plow-shares of the coming generations. It is 
very questionable whether the ultimate resolve of Columbus was 
not strengthened by the appearance of the bodies of Indians on the 
coast of Europe, even as the fact of the existence of a people in 
the interior led the French explorers into the very heart of the 
continent in later days. From this standpoint their services can 
not be over-estimated. Their existence is embraced in the plan of 
the Divinity for his government of the world; and it will not be a 
matter of surprise to learn that the same intelligence which sent a 
thrill of liberty through every nerve of the Republic will, in the 
near future, devise some method under which the remnant of a 
great and ancient race may taste the sweets of public sympathy, 
and feel that, after a long season of suffering, they have at last 
found a shelter amid a sympathizing people, vf 

EARLY EXPLORERS. 

Among such a people did the Jesuit fathers — Claude Allouez 
and Claude Dablon — venture in 1665; Father Jacques Marquette 
and Louis Joliet in 1668, and the hundred missionaries who fol- 
lowed after them. Many of those zealous men visited the lodges 
of the Saginaws while yet the spirit of Pontiac was living and 
breathing death to the pale-face; but the very warriors who went 
forth in 1762 to aid the great Indian chieftain in his proposed 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 117 

capture of the English garrison of Detroit were among the first to 
bid the Frenchmen welcome to the valley of the Saginaw, as also 
to go to the aid of La Balme in 1780, when he marched against 
the English position at Detroit. 

About the year 1520 the Chippewas gained possession of this 
district, when the massacre of Skull Island resulted in almost the 
total annihilation of the original possessors, the Sauks. The story 
of this massacre is thus related by William McCormick: 

BATTLE OF SKULL ISLAND. 

" On nearly all the tributaries can be found mounds filled with 
human bones, which I have opened for my own satisfaction, and 
found them lying in all directions, showing they were thrown 
together without any regularity, upon which I became satisfied 
they were killed in battle. This awakened in me a curiosity to 
find out what people they were, and where and what had become 
of them. I often questioned the Indians in regard to it, but they 
would invariably say that there were two or three very old Indians 
living on the bay that could tell me all about it, giving me their 
names. Accordingly, in one of my journeys to the bay I sought 
out the Indians in question. I think this was in 1834. I found 
him a very old man, and asked him his age. He said he thought 
he was a great deal over 100 years. His faculties were as bright 
as a man of 50. I told him I understood he could give me the 
tradition of his race. He replied he could, as it was handed down 
to him by his grandfather, who he said was older than he was now 
when he told him. For fear I would not get it correct I called to* 
my aid an educated man who was part Indian, Peter Grewett, a 
man well known by the early settlers as an Indian trader, and is 
still living, I believe, in Gratiot county, and has spent his life 
with the Indians, in the fur trade, and was for many years in 
the employment of the American Fur Company. 

"The old Indian, Puttasamine by name, commenced as follows: 
He said the Sauks occupied the whole of the Saginaw river and 
its tributaries, extending from Thunder Bay on the north to the 
head of the Shiawassee on the south, and from Lake Michigan on? 
the west to Detroit on the east. The balance of Michigan was 
occupied by the Pottawatomies, and the Lake Superior country was 
occupied by the Chippewas and Ottawas, while the Monomonies 
were at the head of Green Bay in Wisconsin, and another tribe 
west of the Mississippi which he called Sows. The main village 
of the Sauks stood on the west side of the Saginaw river, just below 
where the residence of Mr. Frank Fitzhugh now is, and opposite 
the mill of the Hon. N. B. Bradley. The Sauks were always at war 
with their Chippewa neighbors on the north and the Pottawatomies 
on the south, and also with other nations in Canada, until at last 
a council was called, consisting of the Chippewas, Pottawatomies, 
Monomonies, Ottawas, and Six Nations of New York. At an 
appointed time they all met at the Island of Mackinaw, where they 



118 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

fitted out a large army and started in bark canoes, and came down 
the west shore of Lake Huron. They then stole along the west 
shore of Saginaw Bay by night, and lay concealed during the day, 
until they arrived at a place called Petobegong, about ten miles 
from the mouth of the Saginaw. Here they landed part of their 
army, while the rest crossed the bay and landed to the east of the 
mouth of the Saginaw river in the night. I n the morning both 
armies started up the river, one on each side, so as to attack both 
villages at once. The army on the west side attacked the main 
village first by surprise, and massacred nearly all; the balance 
retreated across the river to another village, which stood near 
where the court-house now stands, near the ferry, in Portsmouth. 
At this time that part of the army that had landed on the east side 
of the river came up, and a desperate battle ensued in the vicinity 
of the residence of William R. McOormick, that being the highest 
land, and where they had attempted to fortify themselves; and at 
the present time, by digging in this hill, you will find it full of 
human bones which were killed in that battle. Here they were 
again defeated. They then crossed the river and retreated to 
Skull Island, which is the next island above what is now Stone's 
Island. Here they considered themselves safe, as their enemies 
had no canoes and they could not fortify themselves. But the next 
night after their retreat to the island the ice froze thick enough for 
the allies to cross, which they did, when another massacre ensued; 
here they were all exterminated with the exception of 12 females. 
Since that time this island has been known as "Skull Island," 
from the number of skulls found on it in after years. The allies 
then divided, some going up the Cass, some up the Flint, others 
up the Shiawassee, Tittabawassee, and so on, where there were 
different bands located. But the largest battles were fought on 
the Flint on the bluft. 

"Another Indian traditionist says another reinforcement met 
them here, coming through Detroit. Here there is a large number 
-of mounds filled with bones, which can be seen at the present 
day. They then came down the river and fought another battle 
on the bluff, about a mile from the present village of Flushing, on 
the farm formerly owned by a Mr. Bailey. Here there is also a 
large number of mounds yet to be seen; and, if you should dig 
them open as I have, you will find them filled with human bones. 

"The next battle was fought about 16 miles from Flushing, on 
the farm formerly occupied by the late James McCormick. There 
were sevei'al battles fought on the Cass, at what is now called the 
Bend, or Bridgeport Center, where there was a fortification of 
earthwork which was plainly to be seen 35 years ago. The next 
important battle was fought on the Tittabawassee just above the 
farm on which the late James Fraser first settled when he came to 
the Saginaw Valley. This differs from the rest, as the remains of 
the slain were all buried in one mound, and it is a very large one. 

' After the extermination of the whole nation, with the exception 
of the 12 females before spoken of, a council of the allies was then 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 11£ 

held, to know what should be done with them. Some were for 
torturing and killing, others for sparing their lives; finally it was 
agreed that they should be sent west of the Mississippi, and an 
arrangement was made with the Sioux that no tribe should molest 
them, and the Sioux should be responsible for their protection, 
which agreement was faithfully kept. The conquered country, of 
which the present Saginaw Valley is a part, was then divided 
among them all as a common hunting ground. But a great many 
who came here to hunt never returned, nor were ever heard of. 
It became the opinion of the Indians that the spirits of the dead 
Sauks still haunted their hunting grounds and were killing off 
their hunters, when in fact it was a few Sauks who had escaped 
the massacre and still lingered around their hunting grounds, 
watching for straggling hunters and killing them whenever an 
opportunity occurred. Ton-do-gong, an Indian chief who died in 
1S40, told me he killed a Sauk while hunting when a boy. This- 
must have been over 80 years ago, and up to a few years ago the 
Indians still believed there was a Sauk in the vicinity. They had 
seen the place where he had made his fires and slept. I have 
known them to get together and not hunt for several days, for the 
reason, they said, there was a Sauk in the woods; they had 
seen where he had slept. I used to laugh at them, but it was of 
no avail; you could not make them believe otherwise. 

k 'I3ut to go back to the Indian tradition. The country was con- 
sidered as haunted, and no more Indians came here to hunt, 
although game was abundant, Finally it was converted into what 
would be termed among civilized nations a penal colony. Every 
Indian who committed a crime would flee or be banished to the 
haunted hunting grounds (Saginaw Yalley) to escape punishment, 
for the Indian laws were more severe and strict then than now. 
This was long before we became degraded by coming in contact 
with the whites, said the Indian. 

"The Chippewas becoming the most numerous, finally their 
language predominated, and at the present time the Indians in the 
Saginaw Valley do not speak in all respects the same as the Chip- 
pewas on Lake Superior, from which they originally sprung, 
showing that the mixing of different nations in the Saginaw Valley 
has been the cause of the same. Put-ta-qua-sa-mine said his 
grandfather told it to him when he was a boy, which was 90 years 
before, and that it had been handed down to his grandfather from 
his ancestors, and was a custom with him to repeat it often to his 
people, so the tradition or history should not be lost; and a suc- 
cessor was always appointed in case the traditionist should die, 
that the history of the nation should not be lost, and be handed 
down from generation to generation. 

" I have talked with two other old Indians on the same subject, 
and their tradition is precisely the same, word for word, with one 
exception. They say the battles on the Flint were fought by the 
army coming from Detroit. I have no doubt that the above is a 



120 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

correct narrative, as much so as if it had been written at the time 
and handed down to us as a matter of history." 

LOCATION OF THE BATTLE-FIELD. 

About 12 miles below Saginaw City is " Skull Island," so named 
by the Indians in consideration that upon it exists an endless 
quantity of " dead heads," which were left here after a great tight, 
years long past, between the Chippewas and Sauks, their owners 
having no further use for them, especially after they had passed 
through the hands of a set of hair dressers who took oft' skin and 
hair together. These Indians were queer fellows in their day; 
and at this battle of Skull Island, which the Chippewas had trav- 
eled " many a weary mile to enjoy," they made a general Kilkenny 
cat fight of it, and as, like Maturin's tragedies, "all stabbed and 
everybody died," except about six on each side, each party of 
them retired and celebrated the victory, leaving the field in undis- 
turbed possession of the " skulls," which, having seen the folly of 
fighting, were willing to lie quiet, friend and foe, "cheek by jowl," 
and compose themselves for a few more years of hunting and 
fishing, by the glorious expectation of taking a squint at the "happy 
hunting grounds," and the proud consequence of having dedicated 
their respective knowledge-boxes to the christening of about two 
acres of Bad Island. 

Just below this locality of warlike memory lies Sag-e-nong, upon 
a high bank on the west side of the river. This is the Saginaw of 
the red man, and the only place known to him by that name. The 
meaning of the word is the "land of Sauks." The place known 
to white men as Saginaw lies 12 miles or more up the river, and is 
called Ka-pay-shaw-wink, which means the "camping ground." 
Here it was that the tribes living hereabout were wont to 
assemble, statedly to hold council together, often continuing some 
days. 

THE WINNEBAGO WAR. 

During the year 1827 a war party of the Winnebagos attacked a 
camp of the Chippewas, and succeeded in killing eight warriors. 
The Winnebagos engaged in this ruse de guerre were arrested 
under authority of the United States, and four of them given up to 
be tried by the court of warriors of the Chippewas. The Winne- 
bagos were of course found guilty and suffered capital punishment. 
Red Bird, a chief of the Winnebagos and a kinsman of the four 
braves who were executed, sought revenge, attacked the Chip- 
pewas, and, being defeated, turned his savage arms on unoffending 
white men, but he and six of his band were soon made to surren- 
der; three of them were hanged, and the chief with three others 
placed in prison, where they died. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 121 

THE LEGEND OF THE LONE TREE. 

The following legends and descriptions have been collected from 
many sources, and relate to history so far as they are character- 
istic of Indian life: 

No person who has ever traversed the valley of the Saginaw but 
remembers the "lone tree," which stood upon the east side of the 
river above Portsmouth, isolated upon the prairie, far from its 
fellows. It looked like some lone misanthrope, who, having 
become disgusted with the vanities and foibles of human nature, 
had taken up his abode in the desert, where, far from the busy 
haunts of his fellow man, he might pour out his heart's bitterness 
to the wild winds, and waste his spleen and discontent upon the 
"desert air." There it stood, majestic in its loneliness, like the 
last rose whose companions are gone. A spirit of romance cer- 
tainly seemed to linger about it; a whisper of the past gently 
breathed through its desolate branches, and the question naturally 
arose, Why is it that this tree thus stood alone ? A greater 
interest was imparted to it by the fact of its having been for years 
the abode of a white owl, whose dismal whoop fell mournfully 
upon the ear of night. The Indians had a great reverence for this 
tree, and also for its occupant, which they believed to be a spirit. 

There is a beautiful belief existing among the aborigines of our 
country in regard to a guardian spirit, which they say is often 
seen, and which appears in the form of a bird, sometimes the 
dove, sometimes the eagle, but more frequently assuming the form 
of a night bird, though the disposition of the deceased, while 
living, has much to do with the species. For instance, a great 
warrior dies whose disposition had been fearless, ambitious and 
untamed; his spirit-bird personifies an eagle; a blood-thirsty chief 
tain's spirit-bird is a hawk. A gentle maiden passes away to the 
spirit-land, and her friends know that she is hovering near them 
when they hear the mournful notes of the turtle dove at morn or 
eve. 

A legend, or tradition, concerning the "lone tree" exists among 
the Indians of the Saginaw Valley. Many, many long years 
before the white man's foot had left its impress upon this valley, 
Ke-wah-ke-won ruled his people with love and kindness. He was 
a patriarch among them, and beloved for the gentleness of his man- 
ners and the mildness of his government. He had been a great 
warrior in his day, but his youth had departed, and languid pulse 
and feeble footsteps told, alas! too plainly, that he would soon be 
treading the hunting grounds of the Great Spirit. The good old 
man felt that indeed he was passing away — dying — and he was 
desirous to see once more his tribes in council, and bestow upon 
them his last blessing, and impart to them his dying counsel and 
admonition. The old chief lay upon his death-bed, and around 
him were gathered, in mournful silence, his beloved people, eager 
to catch the first and last words that should drop from the lips of 
their dying chieftain. It was a mournful and melancholy picture, 



122 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

that death-bed scene in the wilderness. At length the chief spoke, 
while the fire of his youth seemed to kindle again in his dim eye, 
and his voice, though weak, was calm and clear: 

"My children," said he, "the Great Spirit has called to me, and 
I must obey the summons. Already is the hand raised to sever 
the last chord that binds me to my children; already my guide 
stands at the door to convey me to the hunting grounds of my 
fathers in the spirit-land. You weep, my children, but dry your 
tears, for though I leave you now, yet will my spirit-bird ever 
watch over you. I will whisper to you in the evening breeze, and 
when the morning comes you will know that I have been with you 
through the night. But the Good Spirit beckons for me, and I 
must hasten. Let my body be laid in a quiet spot in the prairie, 
with my tomahawk and pipe by ray side. You need not fear that 
the wolf will disturb my rest, for the Great Spirit, I feel, will place 
a watch* over me. Meet me in the spirit-land, my children. Fare- 
well.'' 1 And the old chief slept the sleep that knows no waking 
till the end of time. 

They buried him in a lone spot in the prairie, near the beautiful 
river, with his face toward the rising sun. His remains were 
never disturbed by bird or beast; for it would indeed seem that so 
the Great Spirit had ordered it. Time passed on, and a tree arose 
from his grave and spread its branches over it, as if to protect it, 
and a beautiful white owl took possession of it. The Indians tell 
us that the "lone tree" marked the last resting place of Ke-wah- 
ke-won, and that the white owl was the spirit-bird sent to watch 
over it. The "lone tree " is no longer seen by the boatman or the 
passer-by, for vandal hands have cut it down; yet the spot is often 
pointed out upon which it stood, and where sleeps Ke-wah-ke-won, 
the beloved of his tribe. 

INDIAN PAYMENT DAY IN OLD TIMES. 

There is a vast difference in the Indian payment day of the 
present and that of "olden time," lon^- before Saginaw had 
attained its present importance and standing. The writer of this 
had occasion to visit Saginaw City many years ago, at which time 
he had an opportunity of attending an Indian payment. About 
twelve hundred Indians, of "all sorts and sizes," from the toddling 
pappoose to the swarthy niche-nah-va, were assembled together in 
the morning, upon the beautiful lawn which gently sloped toward 
the river in front of the council house. It would be almost impos- 
sible to give the reader an idea of the hub-bub and confusion of 
tongues that prevailed upon the occasion. Aside from the 1,200 
Indians were a variety of other characters, including the chattering 
Frenchman, the blarneying Irishman, and the blubbering Dutch- 
man, all mingling their discordant jargon with that of the vocif- 
erous Yankee. Groups of Indian boys, some exercising with the 
bow and arrow, others jumping, running, wrestling, and making 
the welkin ring with their noisy merriment, were collected in the 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 123 

vicinity of their respective tents. The river, too, was" covered with 
canoes, and here the "dusky maid" in a more quiet and becoming 
manner was enjoying the occasion; and it was really surprising to 
see the dexterity and fearlessness with which she managed the 
"light canoe." A list of all the names of the heads of Indian 
families, chiefs, etc., was taken by the Indian superintendent, 
each Indian being entitled to a certain amount. The money to be 
paid was placed upon a table in the council room, in piles ot $10 
and $20 each, in American half-dollar pieces. Around the table 
sat the Indian superintendent, interpreter, clerks, etc. Com- 
mencing at the top of the list, a crier called off the names, the 
parties presented themselves, were paid off, and immediately made 
room for others. It was amusing to observe the great number of 
friends that would gather around the Indian after he received his 
money from the paymaster. Here a trader suddenly recollects 
some debt of long standing against Mr. Indian; there a seedy indi- 
vidual with sad eyes and nasal promontory coleur de pinque, most 
seductively offering him a drink of river water slightly tinctured 
with poor whisky, while one or two dear friends are advising him 
to look out for sharpers, at the same time intimating that the 
superintendent has been paying off in bogus coin. In the evening, 
while the drinking Indians were rioting and carousing in the town, 
the evangelized natives were encamped upon the opposite side of 
the river, and the surrounding forest fairly resounded with their 
loud singing, preaching and praying. Instrumental music, from 
the fiddle to the Indian tattoo, might also have been heard arising 
above the "horrid din." 

The scene that presents itself at the Indian payment now-a-days 
is altogether a different one, at least at Saginaw City. We are 
happy to see measures adopted to prevent the sale of intoxicating 
drinks to the poor Indian on such occasions. Would to God it 
might be prohibited upon all occasions. 

SENTENCE AND EXECUTION. 

The Chippewas and Ottawas inhabiting this section of Michigan 
were friendly to each other, and during the hunting seasons fre- 
quently encamped near each other. In the fall of 1853 a party of 
one tribe built their cabins on the banks of the river, and a 
party of the other tribe, about 80 in number, encamped close by. 
It is unnecessary to speak of their life in these camps; suffice it to 
say that the days were spent in hunting and the nights in drinking 
"fire water" and carousing. In one of the revels at the camp a 
Saginaw Indian, maddened by liquor, killed his squaw, and to 
conceal the deed threw her body upon the fire. 

Recovering from the stupor of the revel, he saw that the signs of 
his guilt were still before him, and fearing the wrath of his tribe, 
he fled toward the other encampment. 

His absence was noticed, the charred remains of the poor squaw 
were found, and the cry for blood was raised. The avengers were 



124 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

soon upon his track, and they pursued him to the encampment of 
their neighbors; he was found, apprehended, and in solemn coun- 
cil doomed to the death which in the stern old Indian code is 
reserved for those only who shed the blood of their kin. It was a 
slow, torturing, cruel death. A hatchet was put in the victim's 
hand, he was led to a large log that was hollow, and made to assist 
in fixing it for his coffin. This was done by cutting into it some 
distance on the top in two places about the length of a man apart, 
then slabbing off, and digging the hollow still larger so as to admit 
his body. This done, he was taken back and tied fast to a tree 
Then they smoked and drank of the "lire water," and when even- 
ing came they kindled large fires around him. And now com- 
menced the orgies; they drank to intoxication, they danced and 
sang in their wild Indian manner, chanting the dirge of the 
recreant brave. The arrow was titted to the ready bowstring, and 
ever and anon with its shrill twang it sent a missile into the quiv- 
ering flesh of the homicide, and to heighten his misery they cut 
off his ears and nose. 

Alternately drinking, dancing, beating their rude drums and 
shooting arrows into the victim, the night passed. 

The next day was spent in sleeping and eating, the victim mean- 
while still bound to the tree. What his reflections were we of 
course cannot tell, but he bore his punishment as a warrior should. 

When night closed around it brought his executioners to their 
work again. The scene of the first night was re-enacted, and so it 
was the next night, and the next and the next, and so on for a 
week. Seven long and weary days did he stand there, tortured 
with the most cruel torture, before his proud head dropped upon 
his breast, and his spirit left his clayey tenement for the hunting 
grounds of the Great Spirit. And when it did they took the body, 
wrapped it in a new clean blanket, and placed it in the log coffin 
he had helped to hollow. They put his hunting knife by his side 
that he might have something to defend himself on the way; his 
whisky bottle, that he might cheer his spirits with a draught now 
and then, and his tobacco pipe that he might smoke. Then they 
put on the cover, drove down stakes each side of the log, and filled 
up between them with logs and brush. The murdered squaw was 
avenged. The camp was broken up, and the old stillness and 
quiet once more reigned over the forest spot where was consum- 
mated this signal act of retributive justice. 

THE WHITE CAPTIVES. 

About the year 1820 David Henderson was sent by Gen. Cass 
into the valley to work for the Indians. Having been there a 
short time he left for Detroit on business, his family remaining at 
Saginaw until his return. During Henderson's absence Kish-kau-ko 
took his family captives and made known his intention to kill them. 
Jacob Smith, of Flint, hearing of the capture and threat, mounted his 
horse, and came with all possible speed to Saginaw. Hastening 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 125 

to the old chief, he demanded to know of him what were his de- 
signs regarding the wife and children of Henderson. "I am 
going to Kill them," answered the chief. "What!" said Smith, 
"will you kill those little children, who have never done you or 
any other one any harm?" nervously the chief replied, "Take 
them away quick." " But," said Smith, " it is of no use for me to 
take the woman and her children through the woods. I shall 
meet some other Indians, and they will take them away from me 
and kill them. You must give me some men to go with me to 
Detroit." The chief gave him six men who went through with 
the party to Detroit, where the Indians were taken prisoners and 
confined in the fort; but through the influence of Smith they were 
released, supplied bountifully with rations, and sent in charge of 
a file of men beyond the reach of danger from the white settlers 
near the fort, then greatly exasperated on account of recent Indian 
outrages. 

OK-E-MAW-KE-KE-TO AND THE FACTOR. 

Eleazer Jewett, while in charge of the Fur Company's post at 
the Forks, was threatened by the Indians with death if he would 
continue doing business at the post for the company. He treated 
the menace lightly, never dreaming that the chiefs and warriors of 
the tribe, against whom he never raised a hand would venture to 
carry out the threat. Their earnestness took practical shape, how- 
ever. One day the Factor saw about 120 Indians approaching the 
log house, marching in Indian file along the trail, which led thither, 
through the snow. The warriors were adorned in that peculiarly 
grotesque style that bespeaks war. The inhabitant of the post, 
undaunted, went to the door, offered presents of tobacco to the 
chief, which were spurned, and being well enough conversant with 
Indian custom to realize the danger of his position, he fell back for 
shelter, closed the door, bolted it, and flew to one of the embrasures 
to give battle. Here he was aided by a half-breed assistant, who 
had a number of rifles ready. Before he fired a shot 100 
tomahawks were buried in the door, which he had just closed 
against the invaders. Now the decisive moment arrived; he fired 
over the heads of the savages; again sent some buck-shot into the 
bodies of a few of them, and continued to proceed thus until the 
chief ordered his force to retire. This old warrior was named 
O-ke-maw-ke-ke-to. He was always known to esteem and applaud 
true bravery, and on this occasion he saw enough to convince him 
that the new master of the trading-post was no coward; that his 
consciousness of innocence was his greatest power, and relying 
upon his right to stay there, he was prepared to give battle to 
all comers. 

Next day O-ke-maw-ke-ke-to visited the post alone. Mr. Jewett 
gave him a dish of houilli, which was, evidently, much apprecia- 
ted. His visit was repeated, and a similar reception accorded to 
him. On the third day he came, took a dish of the favorite soup, 



126 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

and afterward addressed Mr. Jewett for the first time. " Friend," 
said he, " I did what was wrong in seeking your life, but now it 
is all over and you and I are friends forever." For long years 
after this event O-ke-maw-ke-ke-to made full amends for all the 
troubles he caused this early settler at the beginning of his career 
among the Indians. The Indian's friendship was so sincere that 
he transacted all the business for the trader among his band more 
economically, perhaps, than himself could do it. After his return 
from Washington in 1837, the old chief whiled away days in Mr. 
Jewett's society, telling him of all he had seen, and the great 
fathers he had met. 

WAH-BE-MAN-I-TO. 

The Williams family arrived at Saginaw in 1828. Reaume was 
agent for the American Fur Company at that point. He and 
Messrs. Campau had personal difficulties of long standing, which 
had become an inveterate feud, creating unprofitable divisions 
with the Indians, amounting with them to fierce partisan hatred. 
The current was turned against Reaume, and his personal safety 
becoming endangered, his store was kept closed too much of the 
time for him to continue a profitable agent for the company at 
that post. Judge Abbott, the company's superintendent at Detroit, 
selected Messrs. Willliams as the successors of Reaume, who came 
on as before detailed, and became the owners of his interests at 
Saginaw City, and also the Little Fork of the Tittabawassee (Mid- 
land City), where he had another post. Dequindre, an active 
young Frenchman, had been his sub-agent, until a vicious Indian 
named Wah-be-man-i-to, or White Devil, forcibly took possession 
of the post, driving out the sub-agent, who fled for his life, for 
several days roaming about, lost in the woods, and untimately 
coming into Saginaw City with his feet frozen. TheCampaus had 
a rival post at the same place, and by the abandonment of the 
other the valuable trade of the Tittabawassee was left wholly in 
their hands. The winter after Mr. E. S. Williams had established 
himself at Saginaw City, he was deputed to take stores to that 
point and re-open the trading-house. He chose for his assistants 
Jacob Graveradt and the two younger Roys. Prudent friends 
endeavored to persuade him not to embark in an enterprise so 
evidently fraught with danger, but the company's interests required 
the venture, and he soon with his assistants presented himself at. 
the post. A short time only elapsed before Wah-be-man-i-to 
resumed his attitude of hostility. He was on his way with his outfit to 
the trapping ground, somewhat in liquor. He stopped at the door 
of the trading post, and with an insolent and defiant bearing, which 
a half-drunken Indian only can assume, demanded liquor. "Mish- 
sha-way " (Mr. Williams' name, meaning Big Elk), u give me 
whisky." It was refused. He placed his hand upon the handle 
of his tomahawk, and repeated the demand more fiercely than at 
first, and was met by another refusal as defiant as the last demand. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 127 

Ho sprang for Mr. Williams with his tomahawk upraised and 
aimed a blow at him which, if it had not been dexteriously avoided 
would doubtless have proved fatal. With a well seasoned hickory 
club Mr. Williams defended himself, knocking his assailant down 
and being about to repeat the blow, the discomfited hero begged 
for mercy. After getting upon his feet and recovering from the 
stunning effects of the blow, he walked out of thet rading-house and 
sat down in front of it, in apparently deep thought. He soon after 
called to Mr. Williams and expressed great mortification at the out- 
rage he had attempted; and to confirm his sincerity, promised that his 
next furs he would bring to his new "friend " Williams. He kept 
his promise faithfully, and became the fast friend of the man at 
whom only an hour previously he had aimed a deadly blow. 

The Messrs. Williams soon after bought out the trading post of 
Antoine Campau, who had, . as before stated succeeded to his 
brother Louis, which quieted the dangerous spirit of rivalry that 
had already culminated in some serious affrays between the Indians 
and others who had become parties to the feud. 

Among- other agents who had residences, at different times, at 
Saginaw, were Sherman Stevens, the father of the distinguished 
actress. Miss Sara Stevens, who has achieved in the drama no 
ordinary position. To considerable solid acquirement he united 
a view of romance and sentiment which made him at that time a 
genial companion and a rare social acquisition to the limited 
society of Saginaw. He was master of the Chippewa dialect and 
spoke the language fluently. 

Archie Lyons was another trustworthy agent of Messrs. Will- 
iams, whose history is identified with the Saginaw Valley prior 
to the treaty. He was a fine penman, well educated and a musi- 
cian of no little skill. He was located at the Little Forks of the 
Tittabawassee (Midland City), and in coming down from that point, 
on the ice, upon skates, for the purpose of playing the violin for a 
dancing party at Saginaw City, he was drowned. 

The Messrs. Williams had another agent, Mejeau, an Indian of 
quarter blood, an accurate clerk, although he could neither read 
nor write. Thousands of dollars passed through his hands yearly. 
His mode of keeping accounts was the same as that usually 
adopted among the agents. A straight mark symbolized one 
dollar; one a muskrat or a quarter of a dollar; two O's a half 
dollar. Instead of the name of the Indian his totem was drawn 
upon the book and prefixed to his accounts. ()-ge-maw-ke-ke-to's 
totem was a long fish, a spotted pickerel, which he made with 
some skill; another's was a beaver, another's a bear, etc. 

Judge G. D. Williams died at his homestead at Saginaw City, 
on the 11th day of December A. D. 1858, beloved and mourned. 
His brother, Mr. E. S. Williams, is still living, at Windsor, 
opposite Detroit, with his constitution unimpaired by his early 
border life, and a strength of muscle still intact, that would make 
any Wah-be-man-i-to tremble in an encounter. 



128 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

KISH-KAW-KO AND THE SOLDIERS. 

The troops while stationed at Saginaw City, or where it now 
stands, suffered many privations and inconveniences, besides the 
petty annoyances and insults to which they were continually 
subjected by the Indians, who looked upon them as trespassers, 
not daring, however, to make any advances toward hostility; for 
they knew full well that the troops were prepared to meet anything 
of that nature with "promptness and dispatch." Still, the "red- 
skins" lost no opportunity in reminding them that they (the troops) 
were not at home, but upon grounds claimed by others than them- 
selves. There was one chief in particular, whose wigwam was 
nearly under cover of the fort, who was exceedingly annoying at 
least to the soldiers, but more particularly to the sentry; for every 
night, as he, on his accustomed round, would give the hour with 
the usual " all's well," this rascally chief would mockingly reiter- 
ate the watchword together with a taunting shout and whoop, mak- 
ing the very welkin ring and startling the inmates of the fort, who 
not infrequently imagined, upon being so unceremoniously awak- 
ened, that an attack was at hand. The scamp had repeated this 
a number of times, and our men determined to punish him a little, 
and at the same time enjoy some sport at his expense. Accord- 
ingly, they loaded an old swivel to the muzzle, with grape and can- 
ister, and mounted it upon the pickets, pointing it in the direction 
of the old copper-colored gentleman's wigwam, — in such a position, 
however, that the shot would merely rattle over his head, with no 
other effect than that of frightening him into silence, if nothing 
else. Night came at last and "all around was still; not even a 
leaf stirred," and the heavy tramp of the sentinel as he paced with 
measured tread his accustomed round, and the distant howl of the 
hungry wolf alone were heard. The men were lying quietly be- 
hind the gun, though by no means asleep, while a match was ready 
to apply at the signal, which, by the way, the old chief himself 
was unwittingly to give. Hour after hour glided silently by, and 
12 o'clock came, the hour usually selected by Copper Face for his 
echo. "Twelve o'clock, all 's well," sang out the sentry. "All 
well," echoed the Indian, " Ke-whoop-ke-kee-who-whoop, "" making 
the same time a grand nourish after the war style of his fore- 
fathers — "} T e-ye-ye-yeep-ke-who ." At this instant a bright 

gleam of fire shot from the walls of the fort, accompanied by a re- 
port so loud, so deafening, that the very stars shut their eyes, the 
moon hid behind a cloud, and the ground and buildings shook 
with the concussion, while the grape and canister rattled fearfully 
over the wigwam and helter-skelter through the branches of 
the trees overhanging it. The old chief thought his time had in- 
* deed come, and called lustily for all the gods in his unlettered vo- 

cabulary and medicine men of the nation to save him. After this 
salutary rebuke, no niche in the tribe was more courteous or defer- 
ential to the troops than this same Indian. Perhaps he thought it 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 129 

advisable to keep on good terms with beings who repaid insult 
with thunder, lightning and iron hail. 

THE INDIAN MURDERER. 

In April, 1825, Kish-kaw-ko killed an Indian in Detroit, in the 
presence of Uncle Harvey Williams, on Water street near the cen- 
ter of the present depot of the D. & M. R. R. The dead Indian 
was taken to Harvey Williams' blacksmith shop, an inquest was 
held by Coronor Benjamin Woodworth, while Kish-kaw-ko and 
his son were conveyed to the fort. The jury found the Indian 
guilty; but the criminal drank the hemlock in his prison and died 
before a trial could be had. His son, who was no party to the 
deed, escaped. 

OKEMOS, OR OKIMA. 

For an account of this celebrated Indian see page 56. Durino- 
the treaty negotiation at Saginaw he was one of the most pro- 
nounced supporters of the motion to accept it. 

NEH-WAY-GO. 

In the history of the Chippewa Indians there cannot, perhaps, be 
found a character so magnificently stoic, or so rashly courageous 
as he whose name heads this notice. He was as gentle as a lamb 
when stroked, but the moment he encountered opposition, he be- 
came at once a fierce savage and remained one until those who op- 
posed his speech or interests fell. W. R. McCormick, in referring 
to this Indian warrior, says: 

"For the particulars of the following tragic story I am indebted 
to Hon. E. S. Williams. It occurred while he was trading with 
the Indians at Saginaw, some time before De Tocqueville's visit 
and about two years before I came to the Saginaw Valley. The 
event was witnessed by Messrs. Williams, Judge Jewett, Col. 
Stanard and others, and strangely illustrates the peculiarities of 
frontier life and of the Indian character. 

' ' Neh- way-go was a young Saginaw brave, living, in his earlier 
life, at Green Point, which is at the mouth of the Tittabawassee 
river, and in his later years upon the shores of the Saginaw Bay. 
He is described as a model of native strength and grace. While 
living at the former place he killed a son of Red Bird who lived 
on the Tittabawassee river. The relatives demanded satisfaction, 
and by Indian laws his life was the forfeit. He presented himself 
at the chief mourner's wigwam, where the warriors of the family 
of the deceased had assembled, and informed them that he had 
come for them to strike at his heart. He bared his bosom and 
took his position for the selected number to pass by him and in- 
flict the knife wound. They passed and inflicted, as they hoped, 
the mortal thrusts. That done, and Indian usage being satisfied, 



130 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

lie was making the best speed he could with his streaming wounds 
to his own wigwam, when he was struck in the back by a cowardly In- 
dian, inflicting a severe stab, but, as it is appears, like the other 
blows, not fatal. He was yet enabled to reach his own wigwam, 
some distance oft, where his young wife was waiting, not expect- 
ing ever to see him alive again. She received him and bound up 
his wounds. He was restored after fearful suffering. 

"After this event he removed to Kawkawlin, where he remained 
until his wounds were nearly healed. When he came up to*3agi- 
naw in a canoe with his wife, to do some trading at the Indian trad- 
ing post of the American Fur Company, which was then operated 
by G. D. and E. S. Williams, he was not yet able to get out of his 
canoe and go to the trading post, which was but a few rods from the 
river, without the aid of his paddle to lean upon. B. O. Williams, 
who was there at the time, describes him as a walking skeleton. 

" Some Indians were there at the time. They sent word to 
O-sow-wah-bon's band at Green Point, some two miles distant, that 
Neli-way-go had arrived at the American Fur Company's trading 
post. The Messrs. Williams were well aware that if they met 
there would be a dreadful tragedy. They therefore placed per- 
sons to watch whether any Indians came from that direction. It 
was not long before O-sow-wah-bon and two Indians were seen ap- 
proaching, while Neh-way -go was still by his canoe, standing 
on the bank of the river leaning on his paddle. He was told by 
the Messrs. Williams to get into the canoe with his family and go 
down the river. This he refused to do, saying he was no coward, 
but like a brave man patiently awaited the attack. E. S. Williams 
went and met O-sow-wah-bon and told him he must go into the 
store, as he wanted to see him. After he was inside, the door was 
closed and he was told that they knew his business, and that he 
must now give up his knives. He reluctantly drew his knife from 
his sheath and handed it to B. O. Williams. They asked him if 
he had any more, and if so, to give them up or they would search 
him. He finally pulled out another which he had concealed down 
his back. They then asked him if he had any more; he said "No," 
when E. S. Williams said he would have to search him, which he 
refused to submit to. Mr. Williams clinched him, and with the 
assistance ofB. O. Williams, now of Owosso, and some others, 
after a severe struggle, as O-sow-wah-bon was a very powerful man, 
they threw him on the floor. While B. O. Williams and some 
others were holding him, E. S. Williams commenced the search, 
and inside the legging they found a large knife, a very formidable 
weapon and as sharp as a razor. When Mr. Williams drew it 
from his legging he caught it by the blade and refused to give it up; 
the result was, before they could wrench it from his grasp, it had 
nearly severed his hand in two. They then lethimup and dressed 
his wound. While this proceeding was going on, B. O. Williams 
and another person slipped out of the back door and found Neh- 
way-go still standing on the shore leaning on his paddle, awaiting 
the attack, while his wife was sitting in the canoe crying. • They 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 133 

told him to get into his canoe and be oft", which he refused to do, 
repeating he was no coward. They then took him by main force, 
put him into the canoe with his wife and shoved it from the shore, 
and ordered his wife to paddle him home and not to come back 
again. He returned to his home on the Kawkawlin, where he 
soon after fully recovered from his wounds. 

' ' Finding the coward afterward upon his hunting ground, who 
had inflicted upon him the wound in the back, he visited him 
summarily with Indian vengeance — death. Soon afterward the 
Indians were assembled in large numbers at Saginaw at an 
Indian payment, when an altercation ensued between Black 
Beaver, an Indian of considerable note, and the brave ISTeh-way-go. 
The former reproached him with the outrage he had committed 
upon the Indian who had struck him in the back. Neh-way-go 
defended the act as just and brave; the reproof was repeated, and 
upon the instant he slew Black Beaver. This was at the upper 
end, where the city of East Saginaw stands, near where the upper 
bridge crosses the river in the vicinity of the old Curtis-Emerson 
mill. Black Beaver and his band were here encamped. On the 
west side of the river, on the open plain near where the residence 
of E. J. Ring now stands, Neh-way-go and his band were 
encamped. 

"After the bloody deed Neli-way-go crossed over to the west 
side of the river amongst his own people. A warrant was at once 
issued by Colonel Stanard for his arrest, acting as Justice. Neh- 
way-go fled back to the east side of the river, and accompanied by 
a friend, secreted himself in the woods upon what is now the site 
of the city of East Saginaw. He preferred to trust himself on the 
same side of the river with the tribe whose leading warrior he had 
stricken down than to endure the mortification of arrest and pun- 
ishment of the white man's laws. He sent word to two of his 
white friends, Antoine Campau and Ephraim S. Williams, desiring 
them to cross the river and come to the woods in which he was 
secreted, when by giving a signal he would come to them. They 
did so and he soon made his appearance. He informed them that 
he had sent for them for advice; that the white man's punishment 
(imprisonment) was only fit for cowards; death by the hands of 
his own race was glorious in comparison, if any relative of Black 
Beaver should choose to make it a cause for vengeance. They 
advised him to cross back to his own camp, present himself to his 
people, and let the affair take the course warranted by Indian 
usage. The arrest by the officer was waived and he presented 
himself at his own camp openly. 

"The hour for the burial of Black Beaver arrived. An 
immense number of Indians, from two to three thousand, were 
present, as it was Indian payment at Saginaw at the time, as 
mourners and spectators. The place of burial was just below the 
old Campau house on the brow of the hill, west of where A. W. 
Wright's planing mill now stands and near where Neh-way-go and 
his band were encamped. The body had been placed in the coffin. 

9 



134 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The relatives with their faces streaked with black had gathered 
about it. The few white settlers then in the valley were all there 
as spectators. The fearful outrage so near their own doors had 
absorbed and engrossed the attention of all. 

"While the solemn Indian rite was in progress over the 
remains of their favorite warrior, Neh-way-go was seen approach- 
ing from his camping ground. He was dressed in full and carefi.l 
costume, tomahawk and knife in his girdle and a small canteen of 
whisky at his side, his whole appearance imposing and gallant. 
He made his way with a lofty and majestic step to the center of the 
mourning group. "Walking with measured step to the side of the 
coffin, he placed upon it his tomahawk and knife. He filled his 
calumet with kinakanick, composedly and with dignity. After 
smoking from it himself first, he passed it to the chief mourner, 
who declined it. He passed it to the next, and the next, with the 
same result. He passed his canteen of whisky with the same 
formality, and with the same result. They declined to partake. 

"He then undid the collar of his hunting shirt, and bared his 
bosom, seating himself with calm dignity upon the foot of the 
coffin. He turned his face full upon the chief mourners, and 
thus addressed them: 'You refuse my pipe of peace. You refuse 
to drink with me. Strike not in the back. Strike not and miss. 
The man that does dies when I meet him on our hunting ground.' 
Not a hand was raised. Upon the dark and stoical faces of that 
cloud of enemies by whom he was surrounded, no feeling found 
expression except that of awe; no muscle moved. He arose from 
his seat on the foot of the coffin, and towering to his full, fine 
height, exclaimed: 'Cowards! Cowards! Cowards!' As com- 
posedly as he had taken them out, he restored, unmolested, the 
tomahawk and knife to his girdle, and with his canteen at his side, 
walked away from the strange scene as lordly as he came. He 
had awed his enemies, and was evidently master of the situation. 
Removing soon after to the bay shore away from the scene of his 
early feuds and fearful exploits, he fell ultimately upon the hunt- 
ing ground in a personal encounter with a relative of one of his 
victims." 

o-saw-wah-pon. 

This chief of the Saginaws was born in the Indian camp which 
once occupied the site of Saginaw City. His birth took place in 
1798. It is said that his mother's name was the almost unpro- 
nounceable Ke-ne-wah-nah-ah-no-quay, and that the name which 
she bestowed upon the infant savage, was Kay-pay-yon-quod. 
While bearing this extraordinary title he was generally ill, and, 
believing that its change would lead to good results, he cast it 
aside in regular Indian form and adopted that of his father, O-saw- 
wah-pon. He was very much attached to General Cass, and, on 
his ' account, principally, used his great oratorical powers in 
defense of the American. It is even said that he urged Tecumseh 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 135 

to desist from his purpose of opposing the Government. He died 
in Isabella county early in 1859, and was buried with all the cere- 
mony attendant on the Indian funeral. 

MACOSE. 

Macose was an English half-breed. Notwithstanding his savage 
associations, he retained that habit, peculiar to his parent on the 
one side, of sounding the II where it should not be heard, and 
of dropping it where it should be heard. On this account his lan- 
guage was amusing to the American pioneers, even as it resulted 
unprofitably to himself. The people whom he met told him he 
was an Englishman; he became convinced of the fact, and as soon 
as he did, he determined to take unto himself the dusky Indian 
girl, the daughter of the great chief Oge mawkeketo. The half- 
breed and his full-blood better half proceeded to England, where 
the poor girl died after the fashion of the sympathetic Pocahontas. 
What the end of the great Macose was is uncertain. If it were 
no better than his life among the wilderness of the Peninsula, it 
must be poor indeed. 



MIZ-CO-BE-NA-SA 



or Red Bird, was the hereditary chief of the Indians of the Chip- 
pewas. Owing to his quiet disposition and his age, he permitted 
the duties of his position to devolve on Okemawkeketo, even as 
the latter invested the grotesque Tonadogamaw with similar 
powers subsequently. Old Miz-co was a lazy Indian for many 
years previous to his death, the heroic achievements of his earlier 
years were forgotten, and he sank to a most degraded position 
among the people who once called him "chief." 



SINNENCE, THE WAR CHIEF. 

This warrior lived at the Indian Mills on the Chippewa river in 
Isabella county. He was very popular among the Chippewas, and 
was always received with honors by the Indians of the Ottawa and 
Pottawatomie tribes. The village now known as Sinnence was 
named after him. 

TO-NA-DOG-A-NAW 

was the head chief of the Chippewa nation. This honor belonged 
to him on account of his great powers of debate, acute understand- 
ing and great prowess in the hunt. He was ugly in every sense. 
He wore only a hunting shirt from April to September, and this 
hung looselv from a hunch-back, which won for him the name 
"Richard III." 

O KE-MAW-KE-KE-TO. 

Oke-maw-ke-ke-to was not chief by hereditary title; but aware of 
the high order of his accomplishments, his brother Indians con- 



136 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

ferred on him the title and privileges which belonged to Miz-co-be- 
na-sa, who was content to lead as chieftain of a band. It is said 
that both the hereditary and de-facto rulers were savages of most 
noble parts, requiting justice with a lasting friendship for its dis- 
penser, and punishing treachery with instant death. 

MA-SAY-NOS, 

the hermit Indian, was another of the strange beings inhabiting 
the country in pioneer times. Like the hart-broken gentleman 
referred to in the marriage record, his girl "went back on him," 
and he ever afterward led a life of retirement, seldom speaking 
to the Indians or the traders. There are very few Indians of that 
class now-a-days. 

NAW-QWA-CHIC-A-MING. 

Naw-qwa-chic-a-ming was made one of the chiefs of his tribe on 
the death of his father, since which time he was constituted head 
chief of the Chippewas. He was well and favorably known to all 
the early white settlers in the Saginaw Yalley. His honesty and 
friendship have been proven in numberless instances. Naw-qwa- 
chic-a-ming, Okemaw-ke-ke-to, Shaw-e-be-no-se, Wosso, To-na-dog- 
a-naw and Mozhe-ga-shing, with Henry Connor, Gardner D. 
Williams, Capt. J. F. Marsac, Charles H. Rodd and Benj. O. 
Williams visited Washington in 1830 for the purpose of carrying 
out the sale referred to in the treaty of that year. The subject of 
this sketch departed this life for the "happy hunting grounds" 
Oct. 26, 1871, at a remarkably advanced age. 

SHAW-WE-NOS-SE-GA. 

This Indian was known to the white settlers from his boyhood. 
At a very early age he took a place among the warriors of his 
tribe as a great hunter, and in after years, when the new settlers 
offered a bounty for wolf scalps, Shaw-we-nos-se-ga was among the 
principal holders of bounty certificates. As late as 1857 he pro- 
duced 12 wolf certificates before the supervisors' board, when one 
of the local law-makers wrote the following poetical tribute: 

Shaw-we-nos-se-ga! is not thy name 
Feared by the beasts that scour the plains? 
Is not their fearful howling mute 
When on the fleet, wild deer's pursuit? 
Shaw-we-nos-se-ga, hath not thy care 
Searched out the depth of the wild-woods lair, 
And in the deep and wild recess 
Dealt out the fearful blow of death ? 
Shaw-we-nos-se-ga, hath not thy hand 
Laid low full twelve of the fearful clan 
And scatt red wide the wild woods through, 
The remnant of the fearful crew? 
Shaw-we-nos-se-ga has reverence past 



HISTORY OF 8AGINAW COUNTY. 13T 

From the fearful howl on the forest blast ! 
Canst thou no longer in friendship roam 
With the howling wolf around thy home? 
Sliaw wenos-se-ga, in reverence wide, 
Thy father oft the wolf espied. 
But thou hast thrown the veil aside 
That long was reverenced by thy tribe ! 
Shaw-we-nos-s --ga, dost thou not fear 
The spirit- of thy fathers near? 
Do they not whisper to thy soul 
To stay thy hand from death's control? 
Shaw-we-nos-se-ga, the wild wolf dread 
Where to the wild woods haunts hath fled, 
The white man wish you pleasure there, 
Within a clime serenely fair; 
Where soft winds murmur in sweet repose, 
Like twilight hour at evening's close; 
When springtime's warm and genial breath 
Over the southern landscape rests. 



BRIEFER MENTION. 

i 

Muck-a-ko-kooh, a hunchback, known to the early settlers as 
Richard III, tailed to kill his father. He was one of the most 
savage of his race, yet at times so peaceable that he would actu- 
ally follow agricultural pursuits. He died in 1869. 

Sog-e-che-way-o-sway, of Pe-waw-ne-go-ing (now the township of 
Tayriiouth), the predecessor of Elijah H. Pitcher, died in 1865. 
He was present at the ratification of a treaty in 1864, within the 
store of P. C. Andre. 

Otawas, chief of the Tawas band, had two sons, one of whom 
married a lady who, afterward became school-teacher. 

M uck-u-ta-me-shay-way, or Black Elk, was said to have been the 
finest Indian of the tribe, though Beau Temps, a Cass river 
Indian, is said to have been the truest specimen of Indian man- 
hood. 

Notawa was one of the oldest chiefs of Cass river. He died 
about 1850. 

Ken-e-wap, one of the greatest elk hunters on the Cass, died 
23 years ago. 

Club-auk lived on the Crow Reserve, five miles below Saginaw 
City, on the east side of the river, for whom a reservation of 640 
acres, including a small island in the river, was made in 1832, 
under article of treaty. He sold to G. D. ■■ & E. S. Williams, 
and removed to Canada, where he died. 

Pay-mah-se-gey, chief of the Pine river band, died in 1856. He 
was considered a good man. 

Saw-waw-mic was a celebrated hunter of the Chippewas, for- 
merly from Sibi-way-ink; lived six miles east of East Saginaw. He 
was known to run down a bear or deer and fight to the death. 
When he was to draw his annuity he would look at the money 
scornfully and fling it in the river. 



138 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

A SUMMER VISIT TO THE INDIAN CAMP. 

A visitor to the Indian camp at Green Point gave the following 
description of his journey thither, as well as of what he saw there : 
" During the sojourn of the Indians ar, Green Point it was cer- 
tainly worth one's while to pay them a visit. I remember one fine 
afternoon, some ten years since, of accompanying an old Indian 
trader there, while it was in full possession of the Indians (1847). 
Seated in a light canoe and each armed with a paddle, we started 
from Saginaw City for the ostensible purpose of bartering with the 
Indians for furs, etc. For my part I was perfectly delighted with 
the idea, as I never had an opportunity before of seeing the In- 
dians 'at home,' at least during the summer season, and was also 
glad to exchange the monotony of a clerk's life for a paddle o'er 
the bright waters of the beautiful Saginaw. The river was sufficiently 
agitated to cause our tiny boat to rock dreamily, and as we sped 
from the shore the rich waves leaped and sported against our 
canoe's prow and sides, like sportive kittens, ever and anon greet- 
ing our faces with a ' damp paw,' that was by no means unpleasant. 
On, on we sped, now under the shadow of the green woods, now 
by the fringed, rich border of the prairie. We could readily dis- 
cern in the distance the white tents of the Indians fluttering in the 
wind, and hear the wild, joyous shouts of the dusky juveniles as 
they pursued their uncouth sports and games. As we approached 
their camp what a busy and exhilarating scene presented itself to 
our view! I clapped my hands in the exuberance of my spirits, 
for never before had I witnessed a scene so full of real, unaffected 
natural happiness as there greeted my senses. My companion did 
not seem to partake of my enthusiasm, for he had often witnessed 
similar scenes. Little Indian boys and girls, resembling so many 
Cupids (in one sense) could be seen; some wrestling, some shoot- 
ing with tiny bows and arrows, some paddling their tiny canoes, 
while others were bathing and splashing in the river, like so many 
amphibia, each striving to excel the others in the manner and 
demonstration of its enjoyment. Superannuated Indians and 
squaws sat by the tent doors, looking on with a quiet, demure 
pleasure, or arranging some toy or trinket for some little toddler, 
while the more efficient were engaged in various occupations or no 
occupation at all. Oh, how I longed for an artist's skill, that I 
might sketch the wild and picturesque scene! Here, thought I, is 
human nature in its free, untrammeled state. Care, to these chil- 
dren of nature, seems to be a stranger; no thought of the morrow 
engrosses their minds, but the world with vicissitudes and vexa- 
tions, passes along apparently unnoticed by them. Buoyancy of 
spirit is a striking feature in the Indian character. 

' 'As we drew our canoe out upon the beach, the Indians came out to 
meet us, with a hearty shake of the hand, and a cordial bon jour. The 
shady urchins for a while suspended their games and stood with gap- 
ing mouths and suspicious looks, gazing at the Keche-mo-ko-mon, then 
with a yelp and a bound returned to their sports, more vociferously 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 139 

than ever, their wild cries and shouts merrily ringing over the 
prairie, and echoing in the green wood beyond. Situated upon the 
greenest and most beautiful portion of the camp ground, were a 
number of very white and neat looking tents, which I observed 
were closed and entirely isolated from the dingy, smoky tents of 
the encampment. My companion, who seemed a sort of privileged 
character, appeared perfectly at home, while I, considering myself 
among strangers, clung to him, and followed him wherever he 
went, not venturing to ' throw myself upon my own responsibility.' 
I was therefore pleased when I saw him start toward the white 
tents, for I was curious to know what they contained. Drawing 
aside the canvas, he entered without ceremony, I of course, follow- 
ing after. Seated upon beautiful mats of colored rushes which 
served as carpets and divans, were some three or four good-looking 
squaws, very neatly and even richly attired in the fanciful style of 
the native, busily engaged in embroidering and ornamenting moc- 
casins, broad-cloth leggings and blankets with variegated beads and 
porcupine quills. Everything around evinced the utmost order, 
neatness and taste. No bustling nicJiee or dirty urchin was allowed 
the freedom of these apparently consecrated tents, but all was quiet 
and calm within, or if any conversation was carried on, it was in 
that soft, musical tone so peculiar to them. So, so, thought I, here 
we have a sort of aristocracy, a set of 'exclusives,' and a speci- 
men of high life among the natives; yet it was just that kind of 
'high life s in many respects, after which their white sisters might 
take pattern. No idle gossiping or scandal was indulged in; they 

?uietlv plied their needles and kept their counsels to themselves, 
f they had occasion to visit their neighbor's tent it was done 
quietly and pleasantly, after which business was resumed." 

This description is based upon fact. Though the camping ground 
is now far away from the Saginaw, the Chippewa women of the 
Churchill river region observe the same custom to-day. 

THE EMIGRANTS. 

The days having arrived when the aborigines had to leave the 
shores of the Saginaw, in accordance with the terms of the treaty 
which they accepted, both men and women were overcome with 
sorrow, and having picked up the varied treasures, seemed to wish 
that they could carry with them the very earth upon which they 
trod. It was a sad and mournful spectacle to witness those children 
of the forest slowly retiring from the home of their childhood, that 
contained not only their ancestors 1 graves, but also many endear- 
ing scenes, to which their memory would ever recur as sunny spots 
along their pathway through the wilderness. They felt they 
were bidding farewell to the land of their infancy; to the hunting 
grounds of their youth, as well as the stern and bloody fields of 
their riper manhood, where they had contended, on which they 
had received wounds, and where many of their friends and relatives 
had fallen covered with gore and glory. All these were to be 



140 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

left behind to be torn by the plowshare of the white settler. As 
they cast mournful glances back toward these loved scenes, that 
were rapidly fading in the distance, tears fell from the cheek of the 
downcast warrior, old men trembled, matrons wept, the swarthy 
maiden's cheek turned pale, and sighs and half suppressed sobs es- 
caped from the motley groups as they passed along, some on foot, 
some on horseback, some in wagons, sad as a funeral procession. 
Several of the aged warriors were seen to cast glances toward the 
sky, as if they were imploring aid from the spirits of their departed 
heroes, who were looking down upon them from the clouds, or 
from the Great Spirit, who would ultimately redress the wrongs of 
the red man, whose broken bow had fallen from his hand, and whose 
sad heart was bleeding within him. Ever and anon one of the 
party would start into the brush and break back to the old encamp- 
ment, declaring he would die rather than be banished from his 
country. Thus hundreds returned to the villages of their youth, 
and years elapsed before many of them could be induced to join 
their tribe in Isabella. Only in 1866 the Indian village and mis- 
sion, two miles above the mouth of the Kaw-kaw-lin, was vacated, 
and the Indians and missionaries, acting on the old advice of 
Horace Greeley, went West, to possess themselves of the new fields 
granted them by their white Father at Washington. In 1868 a 
Chippewa village, containing 15 lodges, existed on the banks of 
Cheboygan creek. To-day there are many dwellings in the county, 
and even those who left long years ago, now would come back in 
silence to speak to the survivors of the Kichokowans they first saw 
in the valley, and take a look at all the wonderful changes that are 
being inaugurated where once stood their simple wigwams. 




CHAPTER II. 
THE TREATIES WITH THE SAGINAWS. 

THE TREATY OF DETROIT. 

The only treaty negotiated in the Territory of Michigan prior to 
1819 was that of Detroit in 1807, which gave the United States a 
possessory title to the southeastern portion of the State of Michi- 
gan as at present constituted. Detroit and the territory adjacent 
to it became the property of the general Government by right of 
conquest, strengthened by an article of the treaty of Greenville, 
made in 1795. The treaty of 1807 merely bound the aborigines 
to surrender their hunting grounds south of lattitude 43° 10' 
North, and therefore did not comprise the northeastern river re- 
gion, or deal with that section of the Indian people known as the 
Saginaws. To this point the attention of the United States Gov- 
ernment was drawn in 1818, and a year later Gov. Lewis Cass was 
commissioned to enter the council of that section of the Indian in- 
habitants and present the articles of treaty for their acceptance, 
ceding to the United States all the land north of a line drawn 
through the second tier of the northern townships of Oakland, 
through the northern tier of the townships of Livingstone, thence 
north to the head of Thunder Bay river, and northeast to Lake 
Huron, leaving the six-mile tract along the rivers Detroit and St. 
Clair unnamed. 

THE THIRST DANCE BEFORE THE TREATY. 

A few days before the arrival of Gen. Cass on the great camp- 
ing ground of the tribe, the Indians of the Chippewa nation re- 
solved upon performing the ceremonies peculiar to their great 
feasts. The chief proclaimed a day for holding the white-dog 
feast, fixing the commencement of the exercises for Sept. 3, 1819. 
Bands of Indians had encamped there for several weeks preparing 
for tire ■festival, which was of a propitiatory as well as penetential 
character, the peculiarity of the ceremonial being that the dancers 
should not eat, drink, or sleep until the proceedings were con- 
cluded, — a period ranging from two to four days. 

In order to fully carry out the program, it was necessary to 
erect a temple. For this purpose 40 or 50 warriors with their 
squaws set out on horseback in search of a center pole. This cav- 
alcade was preceded by the medicine man dressed in an old Brit- 
ish uniform, surmounted with a gaudy head-dress. He carried the 
" tum-tum," a tin pan and a small cane. The former he beat with 

(141) 



142 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

the latter, while the chief who traveled close behind him, uttered 
wild words of incantation and threats, so that the evil spirit would 
not enter on their pathway. A tree suitable to the purpose was 
soon found and was approached with whoops, yells, cries of joy 
and tiring of musketry. In a short time it was cut down, and the 
warriors ranging themselves along its trunk, attached their lariats 
and drew it into the camp ground amid shouts of joy. The medi- 
cine man selected a few warriors to raise the sacred pole; the men 
so selected performed the duty, while the remainder of the congre- 
gated Indians prayed to their god to keep off' the evil spirit and 
bless the undertaking. The tent was then pitched. Inside were 
four stalls erected, with walls three feet high, two for the male 
and two for the female dancers, generally young people who had 
in a moment of imminent danger vowed to perform this service of 
praise to the Great Spirit if he would only save them. 

The medicine man announced everything ready, when the 
dancers, numbering 40 maids and braves, entered their respective 
stalls. The latter wore feathers in their scalplocks and otherwise 
displayed a style of costume not yet adopted by the children of 
civilization. They had nothing on but a coat of paint. Some of 
them were frescoed gorgeously and tastefully, while others, prob- 
ably the married men and philosophers, put on their favorite colors 
hideously and carelessly as if they cared not whether the girls 
smiled on or spurned them. The squaws, however, had completed 
their varied toilets with much care. They moved about among the 
braves with perfect indifference and gave no sign that the airiness 
of the warriors 1 dress offended them in the least. The orchestra, 
composed of half a dozen chiefs with the usual tum-tum apparatus, 
took its place shortly before midnight on Sept. 3, and to their mu- 
sic, the grunting of the medicine man, singers and head men, with 
a wild song by the dancers, the ceremonies commenced. Each 
dancer was provided with a whistle, made from the wing bone of a 
goose, ornamented with feathers and colors. As they jumped 
about they sounded shrill notes on these "musical" instruments, 
which, blended with the whoops, grunts, yells and monotonous 
tum-tum of the drums, fell upon the civilized ear with startling 
effect. Hour after hour the dance was kept up, the only intermis- 
sion being at the will of the drummers, who were relieved at inter- 
vals. At times the surging and noises subsided, when one of the 
wise men recited tales of heroism for the edification of the young 
dancers. 

During the day-time the warriors gave sundry exhibitions of 
their powers of endurance. A muscular brave stood unconcerned 
while two chiefs stuck long skewers through the flesh of his shoul- 
ders. The lines of a horse were attached to the skewers, and the 
warrior ordered to lead the animal around until the flesh gave way. 
With blood streaming down his back and breast, and mingling 
with the paint upon his dusky, body, the strong savage walked 
around for some hours without a murmur. Though the flesh upon 
his shoulders tore in the direction of his neck, yet it did not give 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 143 

way, and the medicine man with much ceremony, unbound the 
hero, withdrew the skewers and left him at liberty to walk around 
the camp in triumph. 

In the second trial a young brave was introduced, who allowed 
two skewers to be thrust through the flesh of his breast, to which 
two lariats were attached. These were suspended from the root 
pole of the tent. He then began to swing around the tent as far 
as the lariat would allow him, throwing his whole weight upon 
these raw-hide lines in an endeavor to break loose. During this 
barbarous exhibition, the drummers drummed with all their might 
and the dancers wore out their new moccasins in their efforts to dance 
harder. After two hours of such terrible exercise, the brave dem- 
onstrated the toughne.-s of his flesh, and the entire band called out 
for his release, when the medicine man withdrew the skewers amid 
grunts of approval from old and young. 

Another heroic scalper permitted three wooden pegs to be driven 
into his flesh. To these pegs heavy muskets were tied, and with 
this load the Indian walked proudly into the midst of the girls' 
dancing ground and flirted with the dusky maids as if nothing 
troubled him. 

The dance was kept up for a few nights, when the medicine man 
made u medicine for rain," and in an hour a perfect down-pour 
came to announce to them that the Great Spirit was pleased with 
the festival. 

THE DOG FEAST. 

After the dance the " white-dog feast" was spread. It was sup- 
posed by those sons of nature that the eating of a dog's liver, with- 
out regard to the quality of the dog, made them strong-hearted. 
The temple used for the thiist dance was taken down, the pole 
alone being allowed to stand. Around this remnant of the tem- 
ple the warriors seated themselves for a convivial smoke. Sud- 
denly a cry was heard, the warriors sprang to their feet 
and commenced circling around to the dismal music of a drum; the 
quivering carcass of a white dog was cast into the circle by one of 
the squaws; the men whooped in ecstacy; the carcass was cut open, 
the liver taken out and suspended by a shag-a-nappi thong from 
the sacred pole; the warriors stepped forward one by one, and each 
taking a bite of the yet warm liver, marched off contented. As 
soon as this liver was consumed another dog was cast into the cir- 
cle, when a similar performance was enacted. This continued to 
the end of the great feast until, perhaps, 100 dogs were thus sac- 
rificed. 

Such is a description of only one barbarous festival held on the 
ground where Saginaw City now stands. It was, however, the 
most pacific exhibition of Indian endurance and religious ideas, not 
approaching in barbarity many terrible dramas enacted on the 
camping grounds of the red men. 



144 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

THE TREATY OF SAGINAW. 

Early in June, 1819, General Cass received a copy of the treaty, 
which the Government desired should be made with the Indians. 
In that document a few extraordinary articles were presented, which 
however were not read before the council. The following is a 
transcript of the first treaty of Saginaw, with the names of all par- 
ties engaged in its presentation to, and acceptance by the Indians. 

Art. 1. The Chippewa nation of Indians, in consideration of the stipulations 
herein made on the part of the United States, do hereby forever cede to the 
United States the land comprehended within the following lines and boundaries : 
Beginning at a point in the present Indian boundary line, which runs due north 
from the mouth of the great Anglaize river, six miles south of the place where 
the base line, so called, intersects the same ; thence, west, sixt}' miles ; thence, in 
a direct line, to the head of Thunder Bay river; thence, down the same, follow- 
ing the course thereof, to the mouth ; thence, northeast, to the boundary line 
between the United States and the British Province of Upper Canada; thence, 
with the same, to the line established by the treaty of Detroit, in the year one 
thousand eight hundred and seven ; thence with the said line to the place of 
beginning. 

Art. 2. From the cession aforesaid the following tracts of land shall be 
reserved, for the use of the Chippewa nation of Indians. 

One tract, of eight thousand acres, on the east side of the river Au Sable near 
where the Indians now live. 

One tract, of two thousand acres, on the river Mesagwisk. 

One tract, of six thousand acres, on the north side of the river Kawkawling, at 
the Indian village. 

One tract, of five thousand seven hundred and sixty acres, upon the Flint 
river, to include Reaum's village, and a place called Kishkawbawee. 

One tract, of eight thousand acres, on the head of the river Huron, which 
empties into the Saginaw river, at the village of Otusson. 

One island in the Saginaw Bay. 

One tract, of two thousand acres, where Nabolask formerly lived. 

One tract, of one thousand acres, near the island in the Saginaw river. 

One tract, of two thousand acres, at the mouth of Point Au Gn s river. 
i One tract, of one thousand acres, on the river Huron, at Menoequet's village. 

One tract, of ten thousand acres, on the Shawassee river, at a place called the 
Big Rock . 

One tract, of three thousand acres, on the Shawassee river, at Kelchewaundau- 
genick. 

One tract, of six thousand acres, at the Little Forks, on the Tetabawasink river. 

One tract, of six thousand acres, at the Black Bird's town, on the Tetabawasink 
river. 

One tract, of forty thousand acres, on the Saginaw river, to be hereafter located. 

Art. 3. There shall be reserved for the use of each of the persons hereinafter 
mentioned and their heirs, which persons are all Indians by descent, the follow- 
ing tracts of land : 

For the use of John Riley, the son of Menawcumegoqua, a Chippewa woman, 
six hundred and forty acr -s of land, beginning at-the -head of the first marsh 
above the mouth of the Saginaw river, on the east s : de thereof. 

For the use of Peter Riley, the son of Menawcumegoqua, a Chippewa woman, 
six hundred and forty acres of laod beginning above and adjoin ng the apple- 
trees on the west side of the Saginaw river, and running up the same for quantity. 

For the use of James Riley, the son of Me lawcumegoqua, a Chippewa woman, 
six hundred and forty acres, beginning on the east side of the Saginaw river, 
nearly opposite to Campau's trading house, and running up the river for quantity. 

For the use of Kawkawiskou, or the Crow, a Chippewa chief, six hundred and 
forty acres of land, on the east side of the Saginaw river, at a place called Men- 
itsgow, and to include, in the said six hundred and forty acres, the island opposite 
to the said place. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



145 



For the use of Nowokeshik, Metawanene, Mokilchenoqua, Nondeshernau, 
Petabonaqua, Messawwakut, Checbalk, Kitchegeequa, S igosequa, Annoketoqua, 
and Tawcumegoqua, each, six hundred and forty acres of land, to be located at 
and near the grand traverse of the Flint river, in such manner as the President 
of the Tinted States may direct. 

For the use of the children of Bokowtonden, six hundred and forty acres, 
on the Kawkawling river. 

Art. 4. In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the United States agree to 
pay to the Chippewa nation of Indians, annually, for ever, the sum of one thou- 
sand dollars in silver: and do hereby agree that all annuities clue by any former 
treaty to the said tribe, shall be hereafter paid in silver. 

Art. 5. The stipulation contained in the treaty of Greenville, relative to the 
riirht of the Indians to hunt upon the land ceded, while it continues the property 
of the United States, shall apply to this treaty; and the Indians shall, for the 
same term, enjoy the privilege of making sugar upon the same land, committing 
no unnecessary waste upon the trees. 

Art. 6. The United States agree to pay to the Indians the value of any im- 
provements which they may be obliged to abandon in consequence of the lines 
established by this treaty, and which improvements add real value to the land. 

Art. 7. The United States reserve to the proper authority the right to make 
roads through any part of the land reserved by this treaty. 

Aim. 8 The united States engage to provide and support a blacksmith for 
the Indians, at Saginaw, so long as the President of the United States may think 
proper, and to furnish the Chippewa Indians with such farming utensils, and 
cattle, and to employ such persons to aid them in their agriculture, as the Presi- 
dent may deem expedient. 

Art. '.'. This treaty shall take effect, and be obligatory on the contracting 
parties, SO soon as the same shall be ratified by the President'of the United States, 
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof. 

In testimony whereof, the said Lewis Cass, Commissioner as aforesaid, and the 
Chiefs and Warriors of the Chippewa nation of Indians, have hereunto set their 
hands, at Saginaw, in the Territory of 'Michigan, this twenty-fourth day of Sep- 
tember, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen. 

LEWIS CASS. 
After the contracting- parties agreed, the following names were 
affixed to the document : 



Pa-ken-o-sega, 

Ke-ken-ut-chega, 

Chimokemow, 

Kenenutchegun, 

Bfocksonga, 

Noukonwabe, 

Sbingwalk, 

Shingwalk, Jr., 

Wawaubequak, 

Pashkobwis, 

Muskobenense, 

Waubonoosa, 

Wausaquanai, 

Minequet, 

Otauson, 

Tussegua, 

Mixabee, 

Kitchewawashen, 

Neebeenaquin, 



Kauguest , 

Kilsheematush. 

Aneuwayba, 

Walkcaykeejugo, 

Anton waynabee, 

Xawgonissee, 

Owenisham, 

Wauweeyatam, 



Okooyousinse, 

Ondottowaugane, 

Amickoneena, 

Kitcheonundeeyo, 

Saugassawway, 



Wassau, 

Keneobe, 

Moksauba, 

Mutchwetau, 
Nuwanon, 



( ) k e e m a n peenay- Okumanpinase, 



see, 
Minggeeseetay, 



S h a ws h a uwenau- Waubishcan, 



bais, 

( )kcmares, or Oke- 

mes. 
Misbeneanon(|iiet, 
Nimeke, 

Manelingobwawaa, 
Puckwash, 
Wa-eneso, 
Mantons, 
Eennewobe 



Anuee ma ye own- Agangonabe, 



beeme, 

Oneweipia. 

Nayokeeman, 

Peshquescum. 

Muckcumcinau, 

Kitcheenoting, 

Waubeekeenew, 

Pashkeekou, 

May to, 

Sheemaugua, 



Sigonak, 

Kokoosh, 

Pemaw, 

Kawotoktame, 

Sabo, 

Kcwageone, 

Metewa, 

Kawiiesbequm, 

Keyacum, 

Atowagesek, 



Peaypaymanshee, 
Ocanauck, 
Ogeebouinse. 
Paymeenoting, 
Nay nooautienish- 

koan, 
Kaujagonaygee, 
Mayneeseno. 
Kakagouryan, 
Meewayson, 
Wepecumgegut, 
Markkenwuwbe, 
Fonegawne, 
Nemete owwa, 
Kitchmokooman, 
Kishkaukou, 
Peenaysee, 
Ogemaunkeketo, 
Reaume, 
Xowkeshuc, 
Mixmunitou 



Meckseonne, 

Paupemiskobe. 

Kagkakeshik, 

Wauwassack, 

Mawmawkens, 

Mamawsecuta, 

Penaysewaykesek, 

Kewaytinam, 

Sepewan, 

Shashebak, 

Shaconk, 

Mesnakrea, 

Siuggok, 

Maytwayaushing, 

Saguhosh, 

Saybo, 

Obwole, 

Paymusawtum, 

Endus, 

Aushetayawnekusa 

Wawapenishik, 

Omikou, 

Leroy. 



146 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

WITNESSES AT SIGNING: 

John L. Lieb, Secretary; D. G. Whitney, Assistant-Secretary; C. L. Case, 
Capt. 3d Infantry; R. A Forsyth, Jr., acting commissioner; Chester Root, 
Capt. U. S. Artillery; John Peacock, Lieut 3d U. S. Infantry; G. Godfrey, 
sub-Agent ; W. Knaggs, sub-Agent ; William Tuckey, Louis Beaufort, John 
Hurson, sworn Interpreters James V. S. Ryley. B. r Campau, John Hill, Army 
Contractors ; J. Whipple, Henry I. Hunt, William Keith, A. E. Lacock, M. S. 
K. ; Richard Smyth, Louis Dequindre, B. Head, John Smyth, Conrad Ten Eyck. 

PRESENTATION OF THE TREATY. 

Owing to the number and ferocity of many of the Indian inhab- 
itants of the valley, it was a matter of the greatest importance that 
not only should the Governor be a true representative of the power- 
ful young Republic, but also that every one associated with him in 
the enterprise, should fully realize the great value of the issues at 
stake. They would have to reply to the natural logic of nature's 
children; and obtain by the power of mild persuasion all that 
which force might possibly fail to obtain at the time. With this 
sense of responsibility resting upon him, and shared in by the 
members of his party, he left Detroit Sept. 7, and arrived at Cam- 
pau's location near the great Indian camp three days later. The 
story of this visit of Gen. Cass, and the varied places of treaty- 
making with the Indians has been graphically described by Hon. 
Charles P. Avery. He refers to the Territorial Governor at the 
beginning, and follows up the story of the treaty of 1819 from its 
beginning to its close: — 

u Gen. Cass," he says, "was then in the vigor of his manhood, 
with a laudable ambition to achieve a national reputation, and to 
identify himself by his exertions with the acquisitions of such a 
valuable body of land, feeling that the influx of immigration, then 
beginning to be felt at Detroit and its vicinity, required a wider 
domain for it to spread over, and with the greater security it 
would give to life and property of settlers upon the domain which 
had been acquired by the previous treaty, and felt the importance 
of the enterprise into which he was about to embark, and that if 
successful, it would be an achievement upon which any statesman 
might well ground a claim for the gratitude of those then living at 
and near Detroit, and might be excused if he looked to such 
achievement as the ground work of future national honors. He 
appeared upon the Saginaw, upon the site of what is now Saginaw 
City, on the 10th of September, 1819, with his staff of interpreters 
and assistants. They made the journey the whole distance upon 
horseback, from Detroit via Flint, and thence down the river by 
what was until lately the Indian Reservation of Pe-won-ny- 
go-wingh, which was at that time the Tribal home of Chief Ne-ome 
and his successor in the chieftainship, Tone-dok-a-nee. 

' ' Before leaving Detroit the General had directed Mr. Louis 
Campau, who had been, since 1816, an established Indian trader 
at that point upon the Saginaw, to build the council house and 
make the necessary arrangements for the reception of the Com- 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 147 

missioner and his company. No other man could have been 
so appropriately selected to meet the Commissioner's expectations 
and aid him in the details of the enterprise. 

"Mr. Campau yet survives, an aged gentleman, but with an 
accurate memory, a fine representative of the better class of early 
French pioneers; a liberal, public-spirited and worthy citizen. 
Two Government vessels, laden with stores for the subsistence of 
those upon the treaty ground, were sent around by Lakes St. Clair 
and Huron. One of these was a company of United States 
soldiers, commanded by Captain Cass, a brother of the General, 
who had been ordered to the treaty ground for the protection of 
those in attendance. By the time the Commissioner, with his 
staff of interpreters, had arrived, Mr. Campau and his employes 
had constructed the council house. It was spacious and commodi- 
ous, extending several hundred feet along the bank of the river a 
few rods back from the shore, and of the requisite width to accom- 
modate the large number of natives who were expected to be 
S resent. Situated nearly between the present site of the "Webster 
[ouse and the river, but several rods farther down on the slight 
ridge or second rise from the shore, its position was commanding 
and pleasant. Trees conveniently situated furnished the columns 
of the council hall, and boughs interlaced above made the roof. 
The sides and ends were open. It was of an order of architecture 
not recognized by Ruskin, Downing, Upjohn or any professional 
writer upon that branch of science. It was doubtless more nearly 
assimilated to that temple described by the great poet of nature, 
Bryant, in the opening of his Forest Hymn, — ' Tlie groves were 
God's first temples.' A platform made of logs, faced or evened 
by the ax, was elevated about a foot above the ground, and broad 
enough to accommodate company upon rustic benches. Com- 
missioner Cass and the other officials occupied the central portion 
of the council room. Huge logs in their native roughness had 
been rolled in upon the other space to be used as seats by the 
native lords of the soil when in common council. The bordering 
woods were dotted with temporary wigwams, hastily and rudely 
built by the natives for the accommodation of themselves and fam- 
ilies during the pendency of the negotiation. 

Among other preparations, temporary but convenient additions 
to his trading house had been made by Mr. Campau, sufficiently 
spacious to make a good-sized dining-room for the large number 
of officials present, and comfortable quarters for the Commissioner. 
The number of Indians present at the time of his arrival was not 
as large as was expected. Messengers or runners had been sent 
among the different bands, some living quite remote from the 
place of holding the council, to notify them of the proposed treaty, 
and others out for like purposes after the fact became apparent 
that some localities were not properly represented. The number 
present upon the treaty ground on the day when the third council, 
which was the fullest, was held, has been variously estimated from 
1,500 to 4,000. They were mainly Chippewas, but not all. 



148 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

There were present some Ottawas of pure and mixed blood, and 
although in our State papers the parties of the treaty are spoken 
of as the United States on the one side, and the Chippewa nation 
on the other, there are the names of chiefs and head men affixed 
to the treaty who were of Ottawa descent. There were but three 
regular councils or audiences held during the 10 or 12 days that 
the negotiations were pending. At such formal councils only the 
chiefs, warriors, head men and braves were called and admitted into 
the council hall, although the sides being open and the opportunity 
for hearing and seeing unimpeded, the Indian women and their 
children gathered in timid groups close by. They were silent, but 
by no means disinterested spectators of the solemn negotiations 
proceeding within, which involved no less than a full and final 
surrender of the burial places of their fathers, the ancient hunting 
grounds of their people, the fair and beautiful heritage of forest 
and corn ground, lake and river. 

"At the first council Gen. Cass made known to the natives, 
through Henry Conner and Whitmore Knaggs, experienced and 
highly respected Indian traders,' and as interpreters most compe- 
tent, the object of his journey from Detriot and the general 
purposes of our Government. He endeavored to impress upon 
them the paternal regard which their ' Great Father , at Wash- 
ington had for their welfare, and the hope that the peaceful 
relations which had existed between them since the close of the 
war should be rendered perpetual. He reminded them of their 
condition as a people, the swelling of the wave of civilization 
toward their hunting grounds, the growing scarcity of game, the 
importance and necessity of turning their attention more to agri- 
culture and relinquishing the more uncertain modes of living by 
the chase, and the better condition they would ultimately be in by 
confining themselves to reservations ample for the purpose of 
agriculture, to be provided for them by the proposed treaty, and the 
cession of the residue of the territory then occupied by those who 
were there represented, upon such terms and guarantees as their 
condition required, including therein stipulated annuities. He 
was answered by their chief speaker with a gravity and eloquence 
peculiar to Indian councils. Three chiefs of high repute acted as 
speakers for the Indians, who survived for some years after the 
treaty, and were known to some of the earlier settlers in the 
valley. Their names were often pronounced by early traders 
and pioneers differently, and are found in documents with different 
orthography, but as they appear at the foot of the treaty they are 
Mish-e-ne-na-non-e-quet, O-ge-maw-ke-ke-to, and also, at the first 
council, Kish-kaw-ko. At the subsequent councils the latter was 
not present, except at the last, and then merely to affix his totem 
to the treaty after it had engrossed for execution. He had put 
himself out of condition at the close of day by drinking, and 
remained in a state quite unpresentable as a speaker for the 
residue of the time. He was an Indian of violent temper, and in 
excitement of liquor was reckless in the commission of outrage. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 151 

Subsequent to the treaty, after many acts of violence, he was 
arrested and died in prison at Detroit. He was less dangerous in 
his wigwam quietly drunk than in the council room tolerably 
sober. 

"The chief speaker, O-ge-maw-ke-ke-to, opposed the proposition 
made by Commissioner Cass, with indignation. His speech, as 
remembered by persons still surviving, who were interested listen- 
ers, was a model of Indian eloquence. He was then quite young, 
not more than 25 years of age, above the average height, and in his 
bearing, graceful and handsome. Although in the later years of 
his life lie was often seen intoxicated, he never fully lost a conscious 
dignity which belonged to his nature as one of the original lords 
of the soil. In true eloquence he was probably hardly surpassed by 
the Seneca chief, Sa-go-ye-wat-ha (Red Jacket). His band lived 
at the Forks of the Tittabawassee, and like the famous Seneca chief 
he wore upon his breast a superb Government medal. He addressed 
the Commissioner as follows: 

" 'You do not know our wishes. Our people wonder what has 
brought you so far from your homes. Your young men have 
invited us to come and light the council fire. We are here to 
smoke the pipe of peace, but not to sell our lands. Our American 
Father wants them. Our English Father treats us better. He has 
never asked for them. Your people trespass upon our hunting- 
grounds. You flock to our shores. Our waters grow warm; our 
land melts like a cake of ice. Our possessions grow smaller and 
smaller. The warm wave of the white man rolls in upon us and 
melts us away. Our women reproach us. Our children want 
homes. Shall we sell from under them the spot where they spread 
their blankets? We have not called you here. We smoke with 
you the pipe of peace.' 

"To this the Commissioner replied with earnestness, reproving 
the speaker for arrogant assumption, that their Great Father at 
Washington had just closed a war in which he had whipped their 
Father, the English king, and the Indians too; that their lands 
were forfeited in fact by the rules of war, but that he did not pur- 
pose to take them without rendering back an equivalent, notwith- 
standing their late acts of hostility; that their women and children 
should have secured to them ample tribal reserves on which they 
could live, unmolested by their white neighbors, where the # y could 
spread their blankets and be aided and instructed in agriculture. 

"The council for the day closed. The Commissioner with his 
staff of earnest and devoted assistants, composed of gentlemen 
distingushed at Indian councils, Whitmore Knaggs, known to the 
natives as O-ke-day -ben-don, and beloved by them; Henry Conner, 
known to them as Wah-be-sken-dip, meaning literally white-head, 
significant of the color of his hair; Col. Beaufait, G. Godfroy 
sub-agent, John Harson and other gentlemen of deserved influence 
with the Chippewas, all retired to their lodgings disappointed and 
anxious, while the chiefs and head-men of the natives retired to 
their wigwams in sullen dignity, unapproachable and unappeased, 
10 



152 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

certainly a very unpropitious opening of the great and important 
undertaking and trust which Gen. Cass had in hand. The juncture 
was a critical one, and for a full appreciation of it a brief allusion 
to the relative status of the two parties becomes pardonable 
if not necessary. The proposition for a cession of the Indian 
title came from us, not them. Their possessory control by our 
uniform recognition and action was as yet perfect. For any 
lawlessness or vindictive act upon the treaty ground there would 
have been immunity from immediate punishment and probably 
ultimate escape. The whites, comparatively, were few in number. 
The military company on board the schooner, anchored in the 
stream, was quite inadequate to successful resistance against an 
organized and general outbreak. 

"Sufficient time had not elasped to wash out the bitter memories 
of border feuds, of fancied or real wrong. Footprints were yet 
fresh upon the war-path. Indeed, only the fifth summer had passed 
since that war had closed which had laid low many Chippewa 
warriors. Our Commissioner and his staff of assistants had placed 
themselves voluntarily within their strong hold upon the Saginaw, 
to which no pale-face had entered throughout that formidable 
struggle, unless as pinioned and care-depressed captives, with the 
exception of the single memorable instance of the daring trader 
Smith, to rescue from captivity the children of the Boyer family, 
who had been taken captives with their father from their homes on 
the Clinton river near Mount Clemens. Here within a half dozen 
summers previous, they had drilled in martial exercise, trained 
themselves to warlike feats, and prepared for those deadly excur- 
sions into our frontier settlements, and for those more formidable 
engagements where disciplined valor was called upon to breast 
their wild charge. After the bloody raid, to this valley they 
looked as to a fastness, and to it returned with their captives and 
streaming trophies. And here, too, had been for generations their 
simple altar in the unpruned forests; their festivals, called lyus, 
without reference to their true significance; their dances, when 
thanks went up to the Great Spirit for the yearly return of the 
successive blessings of a fruitful season, following to its source, 
with direct purpose and thankful hearts, the warm ray which gave 
to them the trickling sap, which reddened the berry, which 
embrowned the tassel of the corn and perfected their slender 
Jiarvest. 

"Ne-ome, the chief of one of the largest bands ot the Chippewas, 
occupied and assumed to control the most southerly portion of 
their national domain. The Flint river, with its northerly afflu- 
ents, was, by the line of the treaty of 1807, left a little north of the 
border in full Indian possession. It was called by the natives Fe- 
won-unk-ening, meaning literally " the river of the Flint," and by 
the early French traders, La Pierre, as was the principal fording 
or crossing place of that river, called by them Grand Traverse, a 
lew rods below the Flint city bridge. By the Chippewas the site 
of that city was called Mus-cu-ta-wa-ingh, meaning "open plain 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 153 

burnt over." That river, after leaving the northerly part of Lapeer 
county, bears southward to the Grand Traverse (city of Flint) and 
then curves northerly to meet the Saginaw, the crescent which 
it thus describes lying upon the southern border (or nearly so) of 
what were the home possessions, intact and unaffected by previous 
treaties, of those bands of Chippewas whose chiefs and head-men 
met Gen. Cass in council at Saginaw. 

••Well-beaten trails upon the Flint and its tributaries, reaching 
to their headwaters and upon all the affluents of the Saginaw, all 
converging to the main river as the center, forming a network of 
communication which might not inaptly be compared to an open 
fan, with the handle resting upon the treaty ground, gave the 
Chippewas, upon the banks of those streams, unobstructed access, 
by land as well as by canoes upon the rivers, to the Commissioner 
in council. The advancing wave of white settlements had already 
approached, and in some instances had without authority encroached 
upon the southerly border of their net- work ot trails UDon the 
Flint. 

"In point of location, geographically, Ne-ome and his powerful 
band stood at the door, the very threshold of the large tract of 
land which our Government, through its faithful and earnest 
Commissioner, wanted. To any one standing at Detroit and 
looking northerly to the beautiful belt of land lying westerly of the 
river St. Clair and Lake Huron, it was plain that the old chief, 
Ne-ome, stood, unless well disposed toward the treaty, indeed a 
lion in the path. Ne-ome was honest and simple-minded, evincing 
but little of the craft and cunning of his race, sincere in his nature, 
by no means astute, firm in his friendships, easy to be pursuaded 
by any benefactor who should appeal to his Indian sense of grati- 
tude; harmless and kind. In stature he was short and heavily 
molded. With his own people he was a chief of patriarchal 
goodness, and his name is never mentioned by any of the members 
of his band, even at this remote day, except with a certain tradition- 
ary sorrow, more impressive in its mournful simplicity than a 
labored epitaph. 

"After Gen. Cass had made known the purpose of the Govern- 
ment in calling the council, he found the Chippewas were, as before 
detailed, with minds by no means disposed to treat or cede. 
There was a power rested in the hands of an Indian trader who was 
known to the Chippewas as Wah-be-sins (the Young Swan), and to 
the border settlers as Jacob Smith. He had been for a long time 
a trader among the Indians at different points on the Flint and 
Saginaw, both before and after the war of 1812. His principal 
trading-post, which he made his permanent one, the same year of 
the treaty, was at the Grand Traverse of the Flint, in the first ward 
of that city, near where the Baptist church now stands. By long 
residence among them he had assimilated his habits and ways of 
ving to those of the natives, even to the adoption of their mode of 
dress, and spoke their language fluently and correctly. He was 
generous to them, warm-hearted and intrepid. Though small in 



154 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

stature and light in weight, he was powerful as well as agile. Like 
most men living upon our Indian frontiers, he had become the 
lather of a half-breed family, one of whom, a daughter, by the 
name of Mo-kitch-e-no-qwa, was then living. Skilled in wood- 
craft, sagacious and adroit, he maybe said to have equaled, if not 
excelled, the natives in many of those qualities which, as forest 
heroes, they most admire. Brought into almost daily intercourse 
with the large band of Chippewas upon the Saginaw and its tribu- 
taries, the opportunity was at hand of ingratiating himself into the 
confidence ot the chief and head men of that influential branch of 
the natives known as Ne-ome's band; and it is safe to say, that of 
the 114 chiefs and head men of the Chippewa nation, whose totems 
were affixed to the treaty, there was not one with whom he had not 
dealt and to whom he had not extended some act of friendship, either 
dispensing the rights of hospitality at his trading post, or in substan- 
tial advances to them of bread or of blankets, as their necessity may 
have required. He had entrenched himself in their friendship; 
and at the time of the treaty, so nearly had he identified himself 
with the good chief, Ne-ome, that each ever hailed the other as 
brother. Even to this day, Sa-gos-e-wa-qua, a daughter of Ne-ome, 
and others of his descendants now living, when speaking of Smith 
and the old chief, invariably bring their hands together, pressing the 
two index tigers closely to each other, as the Indian's symbol of 
brotherhood and warm attachment. 

" Upon the treaty ground the two friends acted unitedly and 
in perfect unison. Smith had no position at the treaty, either as 
interpreter for or agent of Gen. Cass. He was personally known to 
the General, for when not at his trading post he was at Detroit, 
where he had a white family; but it is quite evident that he was 
looked upon with some distrust by the Commissioner. For days 
the most active efforts of the authorized interpreters and agents of 
the Government were ineffectual in conciliating Ne-ome, O-ge- 
maw-ke-ke-to and the other chiefs. Not a step of progress was 
made until Mr. Knaggs and other agents, who assumed, but with 
what authority is somewhat doubtful, to speak for the Govern- 
ment outside of the council room, had promised the faithful Ne- 
ome that in addition to various and ample reservations for the dif- 
ferent bands, of several thousand acres each, there should be 
reserved, as requested by Wah-be-sins (Smith), 11 sections of 
land of 640 acres each, to be located at or near Grand Traverse of 
the Flint. Eleven names as such reservees, all Indian names, 
were passed over to Mr. Knaggs on a slip of paper in his tent. A 
council was again called several days after the first one and fully 
attended by all the chiefs and warriors. This, with other points of 
difficulty, had become quieted. The storm which at first threat- 
ened to overwhelm the best efforts of the Commissioner and the 
active agents had passed over, and then a calm and open discussion 
ensued of the terms and basis upon which a just and honorable 
treaty should be, and at length was concluded." 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 155 

There was but one more general council held, which was mainly 
formal, for the purpose of having affixed to the engrossed copy of 
the treaty, the signature of Gen. Cass and the witnesses, and the to- 
tems of the chiefs and head men of the Ohippewas and Ottawas. 
A removal of the Chippewas west of the Mississippi, at least west 
of Lake Michigan, was one of the purposes sought to be gained by 
our Government at the treaty, in addition to the cession of the 
valuable body of land lying upon the Saginaw and its affluents. 
In the instructions from the War Department to the Commissioner, 
this purpose is set out among others; but it was discovered by the 
General soon after his arrival at the council, that it was impossi- 
ble to carry out that part of his instructions which related to the 
removal of the Indians, without hazarding the consummation of a 
treaty upon any terms. This country has been so long occupied 
by their people, and was so well adapted to their hunter state, in 
the remarkable abundance offish in its rivers, lakes and bays, and 
in the game yet left to them and not very materially diminished in 
the forests, that they were not inclined to listen to any proposi- 
tion of removal. During the afternoon of the last day of the 
council the Indians agreed to the various articles of the treaty, 
affixed their totems or names in the presence of the Governor's 
staff and assistants, and received their first treaty money from the 
United States. 

THE SECOND TREATY WITH THE SAGIXAWS. 

A treaty was made at Detroit, Jan. 14, 1837, between Henry E. 
Schoolcraft, in behalf of the United States, and the Saginaw tribe 
of the ( liippewa nation, by their chief and delegates assembled in 
council, in which the Chippewas ceded to the United States the 
fallowing tracts of land lying within the boundaries of Michigan, 
namely: One tract of 8,000 acres on the river An Sable; one 
tract of 2,000 acres on the Misho-wusk, or Rifle river; one tract of 
6,000 acres on the north side of the river Kaw-kaw-ling; one tract 
of 5, 760 acres upon Flint river, including the site of Reaum's vil 
Lage, and a place called Kishkawbawee; one tract of 8,000acreson 
the head oi ('ass (formerly Huron), river, at the village of Otusson; 
one island in the Saginaw Bay, estimated at 1,000 acres, being the 
island called Shaingwaukokang, on which Muckokoosh formerly 
lived; one tract of 2,000 acres at JSababish, on the Saginaw river; 
one tract of 1,000 on the east side of the Saginaw river; one tract of 
640 acres at Great Bend, on Cass river; one tract of 2,000 acres 
at the mouth of Point an (ires river; one tract of 1,000 acres on 
the (ass river at Menoquet's village; one tract of 10,000 acres on 
the Shiawassee river at Ket-che-waun-dauguniink, or Big Lick; one 
tract of 6,000 acres at the Little Forks, on the Tetabawasing river; 
one tract of 6,000 acres at the Black Bird's town, on the Tetaba- 
wasing river; one tract of 40,000 acres on the west side of the Sag 
in aw river. 



156 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The sum of money derived from the sale of these lands after de- 
ducting expenses of survey and treaty, was to be invested under 
the direction of the President, in some public stock; and the in- 
terest thereof to be paid annually to the Indians. Certain sums 
were also set apart for the payment of their valid debts and for 
depredations committed after the surrender of Detroit, in 1812. The 
Indians agreed to remove from Michigan to some point west of 
Lake Superior, or locate west of the Mississippi and southwest of 
the Missouri rivers, to be decided by Congress. 

A supplementary article to a treaty between the United States 
and the Saginaw tribe of Chippewas, provided for the erection of 
a lighthouse on the Na-bo-bish tract of land, lying at the mouth of 
the Saginaw river, and a subsequent article of tie same treaty, con- 
cluded at East Saginaw, changed the location of the lighthouse to 
the 40,000-acre tract of land at the mouth of the same river. 

THE TREATY OF 1838. 

A treaty was concluded at the city of Saginaw, Jan. 23, 1838, be- 
tween a commissioner of the United States and the several bands 
of the Chippewa nation, comprehended within the districts of Sag- 
inaw, in which the chiefs of the Chippewas represented, that at the 
sale of lands for their use, a combination was formed and the prices 
per acre greatly diminished. The treaty then provided that all 
lands brought into market under the authority of the previous 
treaty (Jan. 14, 1837) should be sold to the register and receiver 
for two years from date of commencement of sale, at $5 per acre, 
which sum was declared the minimum price; provided, t' at should 
any portion of said lands remain unsold at the expiration of the 
two years, the minimum price was to be reduced to $2. 50 per acre, 
at which price the remaining lands were to be disposed of; and 
after live years from date of ratification of treaty, if any lands then 
remained, they were to be sold for the sum they would command, 
but none less than 75 cents per acre. 

THE TREATY OF 1855. 

Subsequently, a treaty was concluded at Detroit, Aug. 2, 1855, 
between George W. Manypenny and Henry C. Gilbert, Commis- 
sioners on the part of the United States, and the Chippewa Indi- 
ans of Saginaw, Swan creek and Black river, in which the United 
States agreed to withdraw from sale six adjoining townships of 
land in Isabella county, and townships Nos. 17 and 18 north, 
ranges 3, 4 and 5 east; agreed to pay the Chippewas the sum of 
$220,000, to be used for education, agriculture, building material, 
etc. ; build a saw-mill at some suitable water-power in Isabella 
county, at a cost not exceeding $8,000; to test the claims and 
pay the just indebtedness of said tribe of Chippewas; to provide an 
interpreter for said Indians for five years and longer if necessary; 
and said Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan creek and Black river, ceded 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 157 

to the United States all lands in Michigan heretofore owned by 
them as reservations; and that the grants and payments provided 
in this treaty were in lien and satisfaction of all claims legal and 
equitable on the part of said Indians, jointly and severally against 
the United States, for land, money, or other thing guarantied to 
said tribes or either of them, by the stipulation of any former 
treaty or treaties; the entries of land made by the Indians and by 
the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church for the benefit of the 
Indians, in townships 14 north and 1 east, and 10 north and 5 east, 
were confirmed and patents issued. 

Schoolcraft's trickery. 

The treaty of 1837 is said to have been drafted by Government 
Commissioner Schoolcraft in 1836, and presented before an Indian 
council the same year. James McCormick, who was then settled 
among the bands on the Indian fields, received from his aborigi- 
nal neighbors a tract of 610 acres of land in recognition of his kind- 
ness to them during the prevalence of the small-pox epidemic. This 
valuable present was received by Mr. McCormick, and went into 
his possession; but in the treaty presented by Schoolcraft there was 
no mention made of the Indian grant to McCormick. One of the 
Indian counselors demanded why this important item was omitted, 
merely gaining for his trouble the laconic answer from the Com- 
missioner : " It can't be done." ''Very well," said the Indian 
orator; "we will not sell our land unless our white brother is pro- 
vided for. We will not sign the treaty." The assembled Indiana 
dispersed and the Commissioner was left to dream over the situ- 
ation in the d- serted wigwam. , 

In January, 1837, the Commissioner invited the counselors to> 
meet him at Detroit, and on the 14th of that month they assembled 
agreeably to such invitation. Mr. Schoolcraft assured them that 
the treaty paper as now presented, contained full assurances that 
Mr. McCormick would be continued as lessee of the lands in ques- 
tion. Thus assured on the honor of an officer of the United States 
Government, the children of the forest deeded away their hunting 
grounds, and, as a few years proved, their munificent gift to their 
white brother also. The Commissioner never inserted an article 
guarantying a title to James McCormick, and as a result he was 
evicted from a home and farm which he improved, which he mer- 
ited, and which was endeared to him by many associations. About 
this period small-pox decimated the ranks of the Indian warriors, 
and where it failed to secure a victim, the officials appointed to 
carry out the treaty articles, generally succeeded. 



CHAPTER III. 

AFTER THE TREATY. 

As early as 1811, the French traders found a home among the 
Saginaws and for years after carried on an extensive trade, giving 
food and peltries in exchange for furs and pemmican. Among them 
was one American named Jacob Smith, better known as Wah-be- 
sins, or Young Swan. He was a favorite hunter with the Indians, 
and accompanied them in their hunting expeditions until the period 
of the establishment of his post on the Flint river. For years his 
friendship for the Campau brothers was unquestioned, and with 
them he found a home whenever his travels led him to the great 
camping ground. Years rolled by, and this friendship lasted; but 
before the ink was dry on the treaty of 1819, a passion, as unfortun- 
ate as it was unjust, seized upon him; he deserted his old friend, 
and was the primary means of urging the Indian < to ignore their 
debts, and rob the resident trader, Campau, of money which was 
justly due him. In the following pages a reference is made to the 
white trappers of the Saginaw. 

Louis Campau, or Ne-ta-ba-ba-pm-is-id, formerly a "voyageur," 
settled at Detroit immediately succeeding the close of hostilities in 
1815, though for years previously it was his custom to visit that 
part. He was a native of Lower Canada, and in possession of 
those faculties which are peculiarly adapted to the life of a front- 
iersman. Genial and even polite in his intercourse with his Amer- 
ican friends, he extended to the Indians, also, a warm greeting 
which won their confidence. In May, 1816, Mr. Campau entered 
upon the life of an Indian trader. Traveling to the Saginaw Ka- 
pay-shaw-wink, or the great camping ground of the tribe, he 
erected a house, on which he conferred the title, " Campau's Trad- 
ing Post. 1 ' This building stood on the west side of Water street, 
opposite the location of Wright & Co. 's mill. Three years after 
his settlement here, Louis Campau built a log house on the east 
side of the river, but owing to the opposition of Kish-kaw-ko and 
Mish-ne-na-non-e-quet he retired for safety to the old post. The 
deserted structure stood where the Methodist mission was subse- 
quently established. The house of Norman Little took the place 
of the mission and in later days it formed the site ofTenEyck's 
mill. In June, 1826, Mr. Campau left for Grand Rapids, where 
in the fall of the same year, he located two fractional quarters of 
the public domain, and maybe said to be the prime mover in build- 
ing up the city of that name. Generous to a fault, he served the 
settlers who flocked toward his location, faithfully and liberally; 
aided in every movement to build up the city; so that after the 

(158) 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 159 

war of 1861-'5, the people of Grand Rapids presented their first 
friend with a valuable and well-filled purse. In the history of the 
county the old trader's connection with the valley since the coming 
of the American pioneers, will be referred to, and thus the name 
of one of the earliest white inhabitants of the district shall be per- 
petuated. 

Stephen V. R. Reilly, a trader among the Chippewas, married 
Men-aw-cum-ego-qua, the beauty of the Indian village, the Poca- 
hontas of the tribe. The three sons resulting from this marriage 
were named respectively, John, Peter and James. In the negoti- 
ation of the treaty, Stephen V. R. Reilly exerted all his great in- 
fluence over the Indians, and succeeded in urging them to agree 
to the terms which would be offered to them. In the grant of In- 
dian reserves, he located John Reilly's lands near the mouth of 
the Saginaw, where Bay City now stands. For Peter Reilly he 
obtained a grant of 64<) acres of land beginning above and adjoin- 
ing the apple-trees on the west side of the Saginaw river, and 
running up the same for quantity; and for the use of James Reilly, 
<U<> acres beginning on the east side of the Saginaw river, nearly 
opposite to Campau's trading house and running up the river for 
quantity. Part of the city of East Saginaw is built on this last 
described reservation. 

In 1836 Gen. Stephen V. R. Reilly, who was then 73 years of 
age, and postmaster of Schenectady, New York, revisited Detroit, 
met his son John there, and advised him to sell his lands to 
Andrew T. McReynolds and F. H. Stevens, of Detroit, for not 
less than $30,000. In this manner also, were the claims of other 
boys disposed of. 

Francois Trombley, grandfather of the Trombleys named in this 
review, was well known at the military posts of the St. Lawrence 
and the lakes as early as 1782. Ten years later, in 1702, he 
visited the Saginaw Indians, which proved to be his first and last 
exploration trip in this direction. This adventurous Frenchman 
was drowned, while flying far away from the Indian camp. The 
story of his death states that he made a spear for an Indian, to be 
used in killing muskrats: another Indian came forward to beg a 
similar favor, and for him Trombley made a vrvy improved rat- 
killer. The owner of the first spear grew jealous, abused the good 
<>hl hunter, and ultimately stabbed him in the back. Retiring to 
his boat, he set sail tor Detroit, but never reached that post. It 
is -aid he was knocked overboard by the boom of his boat, and 
was drowned in the waters of Lake Huron. 

Jacob Smith, or AVah-be-sins, settled with his parents in 
Northern Ohio. In 1511 he pushed forward to the Detroit river 
district, and thence north to the Flint and Saginaw. During the 
rambles of the "Young Swan," lie won the friendship of the 
Indians, and as his intercourse with them became more extensive, 
lie entered into all their manners and customs, sympathizing with 
them as a tribal member, and claiming their sympathy in return. 
Smith was the first American who settled in the Saginaw district. 



160 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

He arrived here shortly after Campau, and erected a temporary 
trading-post; at Flint another structure was built by him; but the 
greater portion of his time was passed at Detroit, where his wife 
and family resided. In 1819 he built a substantial log house in 
Flint on the spot now occupied by the First Baptist church. Later 
in the year he made a journey to " Campau's Trading Post," and 
aided in conciliating the Indians of that band, if not in urging 
them to sign the treaty which Gov. Cass presented. His post, at 
Flint, was left in charge of his Indian assistant An-ne-me-kins, 
while Baptiste Cochios, a French friend of Smith's, known in later 
years as Nick-an-niss, accompanied him on his patriotic journey. 
In October, 1819, Smith and Cochios returned to the post, found 
that the young Indian had discharged his duties faithfully; and 
being satisfied that he could be further trusted, both Smitli and 
his friend visited the Canadas, where they traded until 1821. 
From this period until 1825, the two travelers and traders con- 
tinued to have an extensive trade, the while enduring many hard- 
ships. Smith succumbed to disease in 1825; Cochios was the o \ly 
white friend present at his death-bed; An-ne-me-kins, the Indian 
boy of his adoption, was the only red man who witnessed the dying 
struggles of the popular trader. The former made a rude coffin, 
in which he placed the body of the deceased, and, choosing a 
secluded spot near the posi, interred the remains in the presence 
of the assembled Indians. 

Patrice Reaume, or Wemitigoji, was, like Campau, a native of 
the French province of Quebec. For a period of eight years he 
was a trader among the Indians of the Raisin and Huron districts. 
Ultimately he was appointed factor for the American Fur Company 
at the post near Pontiac, and subsequently their trader at the posts 
of Tittabawassee and Saginaw. Reaume's assistant was named 
Louis DeQuindre; both factor and trader were unpopular; nor did 
the action of their countryman, Campau, aid them. On the 
contrary, since the American Fur Company's interests were 
opposed to his, he took every opportunity to notice the faults 
of the employes of the company, and ultimately succeeded in 
driving Reaume and De Quindre from their post- on the 
Tittabawassee and Saginaw. De Quindre, who was in charge of 
the store at the former place, was ejected by the desperate 
Wah-be-man-ito; and, running for his life, left the post in possession 
of the Indian. After a series of wanderings through the forest, 
he was fortunate in reaching Saginaw. This summary ejectment 
was made in the winter of 1828-9, so that the young Frenchman 
suffered much as a refugee, and ever afterward was mentally 
pained whenever the sobriquet "missabos" (hare) was given to him. 

Louis Beaufort, or Wagash, was one of the most genial habitants 
of the valley in the pre-treaty times. He was much younger than 
Campau, Smith or Reaume, was a friend of each and all, and, 
being s<>, was the peacemaker in the traders' circle. It is recorded 
that, immediately after the treaty of Saginaw was signed, 
Campau and Smith had an altercation which would doubtless end 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 161 

tragically had not Beaufort's calm and gentle reasoning prevailed. 
Ee was one of the seven interpreters employed during the nego- 
tiation of the treaty of 1819. 

Jacob Gradroot, the first white man who made a permanent 
settlement in what was known as Lower Saginaw, married the 
daughter of the fierce Kish-kaw-ko. Gradroot was a German, 
who settled for a time at Albany, N. Y. , and, moving West, found 
a home among the Indians, and a wife in the person of Miss 
Kish-kaw-ko. 

Barney Campau, known among the Indians as Oshkinawe, was a 
iiephew of the first trader. Well fitted for either the chase or a 
trader's life, he whiled away his years in one or other of these 
pursuits, and was looked on by the aborigines as one who would 
not venture to take an advantage in buying or selling. They 
called him the ik young man," and acquiesced in all his proposi- 
tions. His knowledge of French, English and Otohipwe [Ojibway 
or Chippewa] rendered him a very useful man during the nego- 
tiation of the treaty of Saginaw. He was engaged as an army 
contractor in connection with the 3d U. S. Infantry, and in this 
capacity he was present at the signing of the treaty. 

Henry Connor, or Wah-be-sken-dip, was perhaps superior to all 
the traders of that period in disposition and manner. He was said 
to be a man of great muscular strength, possessing a child's 
simplicity, and only prominent where justice should be enforced, 
or some important point carried. He was employed as interpreter 
between IT. S. Commissioner Cass and the Chippewas, from Sept. 
LO to 22. For some years afterward he followed the pursuit of 
trade, continuing to the close to merit the confidence and friend- 
ship of the Indians. Connor was present at the death of 
Tecumseh, Oct. 5, 1818, when James Whitty encountered the 
great Indian and killed him. Whitty and Gen. Johnson, he 
stated, attacked the warrior simultaneously; but the former began 
and ended that part of the battle of the Thames. 

Whitmore Knaggs was among the early white inhabitants of 
the valley. His trade with the Indians was extensive, and so 
conducted that among the many years of his intercourse with 
them, he won their esteem. He was present as an interpreter, 
during the treaty proceedings of 1819, and his rendition of official 
language had much to do in securing the successful issue of the 
negotiations. He was a sub-agent to the Indian agent, and is 
reported to have acted faithfully in that position. 

Antoine Campau, known as Wabos, was a brother of Louis 
Campau, and his successor in the control of the old trading-post 
of Saginaw. In 1826 Antoine became the factor of the post and 
held that position until his interest was purchased by the 
Williams brothers, and they until the traders gave place to the 
merchants. Jean Baptiste Desnoyers converted the post into a 
dwelling-house, and continued to live there until 1862. when the 
old landmark was destroyed by tire. 



162 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Jean Provencal, or Arvishtoia, was the " village blacksmith." 
Possessing good, manly qualities, he endeared himself to his 
white associates, and also to the Indians, for whom he was 
appointed to labor. Indeed, it has been said that this blacksmith 
claimed a much more respectful attention from the traders and 
Indians than was accorded to the other official, Rev. Mr. Hudson, 
a zealous missionary sent into the country by the general 
Government. 

Edward Campau. or Now-o-ke-shick, lost an arm from the acci- 
dental discharge of his rifle. Notwithstanding the rude surgical 
operation, which only the medicine men of that period could per- 
form, he survived and was among the most active and most popu- 
lar trappers. By the treaty of 1819 he was made proprietor of one 
section of land in the neighborhood of Grand Blanc. 

Archibald Lyons was, like many of the white inhabitants of the 
valley, engaged in trapping. He did not, however, dwell within 
Saginaw county as now constituted. During the year immediately 
preceding the treaty of 1819, he passed much of his time around 
the Campau quarters, and there married the beauty of the Indian 
towns, Ka-ze-zhe-ah-be-no-qua. This woman was a French half- 
breed, peculiarly superior to all around her, intelligent and in pos- 
session of principles which would not sanction a wrong. After 
the death of her husband, Antoine Peltier married her, and again 
the post of the Tittabawassee was untenanted. Lyons, while skating 
down to Saginaw to play for a dancing party, fell through the ice, 
and was never seen" again. He was known among the Indians as 
Ai-an-i-kan-o-ta-ged, or the interpreter. 

Gabriel Godfroy, known as Menissid, was a trader from the 
Huron. He was one of the Godfroy family to whom was granted 
the lands where the city of Ypsilanti now stands. His trading 
visits to the Saginaw Indians were made at long intervals; but his 
acquaintance, acquired during his official intercourse with them as 
a sub-agent, was extensive, and consequently when the treaty was 
proposed, he was asked to be present. His name appears among 
those of the signatory witnesses, Sept. 24, 1819. 

John Hurson and William Tuckey were sworn interpreters dur- 
ing the pendency of the treaty question. Like Beaufort, they acted 
well their part, and had much to do in subduing the stubbornness 
of the barbarians. Peter Gruette and Francois Corben, both 
farmers, entered upon the cultivation of garden plats immediately 
after the cession of their lands to the United States. A reference 
to the names subscribed to the copy of treaty will lead the reader 
to a knowledge of the other French and American traders resident 
at Saginaw previous to or during the year 1819. 

Henry NeLon was another Indian interpreter, and a trader 
among the bands of the Saginaw district. He moved with the 
Indians to Isabella and died there a few years ago. 

Louis Mashoue was a native of Montreal, Canada, and at an early 
day was connected with the Northwestern Fur Company. While 
in the employ of that company he was subjected to hardships and 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 163 

privations of every nature. It will be remembered that the North- 
western Company required its employes to carry each 200 pounds, 
a task that few men of our day would accomplish. He was en- 
gaged in nearly every encounter of his company with the Hudson 
Say Company, and in their battles he received several severe 
wounds. After serving 12 years in this company, he received 
an honorable discharge, and soon after came to this county. He 
has been, as near as we can learn, a resident of Saginaw count v 20 
years. For several years past he has had charge of the ferry at 
the upper end of Saginaw City. He was at his post as usual on 
Nov. 15, 1853, and while crossing his scow with a horse and buggy 
aboard, was precipitated into the river by the horse, which became 
unmanageable from fright, and leaped from the scow into the river 
with the buggy, taking with him Mr. Mashoue. It was supposed 
that Mr. Mashoue received a severe blow on the back of his neck 
from the horse's head, and was so stunned as to be unable to 
make an effort for his life, and went to the bottom in about 14 feet 
of water. His body was recovered after about 30 minutes' search, 
but the skill of physicians in attendance could not restore him. He 
was 70 years of age. 

Capt. Joseph F. Marsac was born near Detroit on Christmas 
Day, 1793. He was present on the treaty ground of Saginaw^ in 
1819, in company with the U. S. Commissioner, Gov. Cass, and 
became a permanent settler in the valley in 1838. The title 
1 • ( laptain " was given him during the Black Hawk war, when 
with a party of men he and Capt. Swarthout' went to the front. 
Marsac was the happiest model of the French-American. Genial 
as a man can be, he endeared himself to all. He died a few years 
ago, leaving behind him an honored name. As recently as March 
20, 1878, Marsac Hied an affidavit before Notary Public Win. 
Daglish, of Bay City, explanatory of the treachery which resulted 
in robbing James MeCormick of the magnificent Indian present of 
640 acres of land. He was present at that treaty, in 1837, and 
states under oath that Commissioner Schoolcraft promised that 
that article of the treaty would be faithfully observed by the U. S. 
Government, and upon this assurance the red men signed the 
document. 

Leon Suay, a hunter and trapper of great repute, dwelt in a log 
house, erected by the American Fur Company, which stood near 
the spot where the first school-house of East Saginaw was built, 
now occupied by the Bancroft House. He belonged to the better 
class of French traders, and held the military title of Captain. 
For many years previous to 1840 Captain Suay was favorably 
known to the American pioneers. 

Jack Smith, an improvident trader, visited the valley for the first 
time in 1821. His trading house was established in 1830, north 
of Campairs on the river front. His trade was limited as the 
house in which it was conducted, — a small log house, thatched- 
with salt-marsh grass. He left the country at an early day. His 
property he left unbequeathed. 



164 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Other traders established posts here at a later date, but the 
rapid advance of the cities, under the regime of enterprise banished 
the old-time trading-post and erected on its ruins magnificent 
houses devoted to trade. 

THE GARRISON OF FORT SAGINAW. 

In the treaty paper the names of soldiers and citizens participat- 
ing in that important transaction are given. Here it will be neces- 
sary to notice only the next important military movement in con- 
nection with this county. Early in 1822 it appeared to the Terri- 
torial Government, that their new acquisitions on the Saginaw 
would be utterly worthless unless the articles of the treaty could 
be carried out in full. Owing to the great number of Indians 
then inhabiting the district a civil government would prove as 
mischievous as impolite, particularly as the warriors of the tribe 
were characteristically wild if not savage, and beyond the range 
or power of merely civil government. Aware of this, the Legislative 
Council asked for special powers from the United States, which, 
being conferred, a detachment of United States troops was 
ordered to proceed from, the military outpost of Green Bay en route 
for the treaty ground of the Saginaws. During the first days of 
July, 1822, two companies of the 3d U. S. Infantry embarked at 
Fort Howard for the mouth of the Saginaw river, under command 
of Major Daniel Baker. The command arrived below the present 
location of Bay City, where the men and stores were transferred 
from the transport to canoes and flat-boats for the ascent of the 
river, and the entire command pushed forward to its destination. 
The troops arrived at a point on the river near the location of the 
Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw R. R. depot, July 25, 1822. Disem- 
barking, they marched to the plateau, and pitched their tents 
upon the ground where the Taylor House block now stands. Sub- 
sequently the men raised a block house, surrounded it with a 
strong stockade, and literally built a fortress in the heart of the 
wilderness. 

Notwithstanding all the promises made by the Indians, not a 
few of them looked with jealousy upon the new-comers and their 
labors. A council was held and the designs of the American 
soldiers fully discussed; but the peace party prevailed, and the 
troops were permitted to pursue their operations unmolested, until 
a building defensive and offensive in all its belongings rose above 
the river. The officers of this garrison were: Major, Daniel Baker; 
Captains, John Garland, S. H. Webb; Lieutenants, Otis Wheeler, 
Edward Brooks, Henry Bainbridge, Charles Baker, Wm. Allen, 
and Surgeon, Zina Pitcher. The last named officer joined the 
command in October, while the Surgeon, accompanied by Whit- 
more Knaggs, arrived overland from Detroit on the evening of 
July 25, 1822. The families of Maj. Baker, Capt. Garland, and 
Lieut. Brooks accompanied the command, as also John Dean, sutler; 
Chauncey Bush, Elliot Gray and T. C. Sheldon, army contractors. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 165 

Harvey Williams, John Hamilton, E. S. Williams and Schuyler 
Hodges arrived at the Fort in December, 1822. 

It is related by Surgeon Pitcher that the winter of 1822-'3 was 
very cold, and much snow fell. " When spring came on the rapid 
solution of it caused a great flood in the littabawassee and other 
tributaries of the Saginaw, so that most of the prairie between the 
post and Green Point was under water. The succeeding summer 
was very warm, and the troops, unused to the climate, became 
sickly as early as July, when, late the following fall, they aban- 
doned tin' fort, and moved to Detroit by water, in two schooners, 
one commanded by Capt. Keith and the other byCapt. Walker." 

Before the departure of the troops, in September, 1823, Lieut. 
Charles Baker, a brother of the officer in command, and Lieut. Wm. 
Allen, succumbed to disease. A few private soldiers died within the 
year of occupation, and were buried near the fort. These deaths, 
ami the wane of that esprit d/u corps so necessary for troops, had 
such a detrimental effect that nothing less than removal from the 
district was called for. Maj. Baker, sympathizing with the men 
of his command, reported that " nothing but Indians, muskrats 
and bull-frogs could possibly exist here.' 1 The War Department 
being made aware of this state of affairs ordered the evacuation 
of the post. Of the officers and men who lived to reach another 
station, there are only a few survivors. All have served with the 
U. S. regiment in the Mexican campaign. 

THE AMERICAN FTJR COMPANY 

established a post at Saginaw in August, 1824-, with William Mc- 
Donald as trader. This post occupied the abandoned fort, a 
short distance southwest of Tampan's trading house, where the 
Taylor House now stands. For more than two years McDonald 
transacted the company's affairs, winning for his post an import- 
ant position. In 1827 Eleazer Jewett was the next factor. Pat- 
rice Reaume, of the Tittabawassee post, was put in charge of the 
store at Saginaw; but his irascible qualities opposed the interests 
of the company, and so led to his withdrawal from the Saginaw 
district. He was suceeded by Ephraim S. Williams in L828. This 
early trader employed Jacob Oraveradt, Louis Roy and F. Roy to 
assist him in taking supplies from Detroit. The journey to Sag- 
inaw was duly performed and the company's post reopened. In 
the course of a few years the Williams brothers purchased the 
rights of the American Fur Company, ultimately the interests of 
the Campau brothers, and became the great fur traders of North- 
ern Michigan. During those early years Judge Abbott, of Detroit, 
was the chief factor of the company, and wisely made the appoint- 
ment which resulted so beneficially to his employers and finally to 
the energetic trader whom he sent into this wild territory. 



166 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

TUBLIC ECONOMY REVOLUTIONIZED. 

It was deemed politic by the„ principals of the American Fur 
Company as well as by the Indian, French and American trapper, to 
exert every influence which might have a tendency to turn the tide 
of immigration away from the Saginaw Valley. To accomplish 
this they failed not on every occasion to give woful accounts of the 
country. Such accounts were verified by others who merely saw 
the marsh land bordering on the river. Even the Government 
surveyors seemed to have been carried away with the same idea. 
Relying upon the statements of the trappers, many of them never 
went into the interior, and actually made their plats from the rep- 
resentations of the interested parties. (See pages 68, 69.) Their 
reports were, similar to their plats, fictitious, and it was not until 
1S58 that the Government began to realize the great wrong done the 
district as well as the trick played upon the United States. A re- 
survey was made during that year which resulted in spreading a 
knowledge of the greatness of the forest, valley and the districts 
adjacent. 

In closing this section of the work, it is just and proper that a 
few of the traits of Saginaw's first white visitors and "habitants " 
should be reviewed. The first and perhaps the noblest of those 
traits, was their attachment to that Republic which LaFayette com- 
mended to them. "To be known as a Frenchman," says Hub- 
bard, "was to be known as a patriot." In the times which tried 
men's souls, few parts of the country had more bitter or varied 
experience than the border counties of Michigan. The Frenchman 
was always our reliable and active ally, — cool and unflinching in 
danger, and shrewd and watchful when caution was most needed. 
If a man was wanted for some dangerous enterprise, it was a 
Frenchman who was chosen. Few men survive of the old " habi- 
tants " who were interested and intelligent witnesses of Gen. Hull's 
surrender of the fort at Detroit and with it the whole territory of 
the Northwest to the British arms. As late as 1825 the feeling of 
indignation was still fresh in the hearts of the French population, 
and it would have been a vain attempt to convince one of those 
who witnessed and entered into the scenes of those times, that the 
action of Hull was one of mere timidity or weakness, and not of 
high treason. 

Whittemore Knaggs, well known among the Otchipwas as well 
as by the early settlers, and his brother, James Knaggs, equally 
well known, were among the truest conservators of the Union in- 
terests in the northwest from 1812 to the total expulsion of the 
British forces, and the partial annihilation of their fierce Indian 
allies. Judge Witherell, speaking of this French trapper family, 
says: " Capt. Knaggs was a firm and unflinching patriot in times 
when patriotism was in demand, during the war of 1812. He was 
one of the Indian interpreters, spoke freely six or seven of their 
languages, together with French and English, and exercised 
great influence over many warrior tribes. On the surrender of 



\ 




c^y^z^n^pz , &6&^^/t 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 169 

Detroit to the enemy, he was ordered by the British commandant 
to leave the country, and did so, of course; but joined the first 
corps of United States troops that advanced toward the frontier. 
He acted as guide to the division under General Winchester, and 
mus present at their bloody defeat in the valley of the Raisin. The 
British Indians dis«overed" him after the surrender and determined 
to kill him. There happened to be present an Indian whom 
Knaggs had defended in former years, who resolved to save the 
pale-race at every hazard; but the savages would not listen to him. 
Nothing daunted, however, the brave red warrior placed himself 
between Knaggs and his foes and succeeded in keeping them oft 
for some time, the Indians pressed closer, and as a dernier resort 
the red friend seized Knaggs around the waist, kept his own body 
between him and his enemies and so prevented the repeated blows 
of the tomahawk and war club from taking effect upon the head of 
Winchester's French guide. This means of defense continued un- 
til the Indian sought refuge for himself and his white friend among 
a number of horses which stood harnessed close by. Here Knaggs 
was enabled to avoid the repeated blows aimed at his head until 
a British officer, who was not so savage as his Indian friends, in- 
terposed and saved him from a cruel death." Knaggs survived 
this terrible trial for many years, and rendered good service in 
the negotiation of treaties with the Indians subsequently. His 
services at Saginaw in 1819 cannot be over-estimated. He, with a 
band of Frenchmen, including the extensive Campau family, was 
present and failed not to recognize among the banded red-men 
many of those who sought for his blood a few short years before. 
James Knaggs was present at the death of Tecumseh, and was con- 
sidered one of the most unflinching and honorable supporters of 
the American troops. 

THEIR SOCIAL RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS. 

It is acknowledged that the French character is naturally social 
and capable of ingratiating itself with civilized or uncivilized man. 
It differs from that of the Anglo-Saxon and even the reserved dis- 
position of the Spaniards in so much that it can realize all the better 
qualities of the people it comes in contact with, sympathize with 
their failings, and demonstrate a disposition at once kind and 
genial. Bela Hubbard, who was in the State before innovation in- 
terfered much with the manners and customs of the French occu- 
piers, says: — " I am not aware that intermarriage was very frequent, 
or that this relationship was often entered into by the peasantry of 
this part of Canada. It was common enough at the remoter posts 
down even to times within my personal knowledge. The Indian 
trader, whether Frenchman, Scotsman or Yankee, prompted partly 
by interest, usually took to himself an Indian wife. At such places 
as Mackinaw and Sault Ste. Marie, half-breeds were numerous. The 
class known as voyageurs the coureurs des bois of the older times, 
had become, to a very considerable extent, of mixed blood. The 
11 



170 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

licentious lawlessness of those wildwood rangers was not only well 
known, but was also a subject of much complaint at a very early 
day. Certain it is that in many points there was greater assimila- 
tion between the natives and the people from France than was the 
case with the emigrants from any other country. Between 1836 and 
1840 in the wilderness portion of Michigan and along the large 
streams and channels it was not uncommon to find the solitary lodge 
of a Frenchman, with his Indian wife, and a troop of half-breed 
children. They lived more like Indians than white people." The 
food of this class was corn and grease, with a small supply ofpem- 
mican. 

THE COURETTRS DES BOIS, 

made known to the world by Tom Moore in his "Canadian Boat 
Song," and living prose, were a peculiar set of mortals. Light- 
hearted yet religious; rough in the extreme, yet capable of enter- 
taining and observing the finest feelings of man ;*musical, romantic, 
natural,they conferred on the great lakes and rivers of North America 
a name, which more than any other won for them the early notice 
of the world of the last century. 

The "Mackinac barge" or the " great canoe,'" was their home. 
Throughout the livelong day they sped along plying massive oar 
or paddle, or sleeping upon their freight, while their little vessel 
sailed before some favoring gale. These rude masters of the lakes 
and rivers were peculiarly French. Whether in the storm or in 
the calm, their spirits never drooped; ever and anon the beautifully 
wild chant of the boatmen rose above the rush of the waters, and 
mingling with the music of the winds, charmed those on shore as 
well as banished whatever little care may have brooded over the 
heads of the voyageurs. In early days, before old Fort Saginaw 
gave place to the Taylor House, or the Campau Trading Post fell 
into decay, the songs of the courier des bois were heard on the 
river. To preserve for the future a few of those old songs the fol- 
lowing verses are given: 

Mon pere a fait bati maison, 

Ha, ha, ha, frit a 1' huile, 
Sont trois charpentiers qui la font, 

Fritaine, friton, fritou, poilon, 

Ha, ha, ha, frit a 1' huile, 

Frit au beurre a 1' ognon. 

Sont trois charpentiers qui la font, 

Ha, ha, ha, frit a' 1' huile, 
Qu' apporte tu dans ton giron '? 

Fritaine, friton, fritou, poilon, 

Ha, ha, ha, frit a' 1' huile. 

Qu' apporte tu dans ton giron ? 

Ha, ha, ha, frit a' 1' huile, 
C'est un pate' de trois pigeons, 
Fritaine, friton, fritou, poilon, 
Ha, ha ha, frit a' 1' huile. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 171 

( 'esl unpate' de troistroia pigeons, 

Ha, ha. ha, frit a' 1' huile. 
Ajssied — toi e1 Ie mangeons, 

Fritaine, friton, fritou, poilon, 

Ha, ha, ha, frit a' ]' huile, 

Frit au beurre a' 1' ognon. 

This song could be extended ad infinitum. With the voyageurs 
it was a common thing to go through all its verses on Thursday, 
devoting the entire day to it to the exclusion of all other pieces. 
Another song, known as Young Sophia, was very popular with 
those semi-barbarous men. The original contained four verses, 
with a chorus; but prior to the close of the voyageur period, perhaps 
one hundred more were added, so that the coureurs could have a 
"love refrain" to equal in extensiveness that which occupied every 
"wild Thursday" of their career. The following lines will con- 
vey an idea of their Sophia: 

La jeune Sophie 
Chantait l'autre jour, 

Son echo lui repete. 
Que nou pas d'amour — 
N'est pas de hon jour. 

Je suis jeune et belle 

Je vieux in 1 engage" 

Uu amant fidele 

Je suis jeune Sophie. 

Mais ce vous etre belle, 
Ce n'est pas de jour ; 

Ce n'est que vos yeaux 
Que bris a la chandelle ; 
Mais ce vous etre belle. 

Unisons ensemble, 
Son cour et le rnein, 

Pourquoi tant le defendre, 
Puis qu'il s'amaient bienV 
Unisons ensemble. 

Point temps de badinage, 
Envers mon amant; 
Car il est jaloux: 
Tont lui port embrage. 
Point temps de badinage. 

These with a hundred other songs, were characteristics of the 
olden days; they are now seldom heard, save when a circle of 
French Canadians, gathered round the festive board, look back 
to realize all that their countrymen and the old French pioneer ac- 
complished in opening up this great continent, hi the libraries of 
Paris a collection of the ballads of the Coureur des Bois period is 
in existence, another collection in possession of the Seminarians of 
St. Sulpice in Lower Canada, both of which tell of their vast num- 
ber and strange composition. 



CHAPTER IV. 
PIONEER SOCIETY OF THE SAGINAW VALLEY. 

Over half a century has passed away since the American pio- 
neers began to exercise dominion in this region of country. Those 
years have been full of changes and the visitor of to-day, ignorant 
of the past of the country, could scarcely be made to realize the 
fact that within this comparatively short period, a population 
approximating 60,000 grew up, and now occupy the country. 
These people are as far advanced in all the accomplishments of 
life as are those of the old settlements of the old States. Schools, 
churches, colleges, palatial dwellings, extensive marts, busy facto- 
ries, and cultivated fields now occupy the hunting grounds and vil- 
lage sites of the aborigines, and in every direction there are 
evidences of wealth and progress. There are but few left of the 
old landmarks ; advancing civilization and its demands have tended 
to raze almost every monument of the red-man, to obliterate almost 
every trace of his occupancy. 

Previous to 1819, and for a few succeeding years, the only white 
inhabitants were the Campaus, and the French trappers who made 
his post their home. The treaty attracted a few more white men, 
but not until 1822 did the Americans visit the district with a view 
of occupying it. In 1824 the American Fur Company introduced 
a few more "pale-faces" to the savages, and in less than three years 
the first American settlers visited the land and resolved to make it 
their future home. 

It is not strange that among the pioneer settlers of a country, a 
deep-seated and sincere friendship should spring up, to grow and 
strengthen with their years. The incidents peculiar to life in a 
new country, the trials and hardships, privations and destitutions, 
are well calculated to test, not only the physical powers of endu- 
rance but also the moral, kindly, generous attributes of manhood 
and womanhood. Then are the times that try men's souls, and 
bring to the surface all that there may be in them of either good or 
bad. As a rule there is an equality of conditions that does not rec- 
ognize distinctions of class; all occupy a common level, and as 
a consequence a brotherly and sisterly feeling grows up that is as 
lasting as time. In such a community there is a hospitality, a kind- 
ness, a benevolence, and a charity unknown and unpracticed among 
the older, richer and more densely populated settlements. The very 
nature of the surroundings of these pioneers teaches them to feel 
each other's woe and share each other's joys. An injury or wrong 
may be ignored, but a kind, generous, charitable act is never for- 
gotten; — the memory of old associations and kind deeds is always 

CT2) 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 173 

green. Raven locks may bleach and whiten, round cheeks become 
sunken and hollow, the tire of intelligence vanish from the organs of 
vision, the brow become wrinkled with care and age, and the erect 
form bowed with the accumulating years; but the true friends of 
long ago are remembered as long as memory itself endures. 

As a general thing the men and women who first settled this 
land were bold, fearless, self-reliant and industrious. In these 
respects, no matter from what country they came, there was a 
similarity of character. In birth, education, religion, and language 
there may have been differences; but if they did exist at all, they 
were soon lost by association, and a common interest united all. 

In pioneer life there are always incidents of peculiar interest, not 
only to the pioneers themselves, but also to posterity. It is a mat- 
ter of regret that the old settlers did not continue to hold their an- 
nual meetings, for a record of the reminiscences related at such 
meetings would be the direct means of preserving to the literature 
of the Republic the history of every community. Aside from the 
historic importance of such reunions, they would serve to enliven 
and cement old friendships and renew old memories that might 
have been interrupted by the innovations of progress. In the Sag- 
inaw Valley the pioneers were not slow to observe all that was 
lost to themselves and their new neighbors by the want of an or- 
ganization. In 1873 a movement to organize a society was entered 
upon and proved successful in its results. 

The executive committee of the pioneer society met at the court- 
house in Saginaw City, Jan. 6, 1874, for the purpose of arranging 
the details of a reunion of old settlers. Hon. Albert Miller pre- 
sided, with George F. Lewis, secretary. Moses B. Hess, the sec- 
retary of the society, was absent. The members of the executive 
committee present were W. R. McCormick, J. Blackmore, Geo. 
Davenport, Samuel Shattuck, with the president and acting secre- 
tary. After some discussion, a program for the carrying out of 
the first annual meeting of the society, to be held Feb. 21, 1874, 
was adopted. Geo. F. Lewis, Joshua Blackmore and Geo. Daven- 
port were appointed a committee to provide dinner for the pioneers 
after the annual meeting. Geo. F. vanfleit, Geo. Davenport and 
W. R. McCormick subscribed their names as members of the 
society. 

FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. 

The first regular meeting of the Pioneer Society of Saginaw Val- 
ley took place on Saturday, Feb. 21, 1874, within the court-house 
at Saginaw City. Hon. Albert Miller, who was elected president 
at the meeting for organization, presided, with Moses B. Hess as 
secretary. A constitution and set of by-laws were adopted, after 
which C. W. Grant moved that the names of many pioneers, as 
suggested by Geo. F. Lewis and Joshua Blackmore, should be in- 
serted on the roll of honorary members. This motion was carried, 
and the following named persons were chosen members of the so- 



174 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

ciety: Harvey Williams, E. R Swarthout, Geo. Oliver, Nan-qua- 
chic-a-ming, Judge Eleazer Jewett, Benjamin Cushaway, Sidney 
Campbell, Mrs. A. M. Kichman, Mrs. 8. Bullock, Mrs. E. Koger, 
Mrs. B. Barring, Mrs. Harvey Williams, Mrs. Judge Ure, Mrs. 
H. Miller, Mrs. Orrin Kennv, Mrs. W. Trombley, Mrs. A. Butts, 
Mrs. Noah Beach, Mrs. A. K. Swarthout, Mrs. C. A. Lull, Mrs. 
Albert Miller, Mrs. E. C. Kimberley, Mrs. B. Cushaway, Mrs. 
Judge Jewett, Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Malone, Mrs. Joseph Trombley. 

After the adoption of Mr. Grant's motion, it was resolved to 
hold a meeting Feb. 28, for the purpose of electing delegates to a 
convention of old settlers to be held at Detroit, March 11, to con- 
sider the advisability of forming a State Pioneer Society. 

In the afternoon the literary and social features of the meeting 
were presented. Addresses were delivered by President Albert 
Miller, W. K. McCormick, Charles D. Little, Geo. F. Lewis, C. 
W. Grant and others. The dinner was given at the Taylor House, 
and was, perhaps, the most characteristic dinner party on record. 
Old people met together after years of toil, chatted about the olden 
times and lived the past again. 

The President, addressing the meeting, said: 

''"Fellow Pioneers, Ladies and Gentlemen'. — I am sorry the duty 
of addressing you did not devolve upon some one more capable of 
performing the service acceptably, for the occasion is one that 
might call forth eloquence from one possessed of that gift. As- 
sembled as we are, for a re-union of a remnant of a band of 
pioneers who first settled in the Saginaw Yalley, on this day, 
which is celebrated as the aniversary of the birth-day of the Father 
of his country, who was first in war, first in peace, and first in the 
hearts of his countrymen; who, by the rare qualities of his head 
and heart, and in consequence of' his unbounded patriotism and 
strict integrity, was the main instrument in the hands of an All- 
wise Providence in conquering a powerful foe, and in establishing 
for us a free government, under which it has been possible for the 
institution we planted here in the wilderness to flourish, and the 
growth and prosperity of our beautiful valley within the last forty 
years is a type of the progress of our whole country within the 
last century ._ And what the progress of our valley has been since 
1830, when its whole extent was little more than a past wilderness, 
may be conjectured by comparing the commencement of some of 
our institutions and industries with their present condition. 

"I first became a resident of that portion of the Saginaw 
Yalley which is comprised within the limits of Genesee county, in 
the fall of 1830, shortly before the United States census of' that 
year was taken. At that time Saginaw (which comprised all the 
territory between the Flint river and the straits of Mackinaw) con- 
tained 28 inhabitants who were called white. (There were counted 
some of very dark complexion and of doubtful origin to get that 
number.) What is now Genesee county, which was the only 
remaining portion of the valley that was then settled, had a popu- 
lation of 70. So, then, the Saginaw Yalley had a population of 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 175 

about 100 whites, all told. Forty years after that date, in 1870, 
the six counties over which our society extends, contained a popu- 
lation of 117,706, and estimating for the increase since that time, 
we may safely set the present population down at 150,000, — not a 
had showing: nearly live times the number in all Michigan at* the 
time first mentioned. Within the limits above referred to, there 
are four cities, containing in the aggregate over 50,000 souls, and 
more than 20 villages with a population ranging from 100 for the 
least to 3,000 for the largest. 

' k The facilities for communication between those sparse settle- 
ments, 4o years ago, were not the best that ever were. Such was the 
condition of the road between Flint and Grand Blanc in the spring 
of 1831, when my mother and sisters came to reside with me, that 
I purchased a farm in the last named settlement, to avoid the 
journey through the Grand Blanc woods, though otherwise I should 
have preferred a residence at Flint, and was offered as a gift, one 
acre of land (which includes the present site of the Fenton Block in 
that city) to build upon, if I would settle there and purchase for a 
farm the 80-acre lot, upon which the Thread mills are now located. 
The lot was then Government land. 

" Forty-two years ago last fall, John Todd, Phineas Thompson 
and myself spent two weeks in building bridges and clearing the 
trail of fallen timber between Flint and Saginaw, so as to make it 
possible for sleighs to pass between the two points in winter. All 
communication between other portions of the valley were by Indian 
trails, except on the rivers where the canoe was universally adopted 
as a means of conveyance. There are those present who came 
from Flint to Saginaw by way of the river, being obliged to haul 
their boats and transport their baggage by hand around the drift- 
wood which obstructed the navigation of the stream for a long 
distance. At one time that, by the way of the river, was the only 
mode of travel for ladies, who dare not undertake a journey of 40 
miles through the wilderness on horseback, and the river route 
involved the necessity of camping in the woods one or more nights 
while on the way. But now we can reach the center of either of 
the six counties in a little more than an hour's ride, and in a short 
ride of two hours we can penetrate the regions north and west of 
us, which in the early days of our settlement here, was supposed 
would remain an unbroken wilderness for generations to come. 
But now we can ride in palace cars, the magnificence of which the 
pioneer could have no conception, except by reading a description 
of the palaces produced by the genii of Aladdin's lamp. 

" The means of conveying intelligence from one part of our 
country to another even in the older settled portions of it forty 
years ago, were not what the people of the present day would 
expect them to have been then. In 1830, '31, '32 and '33, 
it ordinarily took about three weeks to convey a letter from my 
home in Michigan to my former home in Yermont, and the same 
time for the return of an answer. I well remember with what delight 
I received my first letter from Vermont, and with what pleasure 



176 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

I perused its contents while sitting on a stump of a large oak tree 
which I had just felled, near the site of the present court-house in 
Genesee county. The letter was handed to me by some person 
who brought it from Grand Blanc, then the most northerly post- 
office in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. That postoffice was 
supplied with a mail from Pontiac once in two weeks. Rufus 
Stevens, the postmaster at Grand Blanc, transported the mail between 
the two points for the proceeds of that office; and notwithstanding 
the fact that he received 25 cents for each letter (delivered from his 
office) which had been carried over 300 miles, and that he had a 
monopoly of all the postoffice business in the Saginaw Valley, in- 
cluding a part of Oakland and Lapeer counties, his compensation 
for carrying the mail was very meager. 

"In making these comparisons I shall not attempt to give sta- 
tistics, but merely call attention to the state of the country as it 
existed ( when the pioneers first'took up their residence in this wil- 
derness), and as it now exists, letting the imagination of my hearers 
trace the wonderful progress that has been made, and contrast the 
few privileges that were accorded to the pioneers, with the many 
that are enjoyed by the inhabitants of the present day. Now 
our postoffice facilities are such that almost every village and ham- 
let in our whole valley has a daily mail, and some of our cities 
have four or five; and instead of paying 25 cents for the convey- 
ance of a letter 300 miles, for three cents a letter is carried across 
the continent, and in less time than some letters had to wait in the 
post-office at Pontiac, for conveyance to Grand Blanc. And beside 
our post-office facilities, we have the electric telegraph (which I con- 
sider the greatest invention of this or any other age) by means of 
which intelligence is flashed with lightning speed from one end of 
the civilized world to the other, and all the important occurrences 
of a day are printed in our daily papers and presented for our pe- 
rusal early on the following morning. Well may the pioneer 
now repeat with wonder the message which the great inventor 
permitted Miss Ellsworth to dictate, for the first one to pass over 
the magic wires, ' What hath God wrought!' 

"I shall next refer to the progress of our educational institutions 
as a subject of primary importance, for without intelligence dif- 
fused among the masses of our people a free government can not 
be obtained, and the earliest pioneers of the valley were alive to 
the importance of educating those who should after them possess 
the land. As early as 1830, or in the summer of 1831, a school- 
house was built in the Perry settlement at Grand Blanc, and one 
term of school taught previous to the winter of 1831-'2. During 
the winter last referred to, I taught about 20 scholars in that 
school-house, who gathered from the settlements around; and that 
I believe, was the second term of school ever taught within the 
present limits of the six counties. 

"In the winter of 1834-'5, I taught school in a portion of the 
old barracks erected, by the soldiers in 1822, which occupied the 
present site of the Taylor House in this city. I had in attendance 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 177 

from 12 to 20 scholars, some of whom were half-breeds; that was 
the first school taught in Saginaw county. For a contrast between 
the past and present you have only to imagine the little dingy 
room, made of hewn logs, where were gathered all the children 
within two or three miles around, to be instructed by one 
teacher, for a few weeks in winter, and then turn your 
eyes toward the windows and behold the temple of science erected 
by one of our cities, at an expense of $100,000, which is fur- 
nished like a palace, and provided with a corps of a dozen or more 
teachers, who are instructing, during 10 months of the year, hun- 
dreds of children from the rudiments to the higher branches of an 
education. 

" Our religious privileges, or the want of them in early days, 
must not be forgotten. There are those present who heard Mr. 
Fraser, then of the Ohio Conference, preach the first sermon that 
was ever delivered in Saginaw. But they are not present who 
sheared his horse's mane and tail as a punishment for boldly 
pivaching against the besetting sin of the place. It was not the 
noi'se that preached the sermon for which he was punished, but the 
minister; but afterward the horse, with his shorn mane and tail, 
preached so powerfully, that I am not sure he did not convert our 
Methodist brother to the doctrine of man's total depravity. 

"It was in 1832 or 1833. that Mr. Fraser was here; he came to 
Saginaw but a few times, and after he left we had no preaching un- 
til 1835, when the Rev. William H. Brockway came and remained 
with us one year. Some who are present will remember him as 
an athletic young man, who, upon his arrival with us, mingled 
freely with the pioneers, and if he saw dram-drinking, or heard 
profane language, he would rebuke the sin in a mild, friendly 
way that would be heeded far more readily than if the offender had 
been denounced with wrath to come. If he was at the raising of 
a building, he was invariably rendering such efficient aid as few 
could bestow. If the farmer was in the harvest field, or at any 
other employment, or if Mr. Brockway was his guest, he was sure 
to be at his side, performing more labor than any other one pres- 
ent (when in the pulpit, I was going to say, but there was not a 
pulpit within sixty miles of him). When preaching, he was bold 
and impressive. He did not mince matters there — and in prayer, 
he was powerful, wrestling with the Almighty for a blessing, seem- 
ing unwilling to let him go until he had obtained it. At that time 
there was no religious organization in the county, and if it was to be 
saved from destruction on the terms awarded to the ' City of the 
Plains,' there were not half enough righteous men to save it. But 
notwithstanding all that, every house was open for a home for Mr. 
Brockway, and he was treated with as much kindness and consid- 
eration as if he had all the time been with his Methodist brethren. 
There was no special revival, or awakening, during his stay; but 
there are those living who believe that a revival which occurred 
on the Tittabawassee years afterward, was in answer to Mr. 
Brockway's prayer, made in that locality. 



178 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

"In 1836 there was a large accession to our population, and 
among those who located here at the time were many good Chris- 
tian people. A Presbyterian Church was organized, which for a 
time was under the pastoral care of Rev. H. L. Miller, and from 
that time there was a marked change in the morals of the place. 
The Sabbath was more generally observed, and many who had for 
years been deprived of the privilege of attending religious wor- 
ship regularly, availed themselves of it then. In 1836 the old 
school-house (which is now a part of the Methodist parsonage) was. 
built, which answered some years for a school-house, church, 
court-house, town-hall, lecture and showroom, etc. Some pres- 
ent will remember with gratitude the team furnished by the late 
Norman Little and driven by Erastus Yaughan, which in winter, 
on Sabbath mornings, would stop at the door of every house where 
the inmates were in the habit of attending meeting, and take them 
to the school-house, and after service carry them all home. 

" In the fall of 1838 there was a revival of religion in a pro- 
tracted meeting conducted by the Rev. O. Parker, who is now, at 
an advanced age, engaged in the work of an evangelist. In that 
meeting there were several conversions, some of whom at that time 
took upon themselves vows of fidelity to their Redeemer, lived to 
adorn their Christian profession by lives consistent therewith, be- 
fore they were called home to receive their reward, while others 
yet remain, waiting for the summons; so that the good work pro- 
gressed, till now we see the church spire pointing heavenward 
from every portion of our valley. We have earnest, intelligent Chris- 
tian ministers instructing the people from Sabbath to Sabbath in 
the way of salvation; and in our Sunday-schools there are thou- 
sands of children receiving instruction in the word of God; fitting 
them for the position (which we hope they will occupy) of Chris- 
tian men and women. 

"In 1834 there was but one saw running on the Saginaw river; 
that was before the day of mulay saws, but the machinery that pro- 
pelled that saw was fearfully and wonderfully made. Charles A. 
Lull was the sash, and I was the pitman. When I was a lumber- 
man, the season's cutting for one saw was estimated at one million 
feet, We fell short of that amount that year; but we did cut 
enough to lay the floor in Mr. Lull's log house that he built on his- 
farm, which is now in the town of Spaulding, and which was the 
first house built in Saginaw county away from the banks of the- 
river. 

"In 1835, Messrs. Harvey and G. D. & E. S. Williams built 
the steam saw-mill just above the foot of Mackinaw street, in this 
city; and so little was known at this time about running saw-mills 
economically, that when they commenced to build their mill they 
contracted for large quantities of cord-wood to be delivered, for 
fuel with which to run it. It is not necessary for me to trace the 
progress of the lumber business from that time to the present, 
when it has attained such enormous proportions. Last year there 
were manufactured in the valley over 619,000,000 feet of lumber,. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 179 

which, in order to give some idea of the magnitude of the busi- 

-. I will say that if the lumber had all been cut into one and 

one-half inch plank, there would be sufficient to lay a walk three 

feet wide around the circumference of the earth, and have 25,000,000 

left. 

"Many who are present to-day will remember the genial, tal- 
ented and now greatly lamented Dr. Houghton, who many years 
ago lost his life while prosecuting his researches in bringing to 
light the hidden riches of the Peninsular State, and who, I believe, 
was the first to adopt the theory and define the limits of our great 
salt basin, which theory has been very nearly verified by subse- 
quent development of facts. You remember also the undertaking 
of the State, under Dr. Houghton's supervision, to develop the 
salt interest, near the mouth of the Salt river, far up the Tittaba- 
wassee; which point Dr. Houghton selected in opposition to his 
better judgment, tearing that in case of a possible failure, if he 
undertook to penetrate the salt rock in the lower part of the valley, 
he would be voted a humbug by the people, and the development 
of one of the great interests of Michigan be indefinitely postponed. 

"The work of sinking a well was prosecuted under many diffi- 
culties till they had reached a depth of about two hundred feet, 
when difficulties incident to such operations occurred at the well, 
which delayed the business till our great State became bankrupt, 
and unable to furnish more money to prosecute the work, and it 
was abandoned, and twenty years passed away before another ef- 
fort was made to penetrate the salt rock of the Saginaw Valley. 
In the meantime other scientific men so fully demonstrated the 
correctness of the theory adopted by Dr. Houghton, that some 
enterprising citizens of East Saginaw determined to penetrate the 
earth, and bring forth the riches that had so long remained be- 
neath its surface. Their enterprise proved a success, as has every 
other one of the same kind that has been undertaken in this part 
of the valley. Last year there was produced over 800,000 barrels 
of salt, for which there was paid to the manufacturers nearly 
11,250,000. 

" The wealth lying beneath our rivers and marshes is greater 
than that of any equal span in the rich State of California. The 
gold placers of California will be exhausted while the wealth be- 
neath us is a perennial spring, which will flow, to enrich the inhabi- 
tants of our valley till the great convulsion which shall overwhelm 
all sublunary things. The commerce of our river must necessarily 
have kept pace with the other material interests of our valley. 
There are those present who remember when the 'Savage,' a 
schooner of 10 tons burden, was the only craft, larger than the 
redman's canoe, that disturbed the placid waters of our beautiful 
river; and two trips of that craft per year was sufficient for all the 
carrying trade of both the white man and red; and the supplies 
that were brought in were in proportion of four barrels of whisky 
to one of pork and two of flour; and sometimes when the vessel 



180 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

was discharging her cargo the people would wonder what would 
be done with so much pork and flour. 

"In the winter ofl847-'8, when the schooner 'Julia Smith,' of 
60 tons burden, was built at Saginaw with a view of trading be- 
tween this city, Detroit and other ports, the people thought we 
were making wonderful progress; and so we were. But let us look 
at the progress made since that date. A' large portion of the hun- 
dreds of millions of feet of lumber and the hundreds of thousands 
of barrels of salt, are exported by water, and the imagination must 
furnish the details of the amonnt of shipping necessary to do all 
this business; for I find I am extending this address beyond the 
limits I first intended, and there are many other matters of interest 
that I would fain have mentioned to-day, but for want of time I 
must defer till some other occasion. 

"We, my fellow pioneers, who have witnessed the growth and 
progress of the material interests of our valley during the last 40 
years, had great anticipations for its future, or we never would 
have been willing to have undergone the privations and hardships 
we did in making this our home; but can one of us put his hand 
on his heart and truthfully say, that those anticipations have 
not been fully realized? And now let us thank our Heavenly 
Father that He has so far permitted us to realize the consummation 
of our earthly desires, and that so many of us are still living to 
enjoy the fruits of our early labors. The material progress of our 
valley will not stop now, the prosj3ect for its future prosperity was 
never brighter than it is to-day; greater manufacturing interests 
other than salt and lumber will soon be ranged along the banks of 
our river, giving employment to thousands, who will hereafter be 
supplied with the products of our soil, which, when properly drained 
and cultivated, will yield such bountiful crops as cannot be pro- 
duced in any other locality in this latitude. 

1 1 But, my fellow pioneers, we will not be here to see the full 
development of all the resources of the Saginaw Valley, for accord- 
ing to the common course of nature, in a few more days or years 
the places that knew us here on earth will know us no more for- 
ever; and may those days and years be so spent that, when the 
summons comes to call us from these scenes, which we have so 
loved and cherished, we shall be ready; having a well-grounded 
hope of meeting our dear ones who have gone before, in the man- 
sions above, where there will be no more parting, where our blessed 
Savior has gone to prepare a place for those who love and serve 
Him." 

REMINISCENCES BY HON. W. R. m'cORMICK. 

" My father removed with his family from Albany, N. Y., to 
Michigan, in the summer of 1832. I was then a boy of 10 years. 
We came by canal to Buffalo. From there we crossed the lake in 
the steamer ' Superior.' My father paid $50 for a steerage 
passage to Detroit, where we arrived the first of August. Detroit 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 181 

was then but a small place, not nearly as large as Bay City is now. 
Here he rented some rooms for his family until he could go into 
the country and lind a location for a farm. By the advice of the 
late John !R. Williams, an old Albanian who was living in Detroit, 
he decided to go to Saginaw. After seeing his family settled, he 
started with my two brothers, Robert and the late James J., for 
Saginaw, with a horse and wagon which we had brought with us. 
It was some time before we heard from them; my mother became 
quite anxious. At length James returned with the horse and 
wagon, accompanied by a young man whose name was Miller. 
This was the first time I ever saw the honored President of our 
society. My father wrote to my mother that he had bought a 
piece of land containing 125 acres, of a Mr. Ewing, a half- 
breed title, on the north side of the river and east of Saginaw 
street, now in the city of Flint, comprising at present a portion of 
the 1st ward of that city, for $125. 

,fc My mother hired a man by the name of Mosher with his team 
to take the family and household goods to Flint river, as it was 
then called. We took our own horse and wagon, and were three 
days in reaching Grand Blanc. We could go no farther with the 
team, as this was the terminus of the wagon road. There was a 
bush road cut on the Indian trail down to the Flint river, by which 
sleighs had gone through in the winter. My mother paid off the 
teamster, and lie returned to Detroit. We here left what little 
household goods we had, and the next morning started for the 
Flint river, my mother and the smaller children riding in the 
wagon, and the rest of us going afoot. We had to cut away the 
brush and trees on each side of the trail to let our wagon pass 
through. It took us all day to reach the Thread, which is one and 
a half miles south of Flint river, and a hard day's work it was, 
although the distance accomplished was but six miles. Here we 
moved into a little log house until my father could build some- 
thing suitable to live in on the place he had bought. With the 
assistance of my brothers he soon built a house on the north bank 
of the river, and on the east side of what is now Saginaw street, 
near w T here the north end of the bridge now is. John Todd lived 
on the south bend of the river, and on the west side of Saginaw 
street. The late Judge Stowe lived about 40 rods below on the 
north bank of the river, in the old Indian trading house of Jacob 
Smith. These three houses constituted what is now the city of 
Flint. 

"After getting his family settled, my father turned his attention 
to securing provisions for the winter. There was plenty of venison 
to be got of the Indians, but there was no pork in that part of the 
country; so he and George Oliver, now of East Saginaw, started 
down the Flint in a canoe for Saginaw, to try to buy some pork, 
and at the same time to see the country. They were gone 10 or 
12 days. They finally bought some pork of a man by the name 
i >f McClelland, I believe. They then commenced their return, and 
od the way up the river camped on the old ' Indian Field,' about 



182 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

seven miles south of what is now Bridgeport Center, and about 14 
miles from Saginaw City by the present road. My father took a 
great fancy to this old Indian field, which contained about 150 
acres, without a stump or a stone and ready for the plow, where 
he could raise enough to support his family. The Indians had 
left years before because the grub worms had eaten on' their corn. 
They said that the Great Spirit had sent them as a curse on the 
land. They therefore left the place, and made new corn-fields 
farther up the river. On my father's return, he told my mother 
that he would sell his place at Flint at the first opportunity, and 
would remove down the river on the old Indian fields, where he 
could raise better and more extensive crops. 

" This year Rufus W. Stevens moved from Grand Blanc to Flint, 
and James Cronk built a log house half-way between the Flint and 
Thread. The late Judge Davenport, of this city, had built a small log 
house near Hamilton's saw-mill, but had left it and removed back 
to Grand Blanc. In this building the first school was started; the 
floor was made of split basswood logs, and the roof was 
made of basswood logs hollowed out, overlapping one an- 
other. In one end was a large stick chimney and a window; 
the rest of the light furnished to that primitive school-house came 
down the chimney. In the rear and on the river bank was about 
an acre of cleared land, an old Indian camping ground. This was 
our play-ground. The scholars consisted of Leander, Albert and 
Zebediah Stevens, Corydon, Walter and Abigail Cronk, Edwin 
Todd, Adaline and Emeline Stow, William K., Ann, Elizabeth and 
Sarah McCormick. The boys, as a general thing, were full of 
mischief and hard on clothes. Our mothers were all visiting one 
day at Mrs. Stevens', and they came to the conclusion that they 
could keep no pants on us, without they dressed us in buckskin 
breeches. The next week six of us came out in our new pants. 
At first we felt very proud of them, but the feeling of pride did not 
last long, for opposite our play-ground there were rapids in the 
river, six or eight inches deep, and in our play we used to catch 
the girls, carry them into the rapids, and dip their feet into the 
water; for we all went barefooted in those days. Sometimes the 
girls would get the best of us, when they would push us into the 
river, buckskin breeches and all. 

" Any old settler knows the effect of water on buckskin, and can 
appreciate how we would look when our pants got dry. They be- 
gan to skrink until they got up to just below the knees. At the 
bend of the knee they stuck out as big as your two fists, but at 
that part, known in strict parliamentary language as the unmen- 
tionables, they stuck out like the hump on a camel's back ; else- 
where they were skin-tight. They called us the buckskin raga- 
muffins. 

"Our teacher was once taken sick, and a young woman who had 
lately come into the place volunteered to teach in his stead; she 
weighed nearly two hundred, had a ' bran new ' calico gown, and a 
high back comb which stuck up about six inches above her head. 




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\ 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 1S3 

( M'tliis she felt quite proud. I recollect hearing the women say 
she was dressed too finely for a school ma'am. She was middling 
tall and looked like a perfect Amazon. She opened the school ami 
said that Bhe understood we were a hard lot of boys, but she was 
going to lay down her rules, and the first one that broke them 
should be punished. She held in her hand a pine stick about 
one and a half inches square and about two feet long, something 
like a policeman's club, but larger. One of her rules was that no 
scholar should spit on that puncheon floor. This was unnecessary, 
a^ we could spit in the cracks, which were two or three inches wide. 
I sat next to the chimney, which, with the hearth, took up about 
one-quarter of the school-room. The boys were all looking at me 
to Bee how I would take the new order of things; so I made a pro- 
digious effort and spit in the fire. This achievement made all the 
scholars laugh. Just in front of the hearth and across the 
room was a low bench for the smaller children, on which there were 
some children at the time. Amazon called me up between this 
seat and the fire-place, and said she would teach me not to disobey 
her orders. She told me to hold out my hand; I did so, and when 
the big stick descended, I caught it and threw it into the fire. At 
that she seized me by the collar, when I gave her a push back. 
Her feet caught against the seat where the little ones sat, and over 
she went, down among the frightened small-fry. I am sorry to 
say that elegant high comb was smashed all tosmithers. She was 
up in a minute, and when she saw the damage that had been done, 
her rage knew no bounds; she caught me by the collar and the 
ampler part of my buckskin breeches and pitched me clear across 
the room, my head striking against the logs on the other side, pro- 
ducing an astonishing astronomical revelation. I never saw more 
stars at one time than suddenly glimmered through those logs. I 
dodged her and ran out of the door. The boys always said they 
knew why my buckskin breeches were enlarged to such extrava- 
gant dimensions, so far exceeding my mothers calculations. I 
waited outside, and in a few minutes the scholars all came out, 
saying the school ma'am had dismissed school. This was the last 
of her teaching; so you see how I graduated with distinction. 

"My father sold his place to a man by the name of Smith, son 
of Jacob Smith, the Indian trader, for six hundred dollars, who 
afterward sold it to Mr. Paine, now of Flint. My father thought 
he had made a great speculation. I understand this property is 
now worth over $200,000. We then moved down the river to the 
Indian field spoken of before, and arrived at that place on the 
second da}', unloading our canoes after dark. "We had no place to 
sleep, but we went to work and built a large fire and made a 
tent of blankets for my mother and the little children. I recol- 
lect a circumstance that night, wiiich made me feel very bad at 
the time, and which I cannot even now recall without a sense of 
pain. My mother was sitting on a log close to the fire crying; 
we asked her what was the matter, she said she had never thought 
she would come to this. — no roof to cover her and her babes, for at 



184 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

that time some of the children were quite small. She had known 
'better times', as they say. My father had been the owner of a 
handsome estate near Albany, and the home over which my mother 
presided was as delightful as any which at that early day 
graced the banks of the noble Hudson. It was a fate that a 
mother's heart could not easily bear, — to see that beautiful home 
sold to satisfy the debts of a ^ew York broker, for whom my fa- 
ther had undersigned; to see the toils of a life-time brought to 
ruin; to see the hopes of the future all struck down by one rude 
and cruel blow, and to turn her face and steps toward the great 
wilderness of the West, there to seek, with such strength as may 
be left, to partially retrieve the fortunes that had been so suddenly 
wasted to redeem another's name and obligations. Hard, hard 
indeed, was it for her when the darkness of that memorable 
night surrounded her in the great forests, and she wept because 
there was no roof to shelter her from the weather! 

"The next morning we all went to work and on the second day 
we had quite a comfortable shanty to live in. We then began the 
construction of a log house, which we soon finished, when we took 
down our shanty and moved into the house, where we lived many 
years. Our first year's crop was excellent. The second year we 
sold 1,000 bushels of corn to the American Fur Co., to be taken 
to Lake Superior for the Indians. The only draw-back we had 
was in converting our grain into flour. A grist-mill had been 
built at the Thread, one and a half miles south of Flint. We had 
to take our grain in a canoe up the river some 35 miles, 
and then get it drawn to the mill and back to the river, and then 
come down the river home. It usually took us four days to go to 
mill and back, camping out every night, and the hardest kind of 
work at that. This work always fell on my brother James and 
myself; for, though a boy, I could steer a canoe, and my brother 
could tow it over the rapids with a rope. Our feet used to get 
very sore walking in the water so much. When winter came on 
it was impossible to go to the mill, as there was no road. So in 
the winter evenings, we all took turns pounding corn in a mortar 
made in the end of a log of wood, sawed about three feet long, 
with a hole in one end to pound corn in, and similar to what the 
Indians used for the same purpose in those days. 

"Many of the old settlers of Saginaw will recollect how in 
coming down the river they would make calculations to reach our 
house to stay all night, without camping out, and how happy they 
were when they got there, for at that time it was the only place 
between Flint and Saginaw where they could stay without camp- 
ing out. 

"''There was nothing but a trail, or bush road, between Flint and 
Saginaw, and part of the year it was impassable, and especially 
for ladies; consequently most of the travel went up and down the 
river in canoes and skiffs. 

"In 1835, my father went back to Albany, his native place, and 
was 11 days in reaching his destination. He considered it a 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 187 

quick passage. This was before the age of railroads. When he 
returned, he brought a mill something like the old-fashioned cof- 
fee-mill, but five times as large. The hopper would hold about a 
peck, and had a handle on each feide. This was a great thing in 
those days, for with it we could grind a bushel of corn in an hour. 
We now threw away the old mortar, and stopped going to mill, 
as we had a mill of our own. This year we had two neighbors, 
and they used to come in the evenings to grind their corn at our 
mill, which was worth its weight in gold to that little settlement. 

"A circumstance happened at this time that I will give, if you 
will have the patience to hear me. My father, being of a poetical 
turn of mind, the day after he came back from the East, sat down 
on the bank of the river and composed the following verses, which 
I have taken from his note book: 

POEM. 

" Down the banks of Flint river, — 

This beautiful stream 
Where rny cottage remains, — 

I've returned home again; 
And who, in his senses, 

Can help but believe 
That this was the garden ; 

Of Adam and Eve ? 

" Here the fields yet remain, 

With the corn-hills in view, 
And the bones we dig up 
, . . Which Cain no doubt slew ; 

And the soil is so fertile 

We can but believe 
That this was the garden 

Of Adam and Eve. 

" Some apple-trees here yet, 

As relics remain, 
To show that a gardener 

Once thrived on this plain, 
And in those fine days, 

Ere a snake could deceive, 
How happy here lived 

Old Adam and Eve ! 

" The natives we saw here 

Were forced from their plain 
By a curse which they say 

Here yet does remain ; 
And in all their looks 

We can plainly perceive 
That these are the descendants 

Of Adam and Eve. 

" Here the cherubim stood 

With their wings widely spread, 
Lest Adam should enter 

And eat up that bread. 
Here the wild sporting deer 

Yet the hunters deceive, 
That once furnished bacon 

For Adam and Eve. 
12 



188 HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

" Here the lofty black walnut 

With its boughs spreading wide, 
And the elm and the haekberry 

Flourished in pride ; 
And a mound 'gently rises, 

Whereon we perceive 
There once stood the altar 

Of Adam and Eve. 

" But far from this place 

Have those characters flew. 
And we bid them a lasting 

And farewell adieu. 
In confidence thinking, 

And still shall I believe 
That this was the garden 

Of Adam and Eve. 

" In 1836 (this was the wild-cat time) the country was overrun 
with persons looking for land; in fact, the people had gone ' land 
crazy.' M} T father's house was crowded with land speculators, and 
as there were only three beds in the old log house, it was neces- 
sary to make what is called a field-bed, before the old-fashioned 
fire-place, that would hold from 10 to 15. On one occasion we 
had got out of flour: so my father started my brother James and 
myself to Saginaw, in a canoe for some. At that time there were 
three drift-woods in the river— one 60 feet, one 35 and one 12 rods 
long. Around these we had to draw our canoe, and carry what 
we had. At Saginaw we purchased two barrels of flour, for which 
we paid $18 per barrel. On our return it commenced raining, and 
rained all day. We paddled till late in the night up the Flint 
river, to find land high enough to permit us to build a tire, dry 
ourselves and lie down. But we did not sleep long, for in the 
middle of the night the water rose so that our camping ground was 
under water. We had to take to our canoe, and sit in it until day- 
light so we could see to go ahead. We soon arrived at the drift-woods. 
Here we had another obstacle to contend with. How to get our flour 
around was a question, as the mud and water was four inches 
deep; and carry the barrels we could not. There was no other 
way but to roll them around in the mud and water. We arrived 
at home that night, with our two barrels of flour covered all over 
with a coating of mud. The next winter my father sold his crop 
of corn to parties in Saginaw, for $1-50 per bushel. As usual 
my brother James and myself drew it down on the ice to Saginaw, 
and got our pay in bills on the Flint Rapids Bank. 

" A few days after our return home, my father started for Flint, 
and found after his arrival that the Flint Rapids Bank was a wild- 
cat concern, and had failed a day or two before. Thus was all our 
hard year's labor gone. In the fall of 1837, my father sent me to 
Saginaw to school. The only school-mates I then had, who are 
now within the jurisdiction of this society, were Michael Bailey, of 
Bay City, and Walter Cronk, of the city of Flint. The rest are all 
gone. I was to board with Major Mosley, and to do chores night 
and morning for my board. Major Mosley lived in one of the 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 189 

old block houses inside the fort. This fort was located where the 
Taylor House now stands, and part of the block east of it. It was 
then the highest ground near the river, but is now graded down. 
Thomas Simpson, alias Sixabogo, also lived inside the fort. I 
believe he has a son living here yet, by the name of John Simp- 
ion. 

"The school-house, if I recollect rightly, stood where the jail 
stands now. I forget the first teacher's name. He had to quit, as 
the boys were too hard cases and ran the school to suit themselves. 
Thomas Simpson, now of California, was the ring-leader. Our 
next teacher was. Horace S. Beach. I understand he is yet liv- 
ing, and is a fanner on the Tittabawassee. Mr. Beach was a kind- 
hearted man, and an excellent teacher. He had a lot of hard boys 
to contend with, but he was equal to the emergency, and soon 
brought order out of chaos. I will relate an incident that occurred 
in the winter of 1838. Walter Cronk was living with his uncle, 
Judge Davenport, and going to school. Walter and I fell out 
about something while in the school-room. He said he would 
whip me when school let out for nooning. So while going out of 
the door, he gave me a kick, which pitched me headlong oft* the 
icy steps. This got my Scotch up, and at it we went. Walter 
was more than a match for me, but accidentally I got my hand in 
his neckerchief, and before he was aware of it, I had blackened 
both of his eyes. He got me down, and was paying me back with 
interest, when the master came out, and marched us both into the 
school-house. He told us then to go home, and he would settle with 
us after dinner; but Walter's eyes looked so bad he was ashamed to 
go home for dinner, and stayed at school. At this time, south of 
where the court-house now is, there was a thicket of blue beeches. 

"I took a hasty dinner, and hurried back to school, where I 
found Walter, and made up friends; but we were, meantime, 
glancing out of the back window looking for the master. It was not 
long before we saw him coming out of the blue-beech thicket, with 
five good-sized blue beeches ;over his shoulder. The boys all 
shouted we would catch it, They need not have told us that, for 
we had found it out before on several occasions. We had learned 
from past experiences what kind of a man we had to deal with. 
The master came in, sat down, and very coolly commenced trim- 
ming his blue beeches. I looked at Walter, and he at me. We 
knew our hour had come. He called the school, and then said: 
'Boys, step forward: I want to settle this little affair!' He wanted 
to know what we had to say why we should not be punished. By 
this time Walter's eyes were swollen so he could hardly see. I 
said I did not think I ought to be punished, for I did not begin 
the fight; and as for Walter, judging from the looks of his eyes, he 
had been punished enough already. 'Well,' says the master, 'I 
have a proposition to make. You see those whips, and you see 
those six cords of maple wood at the door; you can cut that wood 
at recess or noon-times, or settle things now!' I did not like the 
idea of 'settling things now;' I had tried that before; so I said I 



190 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

would cut the wood. Walter partly concluded he would ' settle 
things now;' but on second thought, as the master held up one of 
those blue beeches, with the remembrance of past experiences, he 
concluded to help saw the wood. My father had sent an Indian 
down the day before to tell me to come home, and help with the 
spring work. At recess that afternoon, we commenced our job on 
the six cords of wood, I sawing and Walter splitting, while the 
boys all stood around laughing at us. That night I got Thomas 
Simpson to bring my books out of school, and the next morning I 
started for home with the Indian. Some two months afterward, I 
came down to Saginaw. At noon-time I thought I would step 
over and see the boys. There was Walter sawing wood. He said 
he had jumped the job three or four times, and every time he had 
got a whipping. Finally he had concluded to finish it up. 

"A few years ago, I was talking with an old friend in the city of 
Flint, and he said, ' Have you seen Walter Cronk?' I replied, 'No; 
not in over 25 years!' ' There he is now,' he said, ' coming up the 
street. See if he will know you. ' When he came up, my friend 
said, ' Walter, do you know this man?' He looked at me a mo- 
ment, and said, ' Yes. He made me saw six cords of wood over 
30 years ago, and I got three whippings besides.' Walter and I 
have been, and continue to be, the best of friends ever since our 
school-boy fight nearly 40 years ago. 

" In the winter of 1837-8, Mr. Beach, the school-master, very 
kindly offered to teach us to sing, evenings, if we would get up a 
class." We accordingly formed a class of 12 scholars, six girls and 
six boys. Among the girls was one whom I will call Sally. She 
was homely, her parents were very poor, and she could not dress 
as well as the rest. As a consequence, she was very much slighted 
by the rest of the girls. It was no more than gallant that we 
should see the girls home after school, but none of the boys 
wanted to go home with Sally. The first two or three evenings 
she went home alone. This we thought would not do; so we agreed 
to go out in the hall and draw cuts, to see who should go home 
with Sally; and I was the unlucky individual. We continued to 
draw cuts, and four times out of five it fell to my lot to go home 
with Sally. At last I began to think Sally was not so bad-looking 
after all. Then I told the boys I did not care to draw cuts ^ any 
more; that I would take care of Sally. Sally is now one of the 
most highly respected ladies in the Saginaw Valley, and is at the 
top of the ladder, while most of those who felt themselves above 
her are at the bottom. 

"My father continued to live in what was called the 'Garden 
of Eclen ' until 1841, when he and my brother James J. bought 
out Capt. B. K. Hall's interest in the ' Old Portsmouth steam- 
mill, ' formerly built by Judge Miller and others. Captain Hall 
had been for many years of his life commander of a packet ship 
on the ocean ; thinking that he could make his fortune lumbering, 
he removed to Portsmouth, but because of hard times and want of 
experience, he lost all his property. He sent his family back to 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 191 

Cambridgeport, Mass., and remained all winter with my father 
settling up his affairs. He was of a pious turn of mind, full of fun, 
especially with children, and had seen much of the world. My 
little brothers and sisters became very much attached to him dur- 
ing the winter he lived with us. Many of the old settlers recollect 
Capt. Hall. With your permission, I will read you a letter from 
my father to Captain Hall, after he had returned East and taken 
command of his vessel: 

old snip. 

" On Eden's garden yet we live, 
Where Providence us plenty give ; 
I say, my children, sileuce all; 
I'm going to write to Captain Hall. 

" Last winter he was here, you know. 
And in the summer off" did go ; 
Don't you yet mind him, children all ? 
You used to play with Captain Hall. 

" He was as busy as a bee. 
And much we loved his company; 
And from my children tears yet fall, 
When thinking back of Captain Hall. 

" He made our fires and sung his song, 
He charmed the hearts of old and young ; 
The time seems long to us, one and all, 
Since he's departed, Captain Hall. 

" On Saginaw river he did stay — 
A steam-mill ran there many a day ; 
And when he spent his money all. 
We bid adieu to Captain Hall*. 

" And now he's left this wild country, 
To sail again the stormy sea; 
May Providence, who guides us all. 
Make smooth the path of Captain Hall. 

" Now, to your lady I'll resort : 
May she live long in Cambridgeport; 
And comfort take with children small. 
And fold her arms round Captain Hall. 

" By this time you will plain discover, 
My letter's full and running over; 
My children join me, one and all, 
In sending love to Captain Hall. 

"Soon after this my father removed to Portsmouth, and, with my 
brother James, commenced the manufacture of lumber. This was 
the second mill built on the Saginaw river. My father shipped the 
first cargo of lumber that ever went out of the Saginaw river. It 
would run 60 per cent uppers, and he sold it at Detroit to the late 
James Busby, brother-in-law of the late James Fraser, for eight 



192 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

dollars per thousand, one-third down and the balance on time. The 
vessel was the w Old Coneant Packet, 1 Captain George Roby, and 
the cargo consisted of 40,000 feet. Clear lumber was then selling 
at the mill for $10 in store trade, as there was no money in 
the country. So, you see, lumbermen did not get rich in those 
days. They only opened the way for those who came after them 
to make their fortune. 

"The early pioneers came into the valley too soon to get rich. 
But then again, what would our beautiful Saginaw Yalley have been 
to-day but for the perseverance, privations and hardships of those 
early pioneers ? I see about me only a few of them left, and in a 
few years none of them will remain to tell their children of the 
sufferings they have passed through, and of which the present 
generation are reaping the benefit. 

"I look back with pleasure on some of the earlier scenes of my 
life; for truly we were a band of brothers in those times that tried 
men's souls. If one had a barrel of flour it was divided with the 
others. No one was allowed to want what another had. Would 
to God the present generation might take counsel by the past, that 
they might profit in the future! I am happy to meet the old pio- 
neers here to-day. Our band is small, and in a few years its last 
member will have passed into the remote and unknown land of the 
hereafter. We have seen this wilderness made to blossom as the 
rojse; another generation has usurped our places. The crowded 
iron pathway of American civilization has taken the place of the 
unfrequented Indian trail. School-houses and churches stand 
where once were only the wigwams of the savage, and the lairs of 
the wild beast. 

"Our work is done. It was a humble work. The pioneer's name 
never shines among the brilliant and illustrious names on the 
historic page. He is only a pathfinder, carrying the torch of dis- 
covery into the wilderness ; yet without him civilization is impossible. 
Those busy manufacrories that to-day line the Saginaw river; those 
beautiful church edifices that crown our prosperous towns; those 
magnificent school buildings, that stand as the proudest and best 
monuments of modern civilization, — these are all the fruits of our 
work into which Other men have entered. Let us be content to 
leave our work, knowing that for the day and the place it has been 
well done. May this rich country, that we have helped to reclaim 
to civilization and human happiness, be ever guided in affairs of 
business and State by a higher wisdom and a no less sacrificing and 
unselfish spirit than that which in the rude and sparsely settled 
wilderness governed the pioneers of the Saginaw Yalley!" 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, BY C D. LITTLE. 

Captain Anthony It. Swarthout, the subject of this short sketch, 
was born in Seneca county, New York, in 1796, where he resided 
with his parents until his marriage with Miss Hannah Rose, of the 
some place, in 1816. About this time Capt. Swarthout, having heard 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 193 

much of the Territory of Michigan, resolved to risk his all in what 
was then called the "Far West." After a tedious journey of weeks, 
he reached Washtenaw county, and commenced his Territorial life 
ae a farmer. He was one of the pioneers of "Washtenaw county, 
in clearing the almost unbroken forests of that portion of the State. 
At that period railroads were hardly known in the United States, 
and telegraphs had not been dreamed of. Communication with the 
State < >f New York took weeks where now minutes suffice. The only 
means of transporting goodsand family stores was the "ox team,', 
and tin: " log cabin " furnished shelter to those who dared to brave 
the privations incident to the opening up of a new country. 

At this time, Gen. Lewis Cass, a warm and personal friend of 
Capt. Swarthout, was Governor of the Territory. While living in 
Washtenaw county, the difficulties between the settlers and the 
Indians culminated into what is known as the "Black Hawk war." 
('apt. Swarthout was among the first who volunteered his services 
in defense of the settlers and Government; was enrolled in a 
company of riflemen, known as "Minute Men," and remained in 
the service until the troops were discharged. In July, 1835, having 
heard of the Saginaw Valley, the abundance of game of all kinds, 
and being fond of hunting, he ventured through the unbroken wilder- 
ness between Ann Arbor and Saginaw. Arriving at the latter 
place, perceiving its advantageous location, and finding such ex- 
cel lent farming land in the immediate vicinity of the city, he de- 
termined to make it his future home. He returned to his family 
in Washtenaw county, disposed of his property there, and in Sep- 
tember of the same year he moved through the woods to Saginaw, 
an undertaking then much more beset with difficulties than a jour- 
ney to California is to-day. At the first township meeting held in 
Saginaw, the spring after his arrival, there were 17 votes polled 
At that time Saginaw township embraced almost the entire terri- 
tory of Saginaw. Tuscola, Bay, Midland and Gratiot counties. 
He was, at that meeting, elected one of the township officers, and 
has, since that time to the present, a period of nearly 40 years, 
tilled some one of the township offices. He has several times been 
elected supervisor, 16 years of the time has been highway com- 
missioner, and with the assistance of Abraham Butts, another early 
settler, laid out and established most of the public highways of 
Saginaw, Bay and Tuscola counties. For 14 years he has held the 
office of township clerk, of Saginaw township. In all public po- 
sitions, whether as supervisor, commissioner or clerk, his unbend- 
ing integrity and sterling worth have commanded the universal 
respect of his fellow townsmen. 

Captain Swarthout had a family of seven sons and five 
daughters. Eight of these children, with the exception of 
one daughter, reside in Saginaw county. And now, after more 
than filling the measure of time allotted to man, with his 
aged and amiable wife, who has shared "with him all the hard- 
ships of pioneer life, he has seen fulfilled his anticipations of the 
growth of Saginaw, while the majority of his children are spared 



194 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

to him with their own children, comfortably settled immediately 
about them. Abundantly supp lied with this world's goods, a liv- 
ing record of the early events of Michigan colonization, he among 
the few pioneers of Michigan, still lives , 

" Only waiting till the shadows 

Are a little longer grown ; 
Only waiting till the glimmer 
Of the day's last beam is flown." 

May he still be spared, and may his last days be as pleasant as 
his whole life has been honorable! 

HAKVEY WILLIAMS. 

Harvey Williams, son of Oliver Williams, was born at Concord, 
Mass., in 1774. In 1808 he visited Detroit, and after prospecting 
for a time returned to Concord. He visited Detroit again in 1809, 
and remained until 1811, when he concluded to engage in busi- 
ness. He proceeded to Boston, and procured a general assortment 
of merchandise of the value of $10,000. Alpheus Williams, a 
brother-in-law of Oliver, became his indorser for the purchase at 
Boston. While these goods were being transported from Buffalo 
to Detroit, they were seized by the British Government. Mr. 
Williams was made a prisoner and conveyed to Halifax. After 
being confined at Halifax for a number of months, he was released, 
and returned to Detroit. Oliver Williams did not remove his 
family — which consisted of four sons and four daughters — until the 
year 1815. 

Being a man of the strictest integrity, determined that his brother- 
in-law should lose nothing by his indorsement for him, and though 
he had lost everything, he told Alpheus he would and could, if his 
life and health were spared for a few years, accumulate enough to 
pay every dollar of the 10,000. With this honest purpose in view, 
in a new county, but with indomitable will and unswerving integ- 
rity, he commenced the herculean task of raising $10,000. This 
situation — with a large family of children to support, the eldest 
only 13 years of age — would have disheartened most of men, but not 
Oliver Williams. By strict economy and untiring effort he suc- 
ceeded, and in a few years paid every dollar of the debt. 

The sons and daughters of this man are well remembered by the 
older settlers of Northern Michigan, and have been prominently 
instrumental in developing its resources. EphraimS., better known 
as Major Williams, is now a resident of Flint; Gardner D. became 
a resident of Saginaw City, and died in 1858; Alfred and Benjamin 
O., are now residents of Owosso; Mary Ann, who married Schuy- 
ler Hodges, is now a resident of Pontiac, while Alpheus and 
Harriet, now Mrs. Rogers, live in California. 

In 1815 Oliver induced Alpheus to remove from Concord to 
Detroit; and this brings us to speak of Harvey Williams, better 
known throughout the Saginaw Valley as "Uncle Harvey." He 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 195 

is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of the Yankee pioneers to 
Detroit now living, as he came with his mother to that city in IS 15. 

From Concord, Mass , to Buffalo, N. Y., the journey was accom- 
plished by wagon, from Buffalo to the mouth of Detroit river on a 
schooner of 40 tons burthen, called the " Salem Packet;" the 
master, or captain, of the "Packet" was Eber Ward, father of 
Capt. Eber B. Ward, now of Detroit. It required 13 days to make 
the trip from Buffalo to the Detroit river. At this point the "Packet" 
was detained by contrary winds. Mr. Williams' father chartered 
a cart, and had his goods carted to Windsor, opposite Detroit, 
from which point they were ferried over in a dug-out. In those 
days moving was a rather rough experience. Mr. Williams paid 
$15 each for passage from Detroit, and $5 per barrel bulk for the 
goods. 

At this time Benjamin Woodworth kept the chief tavern in 
Detroit. It was not a very extensive establishment, but was 
enlarged from time to time, and, under the good management of 
"Uncle Ben," obtained great reputation as "Uncle Ben Wood- 
worth's Steam-boat Hotel." For years it was the headquarters of 
steam-boat men, after steamers began running on the lakes. It 
was situated on Woodbridge street, immediately behind where the 
Firemen's Hall now stands. Oliver Williams kept a tavern of 
less pretensions on Jefferson avenue, under "the old elm tree," 
and another tavern was kept by the father of the late Judge C. W. 
Whipple, down near the Cass farm. These were at that period 
the hotel accommodations of the village of Detroit, then contain- 
ing about 1,000 inhabitants. "Emerson, Mack & Conant " was 
the leading mercantile house in Detroit at that time. The firm 
was composed of Thomas Emerson, father of Curtis Emerson, 
Esq., of East Saginaw, Stephen Mack and Shubel Conant. They 
kept a general assortment of dry-goods, groceries, crockery and 
hardware. Henry J. Hunt, Abel May, Edward and John S. 
Krebel also sold goods, but did not carry as heavy stocks as Emer- 
son, Mack & Conant. All these merchants were in the habit of 
issuing what were called "shin-plasters," which passed as the 
"legal tender" of the country. 

James Abbott was the agent of the American Fur Company, 
whose "headquarters " for the West were at Detroit ; he was also 
postmaster. The mails from the East were very irregular. It 
often took four weeks or more for a letter from New England to 
reach Detroit, and the postage was 25 cents. 

Gen. Lewis Cass, Messrs. Larned, Ten Eyck, Witherell, For- 
sythe, John and Thomas Palmer, and Judge Woodward, who 
afterward made the plat of the city, were among the prominent 
men of the Territory. 

In the same year (1S15), " Uncle Harvey" commenced black- 
smithing on the ground where the Russell House now stands, 
making steel-traps, axes, and doing general custom work for the 
inhabitants ; there was only one other shop of the kind in Detroit, 
which was owned bv a Frenchman named relky. 



196 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

"Uncle Harvey's" business increased rapidly; he soon added 
a small furnace to liis shop and commenced casting plows ; when 
his business increased so that he cast three plows a day the fact 
was published as an evidence of the " great progress Detroit was 
making in her manufactures! " 

The coal used for melting the iron was charcoal, and the blow- 
ing was done by a single horse. Mr. "Williams 1 business grew 
from year to year, until it reached $100,000 yearly. He pur- 
chased and set up the first stationary steam-engine ever used in 
the Territory of Michigan. Pie built for J. K. Dorr and C. C. 
Trowbridge the first steam-engine for the first steam-mill in Michi- 
gan, and his last work in his shop at Detroit was the building of 
the two steam-engines for the old steam-boat "Michigan." 

Mr. Williams changed his location twice while in Detroit. He 
removed from the Russell House lot to the ground now occupied 
by the D. it M. R. R. Co., and from that to the triangle lot on 
Cass street, Jefferson avenue and Woodbridge ; here he purchased 
105 feet front for $105. Mr. Williams says that the first circus 
performance ever given in Michigan, and which he considers the 
best, was in the middle of the street, between where the Biddle 
House now stands, and the old jail that used to stand on the north 
side of Jefferson avenue, opposite the Biddle House. 

Mr. Williams furnished all the iron work for the first substantial 
jail that was ever built in Michigan, and he has now in his pos- 
session the contract in which they furnished to him the iron. — 40 
tons, at IT cents per pound. He did the iron work on the first 
Presbyterian church, erected on the corner of Woodward avenue 
and Larned street, in 1818, and also for the French Catholic church, 
which was commenced the same year. 

With his stationary engine he pumped the water for the in 
habitants of Detroit. The reservoir was situated on Fort street 
west, between the former residence of Gen. Cass, now owned by 
Gov. Baldwin, and the City Hall; and it is worthy of note that a 
three-inch pipe was sufficient capacity to furnish all the water used 
at that time. The city paid Mr. Williams $500 per annum for the 
pumping. 

Late in the fall of 1822, Major Whitney, United States Quarter- 
master, stationed at Detroit, was desirous of getting supplies 
through to the troops, then stationed at Saginaw City. Knowing 
the determination and indefatigable perseverance of Uncle Harvey, 
and realizing the exceeding difficulty of getting the supplies 
through, but thinking if anyone could succeed it would be " Uncle 
Harvey," he approached him on the subject. With great re- 
luctance, and after much persuasion "Uncle Harvey" con- 
sented to make the trial. Calling to his assistance the late 
John Hamilton, of Genesee county, the journey was under- 
taken, and accomplished. After eight days 1 hard labor they suc- 
ceeded in carrying 80 cwt. of supplies from Detroit to Saginaw. 
In doing so they were obliged to ford the Clinton river five times, 
the Thread, Cass and Flint rivers, as well as Pine and Elm rivers. 



HISTORY OF SAi.lXAW COUNTY. 197 

Their success was fortunate for the poor soldiers; for when the 
Bupplies arrived they were almost famished, having been without 
rations t'<>r two days. 

This incident is mentioned because it was at this time that 
" Uncle Harvey " formed — from conversation with the officers — 
the opinion that at some future time Saginaw would become one of 
the important points in Michigan. 

After his return to Detroit, and for 12 years, he thought much 
of Saginaw, but not until 1834 did he see his way clear to taking 
up his residence in the Valley; and when he did determine to 
move there it required more than ordinary courage to try living in 
a wilderness, 40 miles from civilization. 

OpOD his arrival at Saginaw, his first work was the erection of 
the steam saw-mill which was situated at the back of Mackinaw 
street, in Saginaw City, and will be remembered as the " G. D. & 
E. S. William's mill," and was the first steam saw-mill erected in 
the Saginaw Valley. Afterward, a run of stone was added to the 
mill, which was used to grind corn. In 1836 and '37, Mr. Wil- 
liams built the steam saw-mill which for a number of years was 
called the " Emerson mill," and was located on the present site of 
the East Saginaw Gas Compa ny' s works. This was the mill of its 
day. It was managed by H. Williams until the disastrous crash 
of 1837. Those of the Saginaw pioneers still living remember the 
result of that panic. Hundreds of workmen hitherto constantly 
employed at the highest wages ever paid to their class, were 
thrown out of work. Paper currency, which up to that time was 
considered as good as gold, became worthless, and could hardly 
be sold at any price. The result was, that those who could "went 
through the woods," a familiar expression used for taking the 
Indian trail to Flint, which was the only road out of Saginaw at 
that time. Thus Saginaw became almost depopulated. 

Those were days that tried men's souls; but " Uncle Harvey's" 
faith in the ultimate prosperity of Saginaw was not shaken. Al- 
though he went down in the general crash, he did not become dis- 
honored, but with the heroism still characteristic of him, he 
determined "never to give up" until he had seen the full realiza- 
tion of his hopes concerning the Saginaw Valley. 

The ' ; little steam saw-mill " at the foot of Mackinaw street did 
all that was required of it in its day; the "Big mill " at East Sagi- 
naw: the •• Model Mill" of 1837, when finished was supposed to 
be equal to — indeed far beyond — anything that would ever be 
required, and some were wise enough to pronounce Mr. Williams 
foolish in the extreme for thinking that the full capacity of that 
" big mill " would ever be tasked in supplying the demand for 
lumber. If those wise ones could look at the mills on the Saginaw 
river to-day, and the hundreds of millions of feet of lumber turned 
out by them, they would acknowledge their own short-sightedness, 
and the wisdom and judgment manifested by Uncle Harvey in his 
prophecies of the future of the Saginaws. 



198 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mr. Williams removed to the Kawkawlin river in 1842, and 
remained there until 1864. During the 20 years he remained 
there he was extensively engaged in the fisheries at the mouth of 
the river in the spring months of the year, and in the summer and 
fall months his operations were extended down the Bay and Lake 
Huron. During the winter his business relations with the Chip- 
pewa Indians were extensive, amounting in the aggregate to 
hundreds of thousands of dollars. No man ever possessed the 
confidence of the Chippewa Indians to the same extent that Uncle 
Harvey did, and, certainly, no man was ever more generous and 
kind to them. 

Fifty-nine years in Michigan! Few, but very few men can say, 
with "Uncle Harvey," that they have seen the infant in the cradle 
grow up to the full stature of manhood as he has seen "our beautiful 
Peninsular State " grow. How little was known in 1815 of the 
vast mines of wealth that lay buried beneath her surface! Who 
then ever dreamed that Michigan would successfully compete with 
the whole world in copper and iron? Who then imagined that the 
Saginaw Valley would turn out more lumber than any other point 
in the country? Nevertheless, " Uncle Harvey " has lived to see 
all this. 

Energy is still manifested in all that he does, and he bids fair to 
outdo many men whose years do not number one half of his. 

Mr. Williams was married to Miss Julia Fournia, in 1819. The 
lady is still living. 

The following letter was read by Mr. George F. Lewis from 
Townsend North, of the Tuscola Pioneer Society. 

Vassar, Mich., Feb. 19, 1874. 
M. B. Hes>8 y Esq : 

my dear sir: — Your circular letters of invitation to the pioneers of our county 
came to hand to-day. I will distribute them, and would be pleased to attend your 
meeting, but fear I will be unable to atteu<1, as I would be pleased to meet with 
the early settlers, — men that conquered difficulties, endured privations, and now 
live to enjoy the fruit of their labor, and to congratulate each other on the im- 
provements and changed condition and developments of the entire valley. 

I came to Flint in 1845, made my first visit to Saginaw City that summer or 
fall with a full load of the legal profession, Judge Whipply, William Fenton, E. 
H. Thompson, A. V. Thayer. A. W. Davis and James McKabe (of Pontiac). They 
went there to hold court. I think they did up the work in one day. What a 
contrast ! There was no East Saginaw then. Good pasture in the streets of Sag- 
inaw, where you now have the Nicholson pavement. Court calendar cleared in 
a day. Now your courts are nearly perpetual. Two years after, I made my first 
trip to Lower Saginaw, as it was then called, in two little dug-outs lashed to- 
gether. Two Indians composed the crew, and I the only passenger, sitting flat 
in one of the little canoes, with my hands on each side of the little craft with my 
fingers in the water. Now you have two railroads, and your river, during nav- 
igation, alive with steam and sail. 

What a change has come in a few short years! The rich resources of the val- 
ley are being made known, and the Y ankees and co-workers from Oregon to 
Maine, and from Maine to Faderland, have taken the key-note and checked their 
baggage for the valley that teems with life and lumber and salt, sufficient to 
pickle a nation. 

Yours truly, 

T. North. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 199 

RECORDS, MEMENTOES, ETC. 

A leaf from the note book of a pioneer of 1836, which was truly 
interesting, was read by G. F. Lewis, as follows: 

" AN EXTRACT FROM THE NOTE BOOK OF A PIONEER OF 1836, PRE- 
SENTED BY MRS. A. M. RICHMAN. 

******* April 24, IS 70— burned— The building 
formerly owned by the late James Fraser, known as the old Block 
House, an ordinary casualty ot not much note; but to some of 
us old residents the memory of that old block house and its sur- 
roundings are pleasant as the echo of music in our youth, for we 
are now old, our hair is whitened by the frosts of many winters, 
but more with the sorrows that hare fallen upon us when our 
hopes were the brightest, our love of the strongest. 

"In the summer of 1S36 a party of gentlemen on board the old 
steamer "Gov. Marcy," made the first trip ever made by any steam- 
boat on these waters, to old Fort Saginaw, the present site of Sag- 
inaw City, where years before Dr. Little, of Avon, N. Y. , with many 
others, made large purchases, with a far-seeing eye to the future of 
this valley, which was felt by them to be only a question of time; 
among the passengers on that steamer were Norman Little and 
Charles L. Richman, who were then prospecting, with a view of 
permanent settlement. They found a few white settlers here, who 
gladly gave them the right hand of fellowship. Among them 
were G. D. and E. S. Williams, with their families, Mr. Jewett 
and family, Judge Davenport, James Fraser, Mr. Busby, Butts, 
Bullock and Barber, Tibbetts, McCardell, Spare, Gotee, Mosely, 
Maiden, Hayden, Stevenson, Hill, Simpson, besides a few others 
who passed from memory. Under the firm of Charles L. Richman & 
Co., a mercantile business was established; made large contracts 
for building, then returned for their families; we took a last,linger- 
ing look at our dear old home in Canandaigua, aptly called " Sleep- 
ing Beauty." bade adieu to the friends of childhood, youth and 
young married life; gave up the blessings of our well beloved 
Church privileges of an advanced society; embarked at Buffalo on 
steamer "Gov. Marcy" for Saginaw, leaving as we then thought all 
that was desirable in life, save the novelty (Robinson Crusoe like) 
of making a new home in the wilderness. Among the emigrants 
wereT. L. Howe, of Genesee, N. Y.,with a large hardware stock, 
with Cynthia the long, B. Hammet, William L. P. Little, L. M. 
Collum, with many others, as the little steamer was heavily la- 
den with human freight. We had a pleasure -trip to Detroit (then a 
small village), but meeting with rough weather in Saginaw Bay, were 
obliged to put back to St. Clair three days. . We improved and en- 
joyed it in rambling about the beautiful region, visiting Fort Gra- 
tiot, and so on; when efforts were again made to reach the 



200 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

tempestuous bay we succeeded and arrived at old Fort Saginaw? 
the ' embryo city,' on Saturday morning, Oct. 1, 1836, in a drizzling 
rain, amid the cheers of the assembled multitude — and the wav- 
ing of a table-cloth, which to us, who came up on the last day on 
an allowance of pork and hard tack, was at least suggestive. 

"We were very kindly and hospitably received and entertained 
by Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Miller, who had been here a short time: 
came down the Flint river in a canoe. Things in general seemed 
the newest of the new and the prospect was dreary in the extreme; 
but then we reflected on poor 'Robinson' and took heart and went 
into the store to write back my 'first impressions' and met my old 
friend Peyton R. Morgan, of Avon. He thought I had better wait 
till the w sun shone' before writing; but I didn't. They preserve 
that letter home as a gem of the West. 

"The question now arose. Where were we all to find shelter? Very 
fortunately, yea, a kind and over-ruling Providence, sent us to that 
same old block house, and to the kindness, friendship and unwea- 
ried attention of Maj. Mosely and his dear wife. The morning 
after our arrival, which was Sunday, a good part of our colony 
met at the house of H. L. Miller, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister. He assisted us in returning thanks to our loving Father for 
our safe passage after our many perils. It was thoughtful and 
kind in him to suggest and carry out the religious services. It 
formed a bond of union between us all that has never been dissev- 
ered. The old block house stood inside the fort, partially sur- 
rounded by the original pickets. But few buildings left of the old 
fort; this the best; they were all occupied as were every available 
nook and corner, even to standing boards from the pickets, as we 
when children made play-houses. One of the buildings was used 
as a hotel, kept by Mr. Tibbets, with the modest name of Saginaw 
City Exchange. That same old block house has welcomed many a 
pleasant gathering, for they were the very souls ofhospitality, and 
the way we feasted on wild game, on trout, sturgeon and white 
fish, which were brought from the Bay — corded as they do wood! 
Cranberries were so plenty that vessels on their return trips were 
ballasted with them. Neither did we sweeten them with Indian 
sugar — ah, no! 

"During the ever remembered and pleasant winter we passed in 
the old block house, there were many arrivals in town, so that our 
society was good and intelligent, and, as in our isolated condition 
we were very dependent on each other for our mutual comfort and 
happiness: the memory of that winter is a 'green spot.' On the 
1st of January, 1837, we introduced the Eastern style of calls — 
with 'hot coffee and cake.' The calls were not so numerous as to 
be oppressive, although the constant repetition gave a sameness. 
The gentlemen had a sleigh, and as they laughingly expressed it, 
they 'called and returned it.' Some thought they were 'called for,' 
but the finale was at the place of pleasant memories, the old block 
house;— one of 1836." 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 201 

MEMENTOES. 

C. TV. Grant was loudly called lor. and created considerable 
amusement by his remarks, and a copy of a Fourth-of-July cele- 
bration at East Saginaw, in 1S55. 

C. D. Little presented from Mrs. C. E. Hayden some copies of 
the first papers published in the Valley — 1'he Journal, of 1837. 

Mrs. A. M. Kichman presented coi »ies of the first papers printed 
in the Valley — 2 he Journal, Republican, Sj?i)'it of the Times, 
North Star, and others. 

Robert Ure presented a Territorial map of Michigan and 
Wisconsin. 

Numerous other relics and mementoes were presented, each and 
every one telling its own story of pioneer life. 

THE DINNER 

at the Taylor House was not the least interesting feature of the 
reunion. One hundred pioneers were present. After dinner the 
toasts were given and responded to, but, owing to some oversight, 
that of the " President of the United States" was omitted. 

1. The Pioneer Society of the Saginaw Valley. Response by 
the President. 

2. The Old Settlers. Response by "W. R. McCormick, of Bay 
City. 

3. The Times as they were and are. Response b} r C. "W. 
Grant, of East Saginaw. 

4. The County Societies of this Jurisdiction. 

5. The Press. Response by R. W. Jenney, of Flint. 

6. The Ladies — God bless them! Response by George F. 
Lewis. 

PIONEER STATE ORGANIZATION. 

At the meeting for the organization of the State Pioneer Soci- 
ety, held at Lansing, March 11, 1874, Messrs. Morgan L. Gage, 
S. C. Munson, Murdock Fraser and Hon. Albert Miller were 
present as representatives from Saginaw and Bay counties. 

ANOTHER MEETING. 

A number of members of the society assembled May 21, 1874, 
to make arrangements for a grand celebration to take place June 
24, in honor of the birth of Michigan as a State. This meeting 
"was held at the Bancroft House. There were present Hon. Albert 
Miller, Capt Gage, Israel Catlin, C. A. Lull, A. K. Penny, C. 

W. Grant, W. R. McCormick, Stanton, Moses B. Hess, Geo. 

H. Richardson, Geo. Lord, Luther Beck with, Geo. W. Hotchkiss 
and Geo. F. Lewis. 



202 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

A corresponding committee, consisting of M. L. Gage, C. A. 
Lull and Geo. F. Lewis, was appointed. An advisory committee 
comprising Curt Munger, Benj. F. Price, C. W. Grant and C. D. 
Little, was also formed. To these names were added Hon. Town- 
send North, Tuscola ; Hon. Geo. F. Ball, Midland ; Hon. E. H. 
Thomson, Genesee ; Gen. Ralph Ely, Gratiot ; Douglass Nelson, 
Isabella. The names thus given constituted the committee of 
general arrangement under the presidency of Hon. Albert Miller. 

The committee on program comprised Hon. Albert Miller, M. 
B. Hess, Geo. W. Hotchkiss, Geo. F. Lewis and Geo. H. 
Richardson. 

The following letter of reminiscences, addressed to the " Pioneers 
of the State of Michigan," was written by Edwin Jerome: 

k ' I am happy to meet you on our first social reunion in this 
flourishing Bay City, standing upon grounds sacred to memory, 
and on which 41 years ago your relator camped and slept. 

"In the latter part of the summer of 1833, I enlisted in the 
War Department commanded by Col. Anderson, then a resident 
of Detroit, to assist in a coast survey of Lake Huron, under the 
immediate direction of three cadets from West Point, Lieut. 
Heintzelman, since General, a distinguished L T nion soldier in our 
late fratricidal war, as our leader ; Lieut. Poole, second in com- 
mand ; Lieut. Lee, third or junior commander ; Commissary, 
George Moran , of Groesse Point ; Government hunter, your ven- 
erable and much respected townsman, Capt. Francois Marsac, the. 
crack of whose rifle, aimed by his keen eye, fed the stomachs of the 
party with some 200 wild duck, I think, four bears, several deer,, 
and a number of raccoons, etc. Yet, the speed and hardy endu- 
rance of the Captain's body were inadequate to the task of over- 
taking and capturing a moose, whose keen eye, ear, scent and 
fleet foot successfully evaded a hard day's chase ; among the pri- 
vates in the Yankee mess were myself and six others, Henry 
Snelling, Mr. Cowles, a nephew of Col. Anderson, Mr. Jacobus 
and three others, whose names are not now called to memory. 

' ' In the French mess were Benoit L. Trombly, Francois G. 
Trombly, Leon Trombly, Joseph Trombly, Antoine Trombly, 
John Trombly, Baret Leparls, Gilbert Lacrois, Dominique Sney,. 
Leon Sney, John Grant, Louis Duprey, William Thebo and 
Joseph Alloir, 14 in number, making a total of 26 souls, counting 
Lieut. Poole, whose whereabouts we never learned. 

' ' Our field service commenced on the shore of Lake Huron, a 
few miles above Fort Gratiot, at the then northern terminus of the 
Government land surveys of Michigan. Speaking wholly from a 
41 years' memory, I shall omit any attempt at describing minutely 
the majestic forests, romantic spots, jotted now with cities, the 
marble rocks found upon the beach, etc., but will note the fact 
that our pioneer party made the first survey of the pearly little 
stream, the beautiful site, took the extraordinary soundings of the 
noble harbor, varying from one foot to four in depth, dotted 




SAMUEL SHATTUCK 






HI-TORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 205 

with boulders one mile from shore over which the white caps 
dashed, of the far-famed city of White Rock. 

•• Leaving this capricious harbor, so well stocked with defensive 
bonlders, we soon arrived at, and successfully doubled that rough, 
rocky, small-caverned cape, Pointe aux Barques. Leaving the 
broad expanse of Lake Huron, and entering the extensive Bay of 
Saginaw, whose dangerously rough seas were brought vividly to 
mind on reading the accounts of the perilous voyage of the fisher- 
man, floating upon its bosom, on cakes of ice, the sacrifice of six 
brave and noble-hearted men from Alabaster, in an attempt to 
rescue them, during the last winter — my memory reverted with 
singular clearness to one of the most perilous scenes of my life. 
On the arrival of the party at Pigeon river, we crossed over to, 
and made a survey of Charity island, but unfortunately left a 
small cur dog running in the woods, belonging to Lieut. Poole ; 
the next day I was detailed, and four others, in a yawl, with two 
days' provisions, to rescue the dog; we sailed about fifteen miles, 
propelled by our muscles applied to oars, under a calm, still sky, 
and smooth, placid waters. 

"On approaching the cove-sided island, we were forcibly 
reminded of the errand of mercy upon which we had been sent, by 
the dog's leaping in the air, running and capering up and down 
the beach, making loud and joyous yelpings ; on nearing the 
shore, the dog leaped aboard ; just at this moment, a light, 
vaporing shadow flitted away from the spot the dog left, and it 
has been a matter of much serious speculation whether it was the 
shadow of Lieut. Poole's soul flitting off. We immediately set 
out on the return, with the brightest of prospects and full spread 
canvas ; when about eight rods from shore, we encountered, sud- 
denly and unexpectedly, a southwesterly gale, and twice 
attempted and tailed to come in stays, with a view to regain the 
island ; on the third endeavor, our mast cracked about half off 
near the foot, and the sail dipped water, bringing us in stays 
double quick, with an ominous and fearful sheet of water pouring 
over the side, shipping about a barrel of water ; by great and 
despairing effort, with our weight upon the upper edge, the sail 
lifted from the water, and the craft righted ; hats and shoes were 
vigorously applied in bailing, and as soon as possible our oars 
were put in motion, and the boat headed for the island, then about 
a quarter of a mile distant, and we into a direct line into Lake 
Huron. After an hour of the hardest struggle for life we found 
ourselves nearing the island, and on arriving, joyously camped 
for the night. Trie following day the wind veered northwesterly, 
and blew directly for Pigeon river ; at 4 p. m. , the sail was reefed 
to the size of a farm-house window, our staunch and crank little 
craft was placed before trie gale, and one hour and ten minutes 
sped us safely into camp. Your relator will here add his testi- 
monial to the many others related of the crank and turbulent 
waves of Saginaw Bay in rough weather ; and state, that while on 
this speedy passage, he stood upon the thwart holding fast to the 

13 



206 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

mast, and when in the trough of the sea, nothing but the sky 
could be seen to the front or rear at an angle 45 degrees ; on look 
ing at the white-caps chasing in the rear, apparently to engulph 
me 15 or 20 feet beneath their crest, my hair pulled fear- 
fully, and my heart seemed leaping from my body. At this 
alarming moment, the base of the wave up-ended our yawl, and it 
leaped forward with such force as to cause an involuntary squat, 
dashing spray over the stem, giving us an oft repeated sprinkling. 

"■Passing over the minor incidents in the progress of our work, 
from the encampment at Pigeon river to the Saginaw river, we 
finally pitched our tents on, or near, the site of your enterprising 
city, and took observations, for nine successive days, of the sun 
crossing the meridian, to determine the latitude and longitude of 
this capacious river; your relator each time noting the exact second 
from an excellent chronometer. 

"Now, when I ride into the cities of Saginaw Yalley, in palace 
cars, on first-class, well stocked railroads, or ride up and down 
this river in a noble steamer, beautifully furnished, viewing in 
surprise the almost continuous line of cities along its banks; teem- 
ing in wealth and splendor; the immense yards of lumber, contain- 
ing millions of feet; salt works sufficient to resuscitate and save all 
this thrift and industry from any serious decline; in contemplating 
all, memory of 1833 and 1836 leaps forth and asks, Did all this 
spring from chaos, or more than chaos, with so much forbidding 
sterility upon a stream lined with extensive marshes, deep bayou 
or sturdy forest, uninhabited, save a few log houses near the river, 
in Saginaw City '. In those early years, your water lines of river, 
bay or lake were familiar. I then traversed the Tittabawassee and 
its branches, Chippewa and Pine, Bad river, Cass, Flint and Mish- 
tegayoc, exploring their forests, selecting their choicest timber and 
finest lands. 

"And now, my old co-laborers in the woods and fields of Mich- 
igan, wishing you long life and joyous end, I say adieu.' 1 

Thomas J. Drake sent the following letter, under date, Pontiac, 
June 19, 1874, addressed to Hon. Albert Miller: 

'•'-Dear Judge: — It is difficult for me to find words, to express 
adequately the pleasure which your letter gave me. 

"The celebration, to which you so kindly invited me, is one of 
no ordinary character. The early settlement of the Saginaw 
Valley, and the organization of our State government, are subjects 
deeply interesting; and, while I remember the one, I cannot forget 
the other. There are few events more deeply seated in my memory 
than my first visit to Saginaw. Perhaps it is well ordered that 
we cannot look back on the past and view over by-gone years 
without commingled emotions of pain and pleasure, and thus we 
are preserved from the evil effects of satiety and despondency. 

" The incidents of that journey, though many and important, 
were known to but few, — my traveling companion and associate, 
Commissioner Frost, who alone knew what occurred to us on our 
journey there and back to this place, has passed away, — a pioneer 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 207 

in other realms, and there remains none to relate our adventures. 
Forgive the egotism, and let me say to you what I think I have to 
none else. On our way home, the question of life and death was 
forcibly presented for our consideration without time for reflection. 

It rained heavily while we were at Saginaw, and when Frost and I 

fot ready to return we were ferried over the river at Green Point 
yjewett. We moved rapidly to the usual crossing on Cass river, 
but the increased velocity and volume of water plainly told us we 
could not cross there in safety. It was raining hard, and we put 
away for the upper crossing a mile or more up the river. When 
we reached that point we found the river much narrower, and the 
north bank quite elevated. There were a few deserted Indian 
cabins on the north bank, some of them made of logs split into 
halves or slah>. We hastily unsaddled our horses, and drove 
them into the river; they swam easily to the opposite shore, went 
out of the river, and went to feeding. We hastily pulled down a 
cabin, took the timbers to the edge of the water, and there formed 
a raft. We fastened the timbers together as well as we could with 
our bridles and surcingles, laid timber and bark on top for a floor 
or platform, put our saddles, portmanteaus, and blankets on, and 
having two of the poles we could find at any of the cabins, we 
shoved our frail raft into the surging waters, and both leaded 
aboard. The first push we made carried us into water so deep'we 
could not reach bottom with our poles, and down stream we 
went with the rapidity of a race horse. Our poles were so 
slender that they served us but little assistance as oars. We ap- 
plied ourselves with all the energy we jiossessed, and so shaped 
the course of our raft that it came so near the south shore in pass- 
ing one of the bends of the river, that I caught hold of the tops of some 
willows standing on the bank. By holding fast, our raft swung 
around, and brought Frost so near that he got a firm hold of the 
bushes, and thus we got to shore all safe and not the least fright- 
ened. Our horses were soon caught, and our bridles and saddles 
thrown on, our blankets and trappings secured, and we upon full 
gallop for Flint river, which we reached a little after sun-down. 

" Our business at Saginaw was to locate the seat of justice for 
that county. When we got there we found Judge Dexter and En- 
gineer and Surveyor Risder platting the city of Saginaw. Dexter 
approached the Commissioners with his skeleton map in hand; one 
of the lots he designated as the ' court-house lot." He very abruptly 
informed them that if they located the site for the seat of justice on 
the lot he had designated he would donate it to the county, and he 
would give to each of the Commissioners a lot, perhaps two. Our 
other associate was satisfied with Dexter's proposition, and from 
that moment until we left, I think he looked at nothing but the 
lots Dexter proposed to give him. I felt inclined to treat Dexter 
with contempt, and for awhile Frost agreed with me and we looked 
at other places. 

"There was then an uninhabited forest where East Saginaw now 
stands, and it was said that the whole country, after getting back 



208 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

from the river, was a morass, and uninhabitable. However, we 
resolved to inspect it ourselves. With Jewett to guide us we trav- 
eled the country up and down the river and from the river back, 
until we were satisfied that it was the best and most proper place 
for a court-house. Besides Jewett, there was with us that day a 
man by the name of Joshua Terry, who \i\ed at Pontiac. Frost 
and I fixed upon a site, and drove a stake to indicate the spot se- 
lected. We took measurements from different points on the river 
with such bearing as would enable one to find the identical spot, 
and agreed to meet next morning and make our report. I went to 
Jewett's shanty at Green Point, and Frost went to the fort, as it 
was called, where he could find our other associate. The next 
morning, to my surprise, I found that Frost had been overcome, 
demoralized, and had actually signed a report locating the site on 
the spot selected by Dexter. Through the love of whisky which 
was entertained by Frost, and the love of gain entertained by the 
other Commissioner, the county seat of Saginaw county was located. 
I was then a member of the Legislative Council from Oakland 
county and all the Lower Peninsula north and west of it, and with 
pride I endeavored to extend and uphold the interests of my con- 
stituents, the pioneers of old Oakland, as well as those of the beau- 
tiful valley of the land of Saco. I have with deep solicitude and 
great pleasure witnessed the untiring exertions of the pioneers, and 
the marvelous growth and prosperity of the country. 

"Fifty years ago and this vast country, of which the Saginaw 
Valley may be considered the center, was the home of the deer 
and the red man; its deep forests were then unmarked by the steps 
of the pale face; the most of it was beyond the pale of civilization. 
And what do we see now? Towns and cities adorn the land; rail- 
roads traverse the country in every direction; its rivers are utilized 
as highways for commerce and travel, and as a resistless motive 
power for manufactories; its forests are receding before the re- 
doubled blows of the ax men, and being molded into articles of 
commerce, are wafted away thousands of miles for improvement or 
ornament in distant countries. And above all and beyond all, on 
the 24th of June, 1874, the pioneers of the State proposed to in- 
augurate and to carry into execution the celebration of the anni- 
versary of the organization of the State government. 

"All hail! Pioneers of Saginaw. Long have you suffered, and 
gloriously have you conquered. May you long enjoy the rich re- 
wards with which your labors are crowned. Receive the congratu- 
lations of an old pioneer." 

THE PIONEERS OF THE SAGINAW. 

In their own circle within the original boundaries of Saginaw, the 
pioneers have done much which deserves honorable mention. It 
is true that the fame of a Washington, or the terribly earnest 
patriotism of a Montgomery have not been their share; yet there 
is no reason whatever to suppose that, did circumstances create 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 209 

an opportunity, those courageous men who entered the fastnesses 
of the Ohippewas and battled successfully with all the obstacles 
which life in the wilderness presented, would not have risen to the 
highest grades in military affairs and carved for themselves a 
name as proud as any which pertains to citizens of the United 
States. Providence ordained another life for the pioneers, many 
of their fathers fought the good fight for Liberty and won the bat- 
tle, leaving Peace and Freedom to their children, and bequeathing 
to them the greatest land the world ever knew, to be cultivated 
and guarded. 

If the pioneers of Saginaw were denied participation in the con- 
test which gave to the world a great Republic, and again pre- 
vented by age from guarding it when treason threatened to destroy 
the Union, their ancestors won honor for them in the first instance, 
and many of their children supplied their places in the second. 
They were born to open up the land and possess it. This accom- 
plished, their mission was fulfilled. Labor, alone, has wrought 
this change. There are many whose names deserve mention in 
this connection, many to whom special honors are due, and whose 
names shine in the records of the county. Here we will speak ot 
a few of them: 

Eleazer Jewett, born in Massachusetts in 1799, arrived at Sagi- 
naw City in 1826 and died Feb. 18, 1876. His daughter, Mrs. 
Lee, was the first white child born in the county. She it was who 
planted the seed of the two trees which grow opposite the dwelling 
house numbered 407 Washington street. Mr. Jewett served two 
years under the American Fur Company. On Oct. 24, 1831, he 
married Miss Azubah L. Miller, and a few days later led her to 
her home on the Saginaw. He was the principal surveyor of the 
valley even before the organization of the township of Saginaw, 
and on its organization as a county, he was appointed 
county surveyor. He held the office of justice of the peace for 30 
years and judge of probate for 1-4 years. On the death of Mr. Jew- 
ett, Hon. Albert Miller succeeded to the name which he enjoyed 
of being the senior of the surviving American pioneers of theValley. 
Mr. Jewett' s name has come down to us unstained by even the 
least word of scandal. To-day his memory is revered, his labors 
in the interest of this county well remembered. 

Gardner D. Williams was descended from a Welch family. His 
ancestor, Robert Williams, settled in Roxbury, Mass., in 1638, being 
18 years after the arrival of the Mayflower. The branch of the 
family from which Judge Williams descended, remained in Rox- 
bury for five generations down to Oliver Williams, the father of 
Judge Williams, who removed to Concord, Mass., about 1791. 
where Gardner D. was born Sept. 7, 1804. Oliver Williams 
came to Detroit in 1807, leaving his family in Concord. He 
engaged in business as a merchant, and was one of the largest 
dealers in Detroit, bringing at onetime $64,000 in goods from 
Boston. About the year 1811, he built the sloop "Friends' Good 
Will," on board which he visited Mackinaw in 1812, and at that 



210 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

place his vessel was chartered by the Government to go to 
Chicago for furs. Arriving at Chicago, Mr. Williams took on 
board 99 packs of furs belonging to Government, besides a quan- 
tity of his own. On his return voyage, his vessel was captured 
by the British at Mackinaw, that post having capitulated in his 
absence. The capture was effected by a ruse of the enemy. On 
approaching the fortress, Mr. Williams saw the American flag fly- 
ing and a sentry in American uniform on guard, and had no sus- 
picion that the post had changed hands. He was undeceived only 
when too late to escape. He lost his vessel and cargo, and it is 
little to the credit of the Government that it never made up to him 
the loss. The British changed the name of the vessel to wt The 
Little Belt," and was one of the vessels captured by Commodore 
Perry in the battle of Lake Erie. 

The family of Oliver Williams, including Gardner D., arrived at 
Detroit Nov. 5, 1815, and resided there until March, 1819, at 
which time they removed to Silver Lake in Oakland county, being 
almost the first settlers of that county. In the spring of 1827, 
Judge Williams removed to Saginaw City, and with his brother, 
Ephraim S., established himself in the fur trade, under the 
American Fur Company. He married in 1829, Eliza Beach, and 
died Dec. 10, 1858. 

Judge Williams occupied during his busy and eventful life sev- 
eral offices of public trust. He was a member of the first conven- 
tion to form a constitution for the State of Michigan, a member of 
each branch of the State Legislature, Commissioner of Internal 
Improvements, County Judge and Treasurer of Saginaw county, 
and was at the time of his death Mayor of Saginaw City. 

Mr. St. George was born in Montreal, Ont., in 1774, and was a 
French Canadian. He came to Michigan when a young man and 
took up his abode in the woods, near where Detroit now is. He 
cleared of timber the land where the city hall stands and consid- 
erable more in its immediate vicinity. When the war of 1812 
broke out St. George joined the American forces and fought 
through the war. In 1815 he visited the Chippewas of the Sagi- 
naw region for the first time, and a year later was a trader among 
them. His death took place in 1880. Judge Woodward and 
St. George, of Detroit, Harvey Williams and the children of 
Oliver Williams, of Saginaw, formed the survivors of the pioneers 
of Detroit, of 1815, in the centennial year. St. George and Wood- 
ward have since passed away. 

Norman Little, son of Doctor Charles Little, of Livingston 
county, N. Y. settled permanently in Saginaw in 1836. His 
journey thither was made on the first steam-boat that came up the 
Saginaw. His father is said to have visited this valley as early as 
1822, and again in 1823-'4, when he entered almost all the land 
along the river from the northern limits of East Saginaw to Green 
Point and from Saginaw City to the Tittabawassee. In 1836 Norman 
Little bought the site of Saginaw from the enterprising Dr. 
Millington, of Ypsilanti, and followed up this purchase the year 



HISTOBY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 211 

succeeding by introducing the building era. In 1850 he formed a 
partnership with J. M. Hoyt & Sod, of New Fork, purchased 
2,400 acres of land on the east side of the river, and with his 
partners aided in inaugurating and building ap that city. In L852 

be moved to Ids new home on the east bank of the river, where he 
resided until the village, winch he nursed, rose f<> the importance 
..t a city. His death occurred one year later, in 1860. 

A.sa WTiitney settled on the Tittabawassee in the fall of 1825. 
The succeeding spring he entered upon the cultivation of a farm, 
hut owing to his life of ''single blessedness" this proved almost 
impracticable. lie was drowned in April, L827. It is said lie 
committed suicide. 

Sherman Stevens served at the post for some time. His knowl- 
of the Otchipwe language enabled him to hold a very 
important place in the estimation of the Indian, even as he did 
already in that of the French and American traders, with whom 
he came in contact. He was the father ofMiss Sara Stevens, the 
tragedienne. 

YV. L. V. Little, born at Avon, X. Y.. in 1814, maybe said to 
have settled here as early as 1832, though he did not become a 
permanent resident until 1836. Entering the office of the Saginaw 
City Company, he imbibed their principles of enterprise, and in 
1840 began that commercial career which conferred so many 
advantages on the district. 

James McCormick, born at Albany, N. Y., May 25, 1787, 
traveled westward in 1832, and settled at Flint that sane year. 
lie moved to Lower Saginaw in 1841, where he resided for live 
years previous to his death. It was stated that never was the 
loss of a pioneer more deplored. While living he was the In- 
dians' friend and the associate of the American pioneer. 

James Fraser was born in Scotland. He left that country for 
the United States inl829, and five years later located lands on the 
Tittabawassee, near Saginaw City. From that time to his death 
he was among the first citizens of Michigan. 

John Farley. sonofCapt. John Farley, of the U. S. Artillery, 
visited Saginaw in L831, and. associated with Samuel McCloskey, 
platted a portion of the land now comprised in the city, under the 
name of the Town of Saginaw. McCloskey was a son-in-law of Ga- 
briel Godfroy, of Ypsilanti. Farley was subsequently appointed 
on coast survey duty. He was born' in 1800, and died in 1873. 

Sidney S. Campbell was born at Paris. Oneida Co., N". Y. He 
moved to Pontiac, Mich., in 1830; to Cass River Bridge, in 1836, 
where he platted the town of Bridgeport, and to Lower Saginaw 
m 1 v -'m. 

Israel Catlin, born at Chemung, Schuyler Co., N. Y., in June, 
L814, settled at Saginaw City in 1841. 

James G. Birney, born at Danville. Ky. In 1841, he settled in 
the Lower Saginaw district, and three' years later entered the 
Presidential contest of 1*44 as the nominee of the -'Libertv Par- 
ty." 



212 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Samuel Dexter, whose name is so familiarly connected with the 
history of Washtenaw county, platted the northeast quarter of 
section 24, township of Saginaw, in 1835, and a year later sold his 
interests here to Mackie, Oakley and Jennison, of New York. 

Medor and Joseph Trombley settled at Portsmouth in 1835. Ben- 
wa Trombley arrived in the fall of that year. Leon and Louis 
Trombley arrived in 1832; the former as Indian blacksmith. The 
Trombley s were Frenchmen, and among the most energetic of the 
early settlers. The grandfather of this family is said to have 
visited the valley in 1795, for the purpose of trading with the 
Chippewas. 

Cromwell Barney located lands in the Lower Saginaw district 
in 1837, and erected a log house on the site subsequently occupied 
by Munger & Co's store. 

Thomas Rogers settled at Portsmouth, in 1838, and moved 
shortly after to the district known as Lower Saginaw, where he 
operated a blacksmith shop. During the cholera epidemic of 1852, 
this settler was one of the many which it claimed for a victim. 

Louis Clawson came to the valley in 1839, with instructions 
from the Government to make a survey of the territory extending 
from the southern lines of Ogemaw and Iosco counties to the north- 
ern limits of Montmorency and Alpena. 

Charles L. Richman settled at Saginaw City in 1836. He came 
here with Norman Little and Gov. Mason, making the trip from 
Detroit on board the " Gov. Marcy," which was the first steam-boat 
that appeared upon the waters of the Saginaw. 

Benjamin Cushway, a resident of Saginaw for the past 39 years, 
quietly passed to his rest May 25, 1881, after an illness of about 
eight weeks. He was able to be up one day, but was taken worse 
about 5 o'clock next morning and died, as above stated, of paralysis 
of the heart. Mr. Cushway was born in Detroit in 1809. He 
learned the blacksmithing trade, and in 1832 was appointed by 
Gen. Cass, then Territorial Governor of Michigan, as United States 
blacksmith for the Chippewa Indians, with headquarters at Saginaw 
City, a position which he held for 34 years. In 1834 he married 
Adelaide Robison. Their home was in Fort Saginaw on the block 
where the Taylor House now stands. In 1836 his headquarters 
were moved to Bay City, then Lower Saginaw, where he remained 
10 years. Returning to this city, he built a house where the Miller 
block now stands, in which he lived several years. Since 1865 he 
had not been engaged in active business. Three years ago his wife 
died, and recently in conversation with a friend he expressed the 
opinion that he would not last long. He had a wonderful memory, 
and within the last two weeks before his death recounted many 
of the trials and pleasures and the fate of early inhabitants of 
Saginaw. Four children, Mrs. A. C. Andre, Frank, Alfonzo and 
Charles Cushway still reside in this city. 

Stephen Wolverton arrived at the mouth of the river, July 19, 
1839, with authority to erect a light-house. He commenced the 
work, which was completed by Capt. Levi Johnson. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 213 

Capt. John S. Wilson. Capt. 13. F. Pierce, Seth Willey, Dr. 
Etotseau, ancle of Gen. Rosseau, F. W. Backus and 13. R. Hall. 
were among the pioneers of Lower Saginaw. 

Aloney Rust, a pioneer of the Saginaw, died September IS, 
In 74. lie arrived here in 1834. 

A brain Butts was among the earliest and most patriotic of the 
settlers. He was collector in the early township days, and played 
the base drum at the first celebration of Independence Day. 

-lames Busby was among the early settlers of the county. He 
filled many positions of trust, and the greatest confidence was re- 
posed in him by the people. 

Elijah N". Davenport moved from Flint to Saginaw in 1830. He 
loaded two rlat-boats with his family and effects, and proceeded 
down the river. The journey continued for seven days, owing to 
delays caused by portages, at points where the drift-wood dammed 
the river. 

Hiram L. Miller arrived at Saginaw in 1S35. He was the first 
pastor of the Presbyterian Church, editor of the first newspaper 
projected here, and one of the leading citizens of the present time. 

Thomas McCarty. one of the earliest settlers of the Saginaw, as 
well as a pioneer of the State, left Roxbury. Mass., in 1829, for 
Michigan. He settled in Saginaw in 1830. He died at the resi- 
dence of his brother, Edward McCarty, a settler in the township 
of Tittabawassee, Sept. 21, 1855. He was a resident of Saginaw 
county f< »r 25 years. In company with his father. Edward McCarty (a 
gentleman connected with the Irish revolution of 1798), he came to 
Michigan, and, with ax and pack upon his shoulder, trod the un- 
broken wilderness northwest of Detroit to the home of his adop- 
tion in this county. After seeing the lands in the vicinity of the 
old fort, he resolved to locate in Tittabawassee. In 1850 he" was 
elected Representative to the State Legislature. Mr. McCarty's 
brothers. Edward and James McCarty. settled here in 1834. 

Geo. W. Bullock, born at Savoy. Berkshire Co.. Mass., Aug. 
27, 1809, traveled west in 1831, and settled in Saginaw in 1836. 
He took an active part in every movement connected with the prog- 
ress of the city. His death took place June 6, 1861. 

Robert Ure, whose name is associated with the early political and 
commercial affairs of the Valley, arrived here in 1831. He filled 
many public offices, and was otherwise honored with the confidence 
of the people. 

Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh was one of the early proprietors of the 
Saginaw Valley. He made large purchases of land in the vicinity 
of Saginaw in 1835, and about 1840 he bought several parcels of 
land on the opposite side of the river, and with the late James 
Fraser and James G. Birney purchased the stock of the Saginaw 
Bay Company, and became one of the proprietors of Lower Sag- 
inaw, now Bav City. His death occurred at Mt. Morris, N. Y., 
April 23, 1881. 



214 



HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



THE LAND BUYERS. 



For the purpose of the county history proper, the names of those 
who patented the lands of the county between the years 1822, 
the date of the garrisoning of Fort Saginaw, and 1837, are here 
given. Of the entire number of buyers named in this list, only a 
few left for other scenes ; so it may be stated with a degree of cer- 
tainty that the men whose names follow were among the old set- 
tlers of the county. In the histories of the various townships the 
names, locations, 1 and dates of purchase of all lands bought from 
the general Government, situated within such township will be 
given. This list is confined to the term between 1822 and 1837, 
the last 10 years of which may be considered the pioneer period, 
as by that .time the valley was well known, and the troubles which 
usually beset the new settler partially removed. 



Jonathan Kearsley, 

Smith Justin, 

A. L. Whitney, 
Hermann Ladd, 

David Stanard, 
Henry C. West, 

Thomas Simpson, 

Gardner D. Williams, 
James P. Hayden, 



Carolus A. Stebbins, 
George Damon, 
Abel Miller, 
William Good, 

Noah R. Campbell, 
Henry Carnpau, 
Joseph Holden, 
Francis Anderson, 
William Witchell, 

William Richards, 
Leander Smith, 
Lewis Dupratts, 
Benedict Tromble, 
Thomas Simpson, 
Elijah N.Davenport. 
Willard B Bunnell, 
Augustus Harrison, 
Peter A. Cowdrej r , 
Abel S. Peters, 
Benjamin Clapp, 
Thomas H. Newbold, 
Sidney S Campbell, 
John Neate, 



1822. 

James McCloskey. 
1823. 

John Biddle. 
1824. 
Charles Little 
T. Chappel, 

1830. 

Govener Vinton, 

Luther Jones. 
1831. 

Donald Urquhart. 
1832. 

Ephraim S. Williams, 

Eleazer Jewett. 



1833. 
Andrew Ure, 
Lancelot Spare, 
Joseph Bushy, 
Harvey Rumvil"*, 

1834. 
John McMillan, 
Edward Green, 
Hugh McCubberish, 
William Draper, 
David E. C'orbin, 

1835. 
William Barclay, 
Anthony Swart hout, 
Charles" H. Rodd, 
Mary B. Brown, 
Cornelius Bergen, 
Gardner Mott, 
Thomas H. Newbold, 
Albert H. Dorr, 
Daniel H. Fitzhugh, 
James Marsac, 
Enoch Olmstead, 
Bradley Bunnell, 
Trumble Cary, 
Abel Millington, 



John Brown, 
John Lacy, 
John Cameron. 



John Thompson, 
Robert Thompson, 
Phiheas Spaulding, 
Joseph Pitcairn, 
Angus McDonald. 

Stephen H. Herrick, 
Schuyler Hodges, 
Stephen H. Herrich, 
Eleazer Mason, 
Joseph E. Town, 
John Malone, 
James R. Slausson, 
John S. Le Roy, 
Thomas H. Newbold, 
Edward A. Leioy, 
Duncan McKinzie, 
Weston G. Elmer, 
Edwin Herrick. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



215 



Gardner D. Williams, 
James Fraeer, 
Charles II. Carroll, . 
E. S. Cobb, 
Edward G. Faile, 
Augustus c Stevens, 
Paul Spafford, 
James Bucbey, 
Benjamin Cushway, 
Harvey Montgomery, 
John Todd, 
Matthew Cobb, 
John McNiel, 
James II. Jerome, 
James Bosmer, 
Asbbel 8. Thomson, 
Andrew C. Scott, 
i harles Matthews, 
Amanda Vance, 
William Prout. 
Thomas P. Sawyer, 
Thomas L. L. Brent, 
John M. Hubinger, 
Hiram G. Hotchkiss, 
Josiab Beers, 
Peter F. Ewer, 
Epbraim Williams, 
Norman Little, 
William T. Carroll. 
John W. Edmunds, 
Lot ( '. Bodgman, 
Best or L. Stevens, 
David Lee, 
John S. Tolbott, 
Toupaint Laferty, 
Albert Miller, 
Zenas D. Bassett, 
Benjamin K. Hall, 
Charles B. Granniss, 
Allen Ayrault. 
Alexander Baxter, 
George Chandler, 
William S. Hosmer, 
Miranda Vance, 
Roberl Stone, 
Abraham I. Shultz, 
Douglas Houghton, 
William Finley, 
Calvin Hotchkiss, 
Leman B. Hotchkiss. 
Stephen Beers, 
Fohn G. Gebhard, 
Nicholas Bouck, 



James Fraser, 
George W. Williams, 
John S. Bag a 
Gardner I). Williams, 
Alpheus Williams, 
Joseph G. I! 
James Morse, 



1836. 

Zuba Barrow?. 
Wait Black, 
Peter F. Ewer. 
William Thomas. 
Thomas Mai one, 
Loomas Thyer, 
Allen Ayrault, 
Perry G. Gardner, 
Elias Colborn, 
Hellasy Burchhart, 
Russell G. Hurd, 
Samuel A. Godard, 
Jerome B. Garland, 
Asbel Aylsworth, 
Caleb If. Wins, 
Robert Smart, 
Oliver Atherton, 
Rowley Morris, 
Philander Truesdell, 
Renssellar Blackmer, 
Freeland McDonald, 
James Francis Clark, 
Thomas J. Drake, 
Henry G. Hubbard, 
David Dietz, 
David Ellis, 
William McCullock, 
Orzamus Willard, 
John Rudd, 
Warner Lake, Jr., 
John D. Jones, 
John Clifford, 
Nathan Phillips, 
Nathaniel Foster, 
Jared H. Randell, 
John Patterson, 
John J. Charrnaud, 
William Moon, 
Fredrick Boell, 
Charles Pratt, 
David G. Hammer, 
William Bingham, 
Charles P. Holmes, 
Richard Dibbley, 
George Call, 
John Rathbun, 
John Farquharson, 
John A. Welles, 
Gideon Paull, 
William S. Stevens, 
Charles McLean. 
Elijah D. Ether, 
Anthony Ten Eyck, 

1837. 
Harvey Miller, 
Charles A. Lull, 
William Rice, 
Robert A. Quartermass, 
Mortimer Wadhams, 
Caleb Embury, 
John L. Eastman, 



Ralph Wright, 
Joseph Adams, 
Elias H. Herrick, 
Alexander Howell, 
• S-eorge Marshall, 
Jacob B. Herrick, 
George Young, 
Thomas Smith, 
Nahum W. Capew, 
Josiah G. Leech, 
Thomas McCarty, 
William C. Baker, 
Sherman M. Rockwood, 
Curtis C. Gates, 
James J. McCormick. 
Lot Clark, 
Henry Dwight, 
John Smyth. 
James Davidson, 
Cornelius Bergen, 
James R. Jackman, 
Gabriel V. N. Hetfield, 
Joseph Lawrence, 
Stephen V.R.Trowbridge, 
Ranson V. Ashley, 
Charles J, Sutton, 
J. A. Blossom, 
James Wadsworth, 
Alexander McAuther, 
Silas Leighton, 
Isaac Frost, 
Zenas D. Bassett, 
Thomas How r ell, 
Henrv Slringham, 
William Churchill, 
Patterson Ferguson, 
Daniel Wood 
Thomas Wiard, 
Francis G. Macey, 
Joseph F. Marsac, 
John McCullogh, 
James Ripey, 
Nicholas N. Stover, 
Stephen Warren, 
Lansing B. Migner, 
Eliza Chapin, 
Abner D. Debolt, 
Nicholas Havward, 
Ralph Hall, 
Ebenezer Conkling, 
Chester Ingalls, 
John G. Ireland, 



Miriam M. Cummings, 
Polly Todd, 
Almira Woodford, 
Charles Chamberlain, 
Alexander Lee, 



216 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Barnard Hackett, 
John Falls, 
Mary F. Barbour. 
Mary Ann Hunt, 
Frederick H. Stephens, 
Orsmans Long, 
Joseph J. Maiden, 
Lemuel Brown, 
Zenas Morse, 
Alba Lull, 
Horatio Abell, 
Simeon Cumings, 
Gideon Lee, 
Simon Law, 
William Eastman, 
Robert C S. Page, 
Horace Gilpin, 
Venus Howe, 
Francis Anderson, 
Andrew Middleton, 
James B. Hunt, 
John Barbour, 
Elizabeth A. Barbour, 



Hugh Quin, 
Thomas Crickals. 
Samuel H. Fitzhugh, 
James M. Williams, 
Joseph T. Tromble, 
Silas Barns, 
David Kirk, 
Peter Kemp, 
Thomas Barger, 
William Renwick, 
James Marsac, 
Thomas Townsend, 
Henry H. Le Roy, 
Benjamin McLellan, 
Moses P. Butler, 
Eurotas P. Hastings, 
Philander R. Howe, 
John T. Tallman, 
Samuel Noves, 
Benjamin F. Town, 
William H. H. Elliot, 
John Tallman, 
Chauncey Metcalf, 



Lemuel Brown, 
Obadiah Crane, 
Barnard Huckett, 
Silas Leonard Parks, 
James Marsac, 
Volney Owens, 
John Kemp, 
James Laing, 
Tuomas Freeman, 
John Drysdale, 
Thomas Bloor, 
John Ballard, 
Timothy Biddell, 
Duncan McLellan, 
Stephen Reeves, 
Calvin Townsend, 
Abraham Buckee, 
Charles English, 
Isaac Brown, 
Clarissa Hamilton, 
Robert Harper, 
George Wardman, 
David Van Warner, 



A RETROSPECT. 



What a change has come over the land since they first saw 
it! The metamorphosis from the sickle and the cradle to the 
modern harvester is not more wonderful than other changes which 
have been wrought; and he who brings up sad remembrances 
of a hard day's work, and a lumbago causecl by the swinging of 
his cradle or scythe, smiles, when he thinks of that semi-barbarous 
period that could neither produce a harvester nor a mower. To- 
day he mounts into the seat of one of these machines, as he would 
into his phaeton, and with the assurance that, no matter what the 
condition of the grain, whether tangled, lodged or leaning, he 
masters a quarter section of wheat field more thoroughly and with 
greater economy than he could have managed a five-acre field 
25 years ago. 

The change is certainly material. They realize it; but yet they 
look back to the never-forgotten past, when contentment waited on 
the work of the old cradle, plow, and spade — to that time when the 
primitive character of all things rendered all primitively happy. 
Then contentment reigned supreme, and continued so to do until 
knowledge created ambitions, and those ambitions brought in their 
train their proverbial and numerous little troubles. 

The change has been revolutionizing indeed! Then political 
meetings were called by messages passed from mouth to mouth, 
from neighbor to neighbor; now the columns of the great daily 
journals of the city, and of the weekly papers, supplemented by 
glaring posters call the attention of the people. Well organized 
cornet bands are sometimes employed to aid all that printers do, 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



217 



and even this has a satellite supplied to it, in the shape of a band 
of small boys, with a base drum, a snare drum and a dozen tin- 
whistles. The latter organization is solely the creature of a great 
political campaign, and discourses its peculiar music only previous 
to the quadriennial election. On very special occasions the cornet 
hand is called out, and oftentimes a quartette party accompanies 
the candidate in his round of the townships. Change is stamped 
on everything. Progress accompanies it to the end. 




CHAPTER Y. 
GERMAN SETTLEMENTS. 

The history of the county was in the main, undoubtedly, made 
by the American pioneers. They had just opened up the new 
settlements on the Saginaw, advertised the resources of their land, 
and prepared as it were a way to peace and prosperity for the too- 
much-governecl, industrious, and sedate German. Within eight 
years after the admission of Michigan into the Union of the States, 
and nine years after the organization of Saginaw county, the people 
of Central Europe began to direct their attention to the land ot 
great forests, and to contribute their quota to its settlement. As 
early as 1845, the Kremer settlement was made here, and within 
the years immediately subsequent a representative of all the coun- 
tries from the Rhine to the Russian frontier could be found 
beginning a new life on every section of the lands of this county. 
Great numbers of the Germans, who came here between 1845 and 
1859, made this county their home, and have contributed, in a 
high degree, to raise it to its present prosperous condition. 

That such a people should claim pioneer honors will not be denied. 
In peace and war the German citizens of Saginaw have acted a 
patriotic part, and there is every reason to presume that, with 
their knowledge of all the evils which a monarchical form of gov- 
ernment entails, they will stand by the Republic, and teach their 
children to honor a land dedicated to Liberty and marked out as 
the true home of manhood. 

Of the German citizens of this county the following may be 
classed among the pioneers, the date of arrival and place of settle- 
ment being given: 

1847 — M. Huber, Blumfield; J. Meyer and M. Herbst, Saginaw. 

1848— Carl Dhrele, Salina. 

1849— Dr. M. C. T. Plessner, A. W. Achard, M. Ziegler, F. Herig, and C. Ulrich, 
Saginaw; F. Dieckman, E. Saginaw; F. Lepsch, Buena Vista; M. Ulrich, Frank- 
entrosl; and F. Vanfleet, Blumfield. 

1850— J. Nerreter and Charles Langlass, E. Saginaw; E. Barck, J. Liskow, 
Win. Fischer, Charles Wapler, Z T. Schoerner, J. Bauer and H. Bernhard, Sagi- 
naw; J. Schaberg, Blumfield; and C. Hage and Val. Simon. 

1851— A.nton Crane, Blumfield; Ernst Franck and L. and E Bloedoh, Bay City; 
Henry Miller, Saginaw City ; Wm. Seidel, Saginaw; and Win. Grandjean and J. 
C. Spaeth. 

18i2— Fred. Koehlerand Wm. Zwerk, E. Saginaw; R. Scheurmann, L. Zagel- 
meier and Charles Babo, Bay City ; J. Backus, Saginaw ; F. Fischer, Joseph 
Elderer, John Leipold, Peter Schneizer, M. Heubisch, John Stroebel and F. W. 
Roenicke. 

1853— John Foetzinger and H.Romeike, Saginaw; J. Bechrow, E. Saginaw; 
and M. Riedel and John Ruff. 

(218) 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 219 

1854— John Lent/., Bay county; Richard Kuehn, Wm. Schieh andEmil Scheur- 
nianii. Saginaw; Win. Kumphert, Flint; and Geo. Schietherger, Franz Koehler 
and M. Stoker. 

1855— F. Y.Ementher, Blumfleld; and Wm. J. Deindorfer. 

1856 — H. Krause. E. Saginaw ; Peter H. Krogman, Saginaw; and H. Stoeltz- 
rider, jr., and J. Baesche. 

1857— John Weiss, Saginaw; and A. Heine, Bay City. 

1859— August Fuehr and J. C. Ziegler, Saginaw; arid August Zoelner. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE PIONEERS. 

A meeting of Germans was held at the Teutonia Hall, Saginaw 
City, May 26, 1881, for the purpose of organizing a Pioneer Soci- 
ety. The meeting was formally organized by the appointment of 
L. Bloedon as president and F. Dieckman, secretary. The resolu- 
tion to organize was made by Ernst Franck, when the chairman 
appointed Messrs. Liskow, Haack. Xerreter, Barck and Spaeth, a 
committee on permanent organization. Dr. M. C. T. Plessner, 
of Saginaw City, was nominated for the presidency of the society 
and elected unanimously. His inaugural address, delivered on 
the occasion, is full and historically valuable, and on that account 
deserves notice in these pages. He said: 

" It is my duty and my pleasure to bid you welcome in this 
meeting of the old and tried pioneers of the Saginaw Valley; it is 
refreshing to see again the faces of those who fought with us in the 
battle with the elements and with the forest, many years ago; to 
look into the eyes of those steadfast men who assisted to change 
the primeval forest into smiling fields and fruitful gardens; the lit- 
tle log houses and shanties of the wilderness into flourishing cities 
ami villages: who helped to evoke order and civilized life from 
chaos and the rough life and manners of the frontier. 

,- Such meetings as ours are not only desirable, but of great ben- 
efit to all participants. Time is fleeting fast, and the eyes of many 
of those who had their share in the developments of this country 
are already closed; many more have passed the middle age, and 
are on the downward path, soon to be ended in the grave. If the 
memory of small beginnings and hard struggles is not to be en- 
tirely lost, the recollections of the pioneers must be collected and 
sifted; our posterity will take an interest in them, no doubt — may- 
be they will be benefited by them. 

•• The duty to welcome you here is the more pleasant to me, as 
all the men here are acquaintances of mine from ' auld lang syne.' 
Some of them I have been happy to call my friends during a quarter 
of a century, and not a few during my life-time. Allow me, as a 
basis for our labor communications, to lay before you a sketch of 
the history of this Saginaw Valley, and principally of the German 
settlement in the same. This is not based on documents, which 
are not accessible to me, but mostly on personal recollections. It 
may abound in errors and inaccuracies, which no one better than 
yourselves can detect and correct, but I give my promise that noth- 
ing will be said in hatred, malice, or even in prejudice, if it can be 



220 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

avoided. Old age makes men tolerant, even if in no other way it 
mproves them. 

"The Saginaw Valley is a portion of the northeastern quarter of 
the lower peninsula of Michigan. It is bounded on the south by 
the hilly watershed between Flint and Holly; on the west by the 
watershed between the rivers tributary to the Saginaw and Grand 
rivers; on the north by the watershed of the Sable river; and on 
the east by Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. It is a very fiat country, 
only a few low hills in it, that were formerly covered with heavy 
primeval forests. The valley is very much intersected by many 
rivers, the Saginaw being the largest. This river is only 18 miles 
in length, short but wide, having at Bay City a width of 1,000 feet. 
The depth averages from eight to nine feet, and its current is gen- 
erally sluggish. Its tributaries are the Cass, Flint, Shiawassee 
and Tittabawassee, coming from the four points of the compass. 
All of them are navigable for small vessels, although their navi- 
gation is very much neglected; their obstructions not removed, yet 
their almost innumerable sources, such as the Pine, Tobacco and 
many other such smaller streams are in the spring exclusively used 
in floating down logs from the lumber camps near them. A pe- 
culiar feature of this region is that the lakes and lakelets, so 
abundant north and south of us, are here entirely missing. Sag- 
inaw Valley has undoubtedly been the bottom of a great lake. Its 
soil is 80 to 100 feet above the rocks and boulders; on top of this 
is rich, alluvial black loam, varying in depth from six to eight 
inches; the hills are mostly covered with sand. The forests con- 
sisted of pines on the hills and hemlock, oak, beech, maple, elm 
and ash on the plains. There is comparatively little prairie in the 
valley, and that is very low. It is well known that the land con- 
tains very large reservoirs of salt brine, the making of salt being 
one of our great industries. Coal has been found in some parts 
of the valley, but so far has not proved profitable. Metals have not 
yet been found. Limestone and gypsum are abundant in some 
parts of the valley. The Indians roamed free and undisturbed in 
Saginaw county until half a century ago. 

"It is said that the Sac and Fox tribes occupied this valley, 
and gave it the name it bears, and that the Chippewas came over 
from Canada, defeating the former tribes in three great battles, 
two of them being fought on the Saginaw river, and the last and 
decisive one on the Cass river, driving the Sac and Fox tribes 
south and west. "Whether this happened 100 or 1,000 years ago 
none can tell. The more civilized Indians, as the Mound Builders, 
which left so many traces in the Upper Peninsula and south of us, 
do not seem to have settled in this valley. The Indians became 
unpleasantly notorious in the last war with England. During the 
siege of Detroit, they marched down there as allies of the English, 
under their chief, Kish-kaw-ko, and his son, Chemick, plundered 
the settlers, murdered men, women and children, and sold their 
scalps to English officials in Canada. They did not fight, their 
warfare being only against the unarmed and unwary. A few years 






Ityastfc 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY 223 

after the peace of Ghent, Gen. ('ass concluded a treaty with the 

Indian-, By which they gave up their claims to the land, except 
some reservations, and received an annual bounty. There was an 
Indian fanner appointed to teach them farming, but they made 
very indifferent farmers. Gen. Cushway, a Canadian Frenchman, 
was appointed as a blacksmith to repair their guns, and held his 
appointment several years, dying within a few years, at quite an 
advanced age. The Government also sent them two Methodist 
preachers, but the Indians sent them back, saying they would 
rather have another blacksmith. Kish-kaw-ko was subsequently 
imprisoned in Detroit as a drunken vagabond, and while there 
took poison, thus ending his unhappy life. 

"The Indians in this Valley lost all political significance. Once 
during the war of the Rebellion, the rumor was started that the 
Indians were assembling and arming themselves, but it caused 
very little alarm among the inhabitants of the Valley, as their 
courage and fighting qualities are now held in utter contempt by 
the white settlers. 

••Indians, as we saw them thirty years ago, and longer, were 
well built, swarthy, never handsome, prominent cheek bones, black 
coarse hair, no whiskers nor beard; their covering being a dark 
calico shirt reaching to the knees, the lower part of the legs 
incased in woolen leggings, the feet covered with moccasins; no 
covering of the head whatever, but now and then a long feather 
-tuck in the hair; while sometimes, but seldom, they had red, 
yellow or blue streaks painted on their faces. The women, ugly 
almost without an exception, wore a long calico dress, also mocca- 
sins but nothing else. Their babies — "papooses" — were encased 
in narrow shingle boards strapped upon their backs. They were 
very much given to loitering around, staring at everything, asking 
for anything that pleased them, which was generally bread, pork, 
and other things, but principally tobacco and whisky. They did 
not steal, and were not quarrelsome, even when drunk; but were 
altogether an inoffensive, harmless and worthless rabble, not at 
all romantic or picturesque. They lived by hunting and fishing, 
were considered very poor marksmen by the whites, who excelled 
in rifle-shooting, sold cranberries, whortleberries, baskets and moc- 
casins. The painting of their baskets with gay colors, and the 
embroidering of moccasins was the only approach they made 
toward the fine arts. They lived in their tents, or in huts made 
from bark, some in shanties, and even in log houses. Their 
farming consisted mostly of planting a little corn, by the 'squaws'. 
They spoke their own language, could understand English, and 
even speak it, but usually denied their knowledge of it. Some of 
them were Christianized by Methodistand Lutheran ministers, but 
they seemed very indifferent to religion. 

••Well, I am afraid 1 have devoted too much of my time to 
them : only allow me to describe 'pay-day' among them, and 
the conveying of the mail from Saginaw to Mackinaw in the win- 
ter season. 'Pay-day' was the great festival for the Indians, in 

14 



221 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

spring-time they receiving their annual bounty, which was four 
dollars (if I am not mistaken) for every man, woman and child. 
They assembled first in Saginaw City, and afterward in Midland. 
They pitched their tents on the vacant blocks, decorating them 
with flags. The streets swarmed with Indians full of fire-water. 
There was much jumping and running,- but no quarreling or fight- 
ing; so no precautionary measures were taken, or needed. The 
mails were carried on sleds made of a very few boards, two 
crooked branches serving as runners, and 10 or 12 dogs har- 
nessed to them 'tandem' fashion. The Indians ran at the sides of 
the sleds, almost 200 miles through an unbroken wilderness, 
through forests and swamps, over rivers and straits, to their des- 
tination. 

"In 1822, the Government established the fort at Saginaw, in 
the midst of Indians, a company of soldiers forming the garrison. 
Dr. Zina Pilcher was the first medical attendant. Life must then 
have been a burden, in the midst of the forests, far from all inter- 
course with civilized men, surrounded by malaria, tormented by 
millions of mosquitos; no wonder that the officers 'hankered' 
after the 'flesh-pots of Egypt,' and prayed to be relieved. 

"After one year the fort was given up, and the soldiers w r ent 
home. The principal fort stood on the Taylor House block; was 
a long, two-story log house, surrounded by stockades. A second 
one, similar in size and appearance, stood on Hamilton street, op- 
posite Molls' drug store, while a third was situated about half a 
mile north, between the river and Washington street. Two of 
them were inhabited as late as 1850, but were rather dangerous, 
and soon after torn down. One was used as a bonfire on a Fourth 
of July celebration, After the establishment of the fort, some 
settlers came into the Valley, locating mostly on, or near, the Tit- 
tabawassee river. In 1822, the first city was laid out on quite a 
modest plan, the streets running in the same manner as now, be- 
ing only 10 or 12 in number, and quite narrow. A few log houses 
were erected on Water street. 

"In 1837, a change came over the place. Norman Little, 
Mackey, Jennison, and some others formed a company, bought the 
city plot and the land adjoining, laid out the city on a large scale, 
built some houses, some of them at a very great expense, a hotel 
at a cost of 835,000, a large, four-story warehouse on the river, 
at a cost of $25,000, started a bank, issued bank notes with a red 
back, and on the face canal and steam-boats. The canal boats 
never came to the city, steam-boats only many years later. The 
canal was intended to join the Bad to the Looking-glass river, 
and in this way to connect the Grand and Saginaw rivers. Every- 
where was life, and speculation ran wild. Lots were held at a 
higher price than ever afterward. The glory of the new city did 
not last long. The panic came, and shattered all these air castles, 
the company became bankrupt, the settlers moved away, and de- 
cay was everywhere. In 1845 the German immigration to this 
valley began, and helped, directly, in clearing up the country, but 



HI8TOBY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 225 

more indirectly, by drawing the attention of outsiders to the riches 
of the forest and the soil, and in this way laid the foundation for a 
slow, but steady and solid improvement. The first Germans who 
came to this valley were three Westphalians, Henry StelgHder, 
long and well known as 'Dutch Henry, ' Tuerke and Sittereing, the 
date of their arrival being.about 1840. They found some work in 
the city, soon bought wild land on the 'cross-roads, 1 and made 
excellent farms of it. 'Dutch Henry' died a short time ago, at an 
advanced age. He was a model of a German farmer, a hard, 
steady worker, economical, a good neighbor, without any political 
ambition, but devoted to Lis Church — the Lutheran — which he as- 
sisted freely as far as his means would permit. The first meetings 
of thi- religious body were held at his house. Tuerke died many 
years ago. also at a very old age. Sittereing moved to Franken- 
muth when that township was organized. His three daughters 
married Americans, and are yet living in this county. 

•• A larger German emigration followed in 1845. They were 
inhabitants of Franconia and a portion of Bavaria, who felt them- 
Belves oppressed at home, and under the advice of Pastor Loehe 
decided to emigrate to America, to follow the Lutheran creed in 
all it- strictness, and, as far as possible, to convert the Indians. 
They cumbered 15 in all. under the guidance of Pastor Kraemer. 
Pastor Schmidt, of Ann Arbor, had selected for them a place on 
the Cass river, where they soon located, built a church, school and 
parsonage, and gave the settlement the name of Frankenmutli. 
They began to clear the land, and their chosen duty of converting 
the red man. but the latter soon left the neighborhood. The num- 
ber of the white settlers rapidly increased, until they now make a 
flourishing and thickly settled township. In 1*47 another colony' 
was formed, by a man from the same country, and of the same re- 
ligious denomination — Frankentrost. about 12 miles east of the Sag- 
inaw river, in the middle of the forest, no river near, no road 
leading to it for over 10 years. The soil was as rich as that of 
Frankenmuth. and was very flat and swampy. Malarious fevers 
increased; also the hardships of the "first settlement, and men, as 
well as women, were quickly worn out. 

••A third settlement. Frankenlust. was founded in 1848, by the 
Rev. Sievers, who resides there at the present time. This location 
Was by far better than that of Frankentrost, being only three miles 
from the site of Lower Saginaw mow Bay City), and no great diffi- 
culty to make new roads. Two more German settlements were 
founded in L850; Amelit and Prankenhuelfe. Quite a number of 
these settlers, mostly mechanics, moved into Saginaw City and 
Bay City, where they now have churches and schools. These col- 
onists were mostly small farmers and mechanics. The educated 
classes were represented by the ministers, teachers, several young 
matrons, and one physician. Dr. Koch, of Frankenmuth, who set- 
tled at the latter place in ls47. from Ragensburg. Bavaria. He 
was a very active man. with good, common sense, and worked so 
hard that at fin years of age he was entirely worn out. 



•_'2t'» HI8T0RY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

" These German settlers worked steadily on their farms, never 
taking any part in the lumber and salt interests of the Valley, and 
at present are in very comfortable circumstances. They are truly 
conservative in their religious lite and customs, ra politics invari- 
ably casting a heavy Democratic vote. The German language and 
customs will live longest among these settlers and their descend- 
ants. Those Franconians had never a pauper at the county farm. 
an<l only once or twice a criminal in the county jail. No small 
praise for a population ofnearly 1.0,000, and for over a period of 
:'>."» years. It is not likely that colonization from religious motives 
will take place again, religious liberty being more extended at the 
present time; hut their relations ami friends will follow them to their 
new home, and most likely scatter over the county. 

"In 1849 and the years following, another wave of emigration 
struck the shores of Saginaw river. Jn L848 there had been an 
uprising in Germany, tor liberty and unity, which wasfollowed 1>\ 
a severe and often bloody reaction. Many who had taken a more 
or less active ]>art in the revolution, left the old country and came 
to America. Michigan had at this time the only successful emi- 
gration agent, Mr. Thompson, of Flint, by whose influence many 
Germans were directed to Saginaw county. These settlers be- 
longed largely to the educated classes — lawyers, physicians, mer- 
chant-, manufacturers, army officers and others. A great many 
had fought in the revolutionary ranks in Baden, among others. 
Alherti. ( Mto. Fischer, Stuber. They came from all parts of Ger- 
many, hut among them were a large number ol Westphalians. 
The latter established a settlement of their own. called Cheboy- 
gonun, in the township of Blumficld, which latter received its name 
from a noted leader among the Germans. The first settlers there 
were Post, Van Vliet and Diekmann. It may be of some interest 
to recall how we found Saginaw City at this time, some 32 years 
ago. 

"The access was not easy. From the East to Detroit we could 
come very easily by railroad and steamer. From Detroit to Pon- 
tiac we rode on the railroad of that name. The engine looked like 
a large coffee mill; one car was attached, about as large as a street- 
car of to-day, which jumped from the strap-rails about every half- 
mile. All passengers then got out and assisted in replacing the 
car on the rails; so we made 26 miles in four hours. Bui the trip 
was not SO unpleasant as maybe supposed, for. on seeing many 
ripe blackberries, we left the car. gathered them, and went on 
hoard again. From Pontiac to Saginaw it took two days more, 
over very rough roads. The city of Easl Saginaw did not exist. 
On the north of the present city was a single farm-house; in a small 
clearing on the south, where are now located the city ^h works, 
was Buena Vista, containing the saw-mill, a small Doardine-house, 
three or four shanties, and the • Halls of the Montezumas. This 
was the residence of the owner. 0urti8 Emerson, remarkable for 
his eccentricities and gr*at thirst. Wesl Hay City did not exist, 
there being only one house near the river. Bay ( ity. or as it was 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 227 

commonly termed. ' Lower Saginaw,' had a hotel, the Campbell 
House, about half a dozen small frame houses and a dozen or more 
shanties. Zilwaukee had just been located and contained only 
one family, one house and three shanties. Carrollton consisted of 
a small log house. Saginaw City, the most pretentious place in 
the valley — the county seat then as now— had about 200 inhabi- 
tants; the big hotel was closed; the warehouse contained one stove, 
but was otherwise empty; several larger houses and also the build- 
ings of the fort were in a state of great decay; one small saw-mill 
at work; about a dozen frame houses and as many old huts. The 
river fleet consisted of one dilapidated stern-wheeler; roads were 
very few; one, the old Government road, led to Flint; and the river 
road from Saginaw City to Midland. Between Saginaw and Lower 
Saginaw there existed no road on either side of the river. The 
county was covered with heavy forests; was quite swampy; only 
small clearings, and the greater portion of those along the Tittaba- 
wassee river. 

" Living was very cheap, as far as game and fish were con- 
cerned — a full barrel of white lish costing two dollars, and a full 
grown deer about one dollar; but other things, which are com- 
monly considered the necessaries of life, were luxuries here. Flour 
came from Detroit, and sometimes not at all; fresh meat we had 
only when our only butcher. Hayden, killed a cow and sold the 
meat; when this was gone, he locked up the butcher shop again 
for the next three or four months. Beer and wine were very un- 
common, but whisky was plenty. The country had the name of 
being very unhealthy and deserved it in some respects. Malari- 
ous diseases, such as fever and ague, were very prevalent in the 
fall season, so that once in Bay City, out of a population of about 
120, I could not find a single person able to stand on his feet. 
Otherwise the country was very healthy; typhoid fevers unknown; 
consumption only imported, and even some very bad cases got well, 
and are living at the present time.. 

" Crime was at this time unknown; we had no jail and didn't 
want one. We had a poor-house, to be sure, and the keeper of it, 
Nelson Gerry, who held this position for several years, threw it up 
in disgust, when the first pauper was entered. Churches, we found 
none, there being one in Frankenmuth, but at entirely too great a 
distance. In the ; high times ' of Saginaw City, they had started 
everything except a Church. The first one built in any of the cities, 
was the Lutheran, of Saginaw City. 

"Life was quite pleasant here, there being many well educated 
people from New York, Massachusetts and New r Hampshire. 
School was held now and then, in a small building at Saginaw City. 
Only since 1852 has a change taken place for the better. The 
country contains a population made up of Americans, French, 
Canadians, a few Irish and the Germans. The Indians had wig- 
wams on the Tittabawassee, opposite Freehand, near the mouth of 
Swan creek, and at Chesaning and Taymouth, until they were 
removed to Isabella county. We cannot complain about the 



228 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Americans of this time; they were always kind and obliging-, and 
lent a helping hand where they could. Even such as were com- 
monly called "not over-honest,' were honest in their dealings 
with the Germans. The lawyers who came here all went to farm- 
ing, one receiving afterward a judicial office, which he held for 
many years, and to the present time, showing that he gives satis- 
faction to the people. . 

u Of the pioneer physicians, your speaker is the only survivor. 
Drs. Koch and Sauner died of old age; Drs. Francke and 
Fuchsius met with accidents, both of them being drowned in the 
Saginaw river, at different times; Doctor Bondaniels shot himself 
at East Saginaw. The army officers, of whom we had many, 
mostly belonging to the Austrian and Prussian armies, did not do 
very well; some got very poor, and all left the county years ago. 
To show to what hardships they were exposed, let me mention two 
brothers, formerly lieutenants in the Prussian army, and noble- 
men by birth. Once, during a storm, some neighbor visited them. 
Pie could find neither until he heard a voice, and found that each 
one had overturned a barrel, crept in with the upper part of the 
body, let the lower limbs stay out, the latter being covered with 
high boots, all the time the rain pouring through the roof in great 
sheets. The other men of '48 mostly went to farming, and are 
usually termed ' Latin farmers, ' because they understood Latin 
better than farming. They found farming twice as hard as oth- 
ers on account of their inexperience, and their being unused to 
bodily labor. 

l " In 1854, the German Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was 
organized, which is in existence now. Later, but not in pioneer 
times, the German lodges of I. O. O. F. and K. of H. were cre- 
ated. The first Turnverein was established at East Saginaw, and 
soon required a hall. Out of it grew the singing and the school 
sections. It was subsequently merged into the Society Germania, 
giving to the latter those splendid buildings and gardens of their 
own that form the center of all German life. In the same way, 
in 1857, was the Turnverein of Saginaw City established. Soon 
followed the Singverein and the Schulverein, which afterward were 
merged into the Verein Teutonia. The Arbeiter Yereins were es- 
tablished at a later period, and are doing a very successful work 
in relieving the sick, the widows and orphans of their members. 

"In 1858, a militia company was formed at Saginaw City. Dr. 
Francke was the first Captain. Under Capt. Henry Miller, they 
formed Co. K of the 5th Keg. Mich. Yol. Inf., the so-called 
'Fighting Fifth.' Many of the members were left on the bloody 
battle-fields of the 'Old Dominion/ Another company was formed 
at East Saginaw, which, under Capt. Emil Moores, formed part of 
the 2d Reg. Mich. Yol. Inf. Many other Germans joined other 
regiments of this and adjoining States. All the men did their 
duty bravely, and many gave their lives for the preservation ot 
their adopted country. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 229 

••In the following years, the emigration to tins county came in 
a large measure from the northern portion of Germany and Lower 
Germany, bnt mostly from the Province of Pomerania and the 
States of Mecklenburg. They arc a healthy, strong, industrious 
and economical set of men; work for a t'rw years in the saw-mills 
and salt works, then with their savings buy some wild land, cut 
the trees into cord-wood, at the same time clearing their farms, and 
soon get a moderate competence. 

••At the close of my speech, which may have been tedious to 
many of you. let me ask. and try to answer, two questions. The 
tirst one — Did we do well in coming here ? did we find what we 
were in search of ? The second — Has our coming here benefited 
the county and the State? The first one can only be answered 
from individual experience, but I believe it ought to be answered 
with -yes." If any one came here with the hope to find a new 
'Eldorado' where he could get rich, mighty and powerful without 
work, he found himself deceived, and deserved no better fate. 
But any one who wanted to work, to keep his expense within 
bounds, soon saw the bitter care for daily food flee him; saw him- 
self able to furnish not only subsistence, but the decencies of life 
for those who depended upon him, and he felt himself a man— a 
h-w man — an equal of the best. In politics, even if not all our 
desires are fulfilled, we find a great step forward from the 'Old 
Faderland.' It is the opinion of the majority of the settlers that 
no one of them returned by his own choice to Germany; that such 
as went there, even with the purpose of remaining, came back very 
quickly, and don't talk any more about their visions of staying 
there. 

"The second question I believe I can also answer with 'yes.' 
The Germans learned a great deal from the Americans — enter- 
prise and self dependence; hut the Americans have also learned 
something from the Germans — steadiness of purpose and honesty 
to the trusts reposed in them. The American settler was far 
ahead of his German neighbor during the first years, hut after 10 
years the tables have turned, and tie- Germans are leading. As a 
proof of tins, compare the adjoining towns of Frankenmuth and 
Bridgeport. Honesty to the trust imposed upon them, is shown. 
by the fact that although we have had many defaulters in public 
offices, not one of them was a German. A great many held offices 
of consequence, as treasurers, sheriffs, register of deeds, etc. 
The German members of the Hoard of Supervisors are respected 
and influential. Of city offices the Germans have had their share 
— chiefly of such as gave plenty of work and no income, viz.: 
Water. Cemetery, School, Fire and Poor .Hoards. 

•■I. ft us devote our time a- we have done so far, to the welfare 
of our county, so that our nation may become ;i wise, free and 
powerful one, and this Republic a model for all countries to imi- 
tate. For this purpose let as work and strive, each one for him- 
self, and tor all. 1 * 



230 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



There is every probability that the organization will be con- 
tinued; that it will be free from all these petty disagreements which 
oftentimes creep into such societies is to be hoped. Let nativeism 
be observed at its meetings and in the households of its members; 
let it be forgotten in politics and trade, and the welfare of the or- 
ganization is a certainty. 




CHAPTER VI. 

8KETCHES OF HISTORY. 

In local history, a large number of important events have to be 
recorded, some of which claim a detailed account, others merely a 
mention. In the former instance a chapter may be devoted to 
each topic, while in the latter it is only necessary for the writer to 
-roup all in one section or chapter of the book. Here, then, will 
he treated smaller items which go to make up a county history. 
Each of them gained some attention from the people of the past. 
some of them are known to those of the present, and all will be 
instructive to the coming generations. 

ERA OF TERRITORIAL ROADS. 

Some years after the great western highway to Chicago was laid 
otl. the Council of the Territory directed some attention to the 
northern districts, and declared. " that there shall be established 
a Territorial road from Mt. Clemens up the north branch of the 
Clinton, following as near as practicable the route of an old sur- 
vey, to Romeo, thence on the most elegible and direct route to the 
to the seat of justice in the county of Lapeer; thence to the seat 
of justice in the county of Saginaw; thence to the northern ex- 
tremity of the Peninsula; thence to the Sault Ste. Marie in the 
county of Chippewa. The commissioners appointed to establish 
this great thoroughfare were Daniel L. Roy, Horace H. Cady and 
Nathaniel Squires. If thev were unable to perform the entire 
duty, they were instructed to establish the road, at least, as far as 
the seat of justice in Saginaw county. This authority was given 
by a Legislative enactment under date of March 4, 1831, and the 
duty of the commissioners carried out faithfully so that within the 
succeeding year the northern highway was open to immigrants. 
Within the 12 months succeeding, the people of the township 
of the county of Saginaw desired to lay out township road-. 
Eleazer Jewett was appointed deputy county surveyor. 

The earliest records of road surveys made- in Saginaw township, 
are reviewed as follows: 

A survey of a road from Saginaw to the Tittabawassee river was 
made by Eleazer Jewett, April 12, 1832. This roadway extended 
a distance of 11 miles and 9.57 chains from a point near the cor- 
ners of sections ISTos. 23, 24, 25 and 26, township 12 north, range 
1 east, to a point one chain east of the east bank of the Tittabawas- 
see in section 2. township 12 north, range 3 east, 



232 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The next survey was that of the alteration of the Green Point 
road. This survey began at a point one chain south of the line 
between townships 11 and 12, and 31 chains west of the corners of 
sections 3 and 4, township 11 north R. 4 east, and sections 33 and 
34, township 12 north, R. 4 east, to the intersection of the Saginaw 
and Tittabawassee roads. 

The third road began at the division line of the southwest fractional 
•J of section 13, township 12 north, R. 3 east, following the west 
side of the Tittabawassee, to the road leading up that river, a 
distance of 73.08 chains. 

The fourth road, surveyed in April, 1S32, was that beginning on 
the S. and T. road on a line with the division line of section 26, 
township 12 north, R. 4 east, and running 4 miles and 20 chains 
to a point on the Tittabawassee road opposite Abram Whitney's 
homestead. 

In September, 1833, a road was surveyed from a point on the 
east bank of the river in a line with the road, which ran between 
the houses of the Williams brothers, to a point on a line with the 
Detroit and Saginaw turnpike. 

In March, 1834, the road from G. D. & E. S. Williams' store 
to Green Point was laid out. 

The survey of a road from the extreme point of the confluence of 
the Shiawassee and Tittabawassee rivers to a point near Stephen 
Benson's house, was reported at the same time. 

The eighth road laid oft' was that from a point near the old shop 
of Thomas Palmer in the lower village of Saginaw to Newcomb's 
house, a distance of 265.44 chains. 

Road No. 9 was surveyed from the head of Saginaw river, along 
the east bank, to the Detroit turnpike on section No. 1. This, with 
a road starting on the line between sections Nos. 25 and 36, town- 
si lip 12 north, range 4 east, where the Pontiac and Saginaw turn- 
pike was then supposed to pass, to section 18, township 12 north 
range 5 east, was laid off in September, 1S34. The last road sur- 
veyed by Deputy Surveyor Jewett was that from a point near the 
fork of the Tittabawassee to a point in section 19, township 14 
north, range 2 east, laid oft Oct. 25, 1S34. 

The county was organized in 1835, Mr. J.ewett ceased to act as 
deputy to the county surveyor of Oakland, and was appointed sur- 
veyor of the new county of Saginaw. The description of his first 
survey, under authority of the JbJoard of Commissioners, is as fol- 
lows: " Minutes of the survey of a road starting from a point 
where road No. 8 commences; thence north 50 ° east, 36.50 chains; 
north, 39 ° east, 10.86 chains; north 29 ° east, 14.50 chains; north 
16 ° east, 9 chains; north, 11 ° east, 18.50 chains; north 80 ° east, 
5 chains; to the section line between sections 13 and 24, township 
12 north, of range 4 east; variation 2 J ° east." This bears date 
Jan. 8, 1836, and appears to have been the first road surveyed 
under authority of the home government. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 233 

EARLY MILLING. 

The early settlers "1 the valley substituted cracked corn or corn- 
meal for wheat flour. The corn-dodger held the same relation to 
them which the wheaten loaf does to the people of the present. 
The establishment of the village mills by the Williamses did not 
abolish this article of food, it tended rather to increase its popu- 
larity, since cracked corn was more easily obtained. In 1834 the 
settlers desired to change this corn food for something more sub- 
stantial, and almost universally raised wheat during that year. 
During the year 1835 many went forth with a sack of grist to 
Flushing, or perhaps to Pontiac, with the intention of haying the 
wheat ground; but owing to the old-time manner of doing business, 
the miller was not always quite ready to perform the work, or 
perhaps the custom work was so large that one had to wait some 
days or weeks for his "turn." 

It is related that one of the early settlers left his home for the 
purpose of haying a grist of wheat ground; reached Flushing, and 
there learned that his ''turn" might come in a week or two. Dis- 
appointed and angry, he started for Pontiac. only to learn from 
the miller, that he might come in two or three days. Here he 
was determined to stay until that wheat which he carried so far 
was converted into flour. Anxiety urged him to visit the mill often 
during the afternoon and night of his arrival, and one of such 
visits led to the most unexpected and satisfactory results, at least 
for him. Night came on; the miller slept so soundly that he did 
not hear the alarm which gave signal when the supply ran out. 
Not so the northern settler; he heard it, rushed for his grist, cast 
it into the supply bin, satisfied the alarm, and received his flour. 
He did not halt to wake up the sleeping miller, but running for 
his oxen, started that night for his home. 

Even after this, men continued to run all the risks of traveling 
many miles through the wilderness to procure wheaten Hour. 
Many settlers went to the old Thread mill near Flint City, and 
were agreeably surprised to find everything in readiness there to 
prepare their grist. Urged by the fortune which attended some 
of those who went there, Murdoch Frazer ventured forth with his 
ox team, and 30 bushels of wheat. To his horror he found the 
well known Thread mill in the hands of a millwright, who assured 
him it could not be made ready for grinding before six days. He 
proeeedrd thence to the Flushing mill, where another delay had 
to be endured; however, there he was fortunate to get his grist 
ground, and was enabled to return to his settlement on the tenth 
or eleventh day. Those delays cost him half of the wheat; so that 
on his return he possessed only so much flour as formed the 
product of 12 or 13 bushels. In those early days few, if any. of 
the settlers escaped such Losses and annoyance-. 



234 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

FIRST FERRY. 

July 14, 1830, Gov. Cass approved an act empowering the 
justices of the County Court of Oakland, or a majority of them to 
grant unto E. Jewett, of " Sagana," or to such' other person as 
they may think proper, a license to keep a ferry over the "Sagana" 
river at Green Point, for any period of time not exceeding 10 
years, with such privileges, and under such restrictions as may be 
deemed necessary and proper to secure the establishment of such 
ferry and to protect the rights of the citizens. The act provided that 
as soon as the county Court should be established in the county of 
Saginaw, the justices thereof should be invested with the same 
powers in this regard as are now conferred upon the justices of 
Oakland. The legislative authority of the Territory reserved full 
power to annul or alter the powers and privileges which might be 
granted by the courts of Oakland or Saginaw. 

SECOND REGULAR FERRY. 

The Legislature enacted in April, 1833, that Gardner D. Will- 
iams and Ephraim S. Williams may claim the exclusive right of 
conveying persons, property and animals across the Saginaw river, 
for hire, at a point where the Tittabawassee road strikes the river, 
near the store of Williams. The rates of toll were specified, with 
a proviso that mail-carriers, public expresses, and troops in the 
service of the United States, or of Michigan Territory, With guns, 
stores, etc., should pass free. 

At the same period the Williams brothers were authorized to cut 
a canal across the island or neck of land, as would enable them to 
pursue a direct course in ferrying across the river. 

FIRST THINGS. 

Asa Wriitney and Eleazer Jewett set out the first orchard in the 
county. They selected the best sprouts from the apple-trees which 
the Indians had set out many years before, and bringing them to 
their location on the Tittabawassee (section 5), planted the orchard. 

Mr. Jewett brought the first swine from Pontiac to Saginaw in 
1828. The Indians considered it great fun to kill the hogs when- 
ever opportunity offered; but owing to the watchfulness of the 
owners the noble redmen were not generally successful. 

In 1832, Eleazer Jewett rafted down the river a quantity of 
lumber* which he purchased at Flint, and raised a frame building, 
the first in the county, on the east bank of the river, opposite Green 
Point. Five years later, in the winter of 1837, lie moved this 
house across the ice, and located it near the Campeau trading-post 
opposite Wright & Company's mills. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 235 

The first brick dwelling-house ever erected in the county was that 
1,\ George W. Bullock, located on Court street, Saginaw City. 

The first mill was the one constructed in l s 3-l by Harvey Will- 
iams, situate where is now the "Williams Bros' Salt Block. The 
first lnmber sawed in that old mill was subsequently bought by 
Niormau Little. 

The first raft of pine lumber ever floated on the Saginaw or its 
tributaries is said to have been that brought from the Thread mill 
at Flint in 1832 by Eleazer Jewett, for the purpose of constructing 
his house opposite Green Point. 

The first white farmer was Asa Whitney, who began cultivating 
a garden in the spring of 1826. In referring to him a pioneer 
said he ••commenced farming on the Tittabawassee, near where 
Thomas Parker now reside-." He was a bachelor, and was 
accidentally drowned in the spring of 1827. 

Alpheus Williams and Joel Day cut the first logs for milling 
purposes, in 1834, below the mouth of Tobacco creek. 

The first regular sale of sawed lumber made in the Valley, was 
that by Harvey, G. D. & E. S. Williams, to Korman Little. 

The only survivors of all the American pioneers in the Territory 
of Michigan in 1815. are the grandchildren of Oliver Williams, 
of whom the Williams brothers are members, and Pncle Harvey 
Williams, son of Alpheus Williams. 

As late as 1859, 1,000,000 acres of land in the Valley of the Sagi- 
naw, were subject to entry at from 12^- cents to $1.25 per acre. 
The State placed the minimum price of salt-spring lands at £4 per 
acre, leaving the selling price of improved salt land to be deter- 
mined by the State's commissioner. 

Till: BLACE HAWK WAB 

did not exercise that baneful influence over the few settlers of this 
valley which it did throughout the settlements on Grand river. 
or south and southwest of Detroit. It is questionable whether the 
settlers paid much more attention to the exaggerated accounts of the 
advance of Black Hawk's warriors than they would lothe reported 
attack on Drasnovitcheborsk by the prince of Kharizanlinkskoi. 
Consequently they saved themselves much tr. >uble and all the 
petty annoyances which civilians encounter in taking the field as 
militia. 

A few men. who subsequently made Saginaw their home, were 
prepared to go to the front; among them were Captains Marsac and 
Swarthout; but even their warrior zeal was checked when they 
learned that Pdack Hawk and his men were prisoners. In the final 
encounter with the Indians on the Mississippi, Black Hawk surren- 
dered, was imprisoned from 1832 until 1835, and about three years 
after his pardon was granted he died on the banks of the Des 
Moines in Iowa, and was buried in Davis county in that State. 



236 



HISTOBY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



STORE PRICES IN 1831-2. 

Gradually the old-time trading post of the A. F. Co. gave place 
to the more cizilized pioneer store. Those were little bee-hives of 
industry. Every necessary article, as well as a few luxuries, were 
kept in stock, and business conducted on well-defined principles. 
The following is a list of prices: 

Whisky per gallon 

Young Hyson Tea, per lb. 

Coffee 

Pepper 

Cloves 

Allspice 

Nutmegs 

Men's boots 

Boys' brogans 

Venison hams 

Beeswax 

Meat of one coon 

Sugar 

Indian knife 

Small bell 

Large bell 

Fisher skin 

Muskrat 

Pocket pistol 

Pocket hkf. 

Blue cloth, per yd. 

Shawl 

It appears from this that the word " shilling " was in use among 
the Indians, as in the foregoing list the price of all the small articles 
is marked in shillings and pence. In 1831 one of the store-keepers 
introduced the words "dollars and cents," and henceforth the 



s 


d 




s d 


2 


9 


Skein cotton thread 


6 


9 


6 


Plaid factory, per yd. 


2 


1 


6 


Blanket 


36 


2 





Martin skin 


8 


8 





Calico, per yd. 


1 6 


g 


6 


Arm bands, per pair 


32 


18 





Socks, per pair 


2 


24 





Brown shirting 


1 


8 





The meat of one small deer 


8 


2 





skates, per pair 


4 


1 


8 


Buckskin 


14 


2 





1 brl. flour 


$7.31 




6 


1 bush, corn 


1.00 


2 





Tobacco, per lb. 


.25 


6 





Fish-hooks, per 100 


1.25 


24 





Pork 


.10 


8 





Hog, weighing 204 lbs. 


12.24 


2 





Brl. potatoes 


1.12H 


6 





Beef, per lb. 


my 2 


5 


6 


Salt pork, per lb. 


.10 


24 





Pay for splittiug 1,000 rails, 


5 to 7.50 


7 










ambiguous term 



shilling " fell into disuse. 



SEASONS OF SICKNTESS. 

Among the numerous troubles which the pioneers of Saginaw 
had to encounter was the common ague, generated by miasms 
arising from the lowlands along the bank of the river, and from 
the decaying vegetable matter of swales in the vicinity. This dis- 
ease, known also as the " chills and fever," formed a stumbling 
block in the path of progress, being one of the great arguments 
presented by the American Fur Company against the settlement 
of the district by the American pioneers. This disease was a ter- 
ror to the men who did come here. In the fall of the year every 
one was afflicted, every one shook. Respecting neither the rich 
nor the poor, it entered summarily into the system of the settlers 
and became part and parcel of their existence. They all looked 
pale and yellow as if frostbitten. It was not literally contagious, 
but owing to the general diffusion of the terrible miasma which 
was so easily absorbed into the system, it was virtually a most dis- 
agreeable, if not dangerous, epidemic. The noxious exhalations of 



MI -TORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 237 

the swamps continued to bo inhaled or absorbed from day to day 
until the whole body became charged with it as with electricity, 

and then the shock came. This was a regular shake. — a terrific 
shake, with a fixed beginning and ending, coming on each dav or 
alternate day. with an appalling regularity. After the shake came 

the fever, and this last state was even more dreaded than the first. 
It was a burning, hot fever, lasting for hours. When you had the 
chill vim could not get warm, and when you had the fever you 
could' not get cool. It was a change of extremes. 

This disease was despotic in every respect. If a wedding- 
occurred in the family circle, it was sure to attack a few if not all 
those participating in the festivities. The funeral processionists 
shook as they marched onward to some sequestered spot where 
the body of their departed friend was to be laid. The ague 
proper had no respect for Sundays or holidays. Whether they 
were engaged in the sacred, the profane, or the ridiculous, it 
came forward to the attack, and generally prostrated its victims. 
After the fever subsided, you felt as if you were some months in 
such a prison as Andersonville, or Lobby, and, in come cases, as if 
y< >u luul come in collision with a wandering planet, — not killed out- 
right, but so demoralized that you could enjoy nothing. A feeling 
of languor, stupidity and soreness took possession of the body. 
the soul was sad, and the sufferer was forced to ask himself that 
criminal question, What did God send me here for anyway? 
Your back was out of fix, and your appetite was crazy. Your 
head ached, and your eyes glared. You did not care a straw for 
yourself or other people, or even for the dogs, who looked at you 
sympathetically. The sun did not shine as it used to, — it looked 
too sickly by half, — and the moon, bless your soul! the sufferer 
never ventured to look at it. In fine, you heartily wished that 
Mother Shipton's prophecy would be fulfilled and this portion of 
our planet, at least, dissolved. 

It was no wonder, after all, that the American Fur Company's 
officers looked most unfavorably upon the country, and cautioned 
all against coming here. 

The detachment of the 3d U. S. Infantry garrisoning the Sagi- 
naw Fort in 1822-'3, realized what chills and fever really meant. 
It was here that Baker, Allen, and a half-dozen soldiers fell vic- 
tims to it. It was from it that Major Baker and his troops tied, 
ami. owing to it, the settlement of Saginaw was retarded fully six 
year-. 

THE REIGN OF SMALL-POX. 

In referring to the settlement of James McCormick on the 
Flint river, it has been stated that his kindness alone to the 
Indians saved many bands from death by starvation. Later, about 
the year 1837, the dreadful scourge known as small-pox spread 
through the villages of the Saginaw and claimed, as its victims almost 
two-thirds of the Indian inhabitants, sparing the white settlers in 



238 HISTOEY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

its march, with only three exceptions. Eighteen years later, in 
February, 1853, a citizen of Saginaw related the story of famine 
and pestilence in immortal verse. As this poem is so minute in its 
description and historical characteristics, it is given, as follows: — 

Not far from where our Union meets to-night, 

Two lovely rivers their broad streams unite; 

The one through prairies broad, where wild rice grows, 

The other from the hills of Midland flows: 

Through verdant vales and forests wide they run. 

And like loved spirits "mingle into one," 

Amd form a river fair as man e'er saw, 

Our loved, our lovely crystal Saginaw. 

A broad green belt of fertile bottom land, 

Converges gently from the golden strand ; 

Its borders fringed with stately elm and willow, 

While far as the eye can reach, around is seen 

Waving luxuriantly the prairie green. 

A scene more sylvan I ne'er viewed before, 

So eloquent with savage legendary lore.- 

It was the month — fairest of all — of lovely June, 

When the sweet air was laden with perfume 

Of budding floweret;, gorgeous prairie rose 

Which round the scene in wild profusion flows. 

Aud many a feathered songster perched on tree. 

Warbled ia sweetest strain its minstrelsy. 

The timid deer, emerging from the wood, 

Gazed on his shadow in the crystal flood ; 

Or his lithe limbs in playful sport did lave, 

Or drank refreshment from its limpid wave. 

On wing of gossamer, the busy bee. 

From forest home, ia distant hollow tree, 

Gathered the sweets from many an open flower, 

To deck with wealth his home in sylvan bower. 

Amid a grove of elms in the cool shade, 

An Indian band, its rude encampment made ; 

And in the shadow of its branches green 

Were warrior, chieftain, children, and maiden seen. 

Here were old brave3 in social circle met, 

Smoking in silence grave the calumet. 

Or here on withes distended, dressed the skin 

For hunting shirt or graceful moccasin. 

The infant savage, rocking to and fro, 

Its cradle pendant from overhanging bough, 

Fanned by each gentle zephyr that passed by. 

While murmuring breezes sung its lullaby. 

The patient wife toiling o'er mortar rude, 

Crushing the gnin to form their simple food. 

While other forms the lurid fires revealed. 

Preparing for the tribe their evening meal. 

Suspended from the bough, o'er rustic couch, 

Hang the dreaded rifle, tomahawk, and pouch, 

Aud implements for fishing lying near— 

The glittering fly, the net, the barbed spear. 

The warrior circle, seated on the ground, 

The frugal meal was served — the pipe passed round. 

The shades of evening gathered o'er the west, 

And chieftain, maid, and warrior sunk to rest. 

It was the soft and solemn hour, 

When silence reigned over lake and bower, 

The silver moon in grandeur led 

The starry host, and mildly shed 



.1 





H^_^A^A^C fySdvnJj 



HI8T0BT OF -Ai.INAW COUNTY. 24J 

Its refluent and unclouded light 
Resplendent on the tranquil night. 
And myriads of stars thai move, 
< Obedient to the pow< r above, 
Holding their silent intercourse 
Onward in their aerial course. 
Forever sparkling pure and bright 
'Mid regions of crystal light. 
The hour when lovers love to meet. 
In sweel .'in iii-acc. in converse sweet . 
W bispering love's tale to listening ears, 
Theirfondest hopes— their wildest fears 
\\ hen lips meet lips, in raptured bliss, 
In passion'8 deep and fervid kiss; 
When hearts in rapture fondly blend, 
And dream not that such moments end; 
The swelling breast, the bursting sigh, 
Love wildly beaming from each eye, 
Hand clasped in hand and heart to heart, 
In smiles to meet, in tears to pail, — 
Alas! They cannot last for ever; 
Time, chance, or fate may soon dissever; 
I hen in those eye-, we love are starting 
The pearly tear-drop shed at parting. 
Gemmed like the morning flower with dew ■ 
One last embrace, one kiss — adieu! 

If was the hour when on his cot, 

No more repining o'er his lot, 

The toil-worn lab'rer in repose, 

Forgetful of his many woes; 

And t -vrvy sense is buried deep 

In sweet forgetfulness of sleep, 

No saddening thought obtruding there, 

I'" tester with corroding care; 

Xo dreams of dark ambition wake 

Hi- senses from their tranquil state. 

Sleep on: Let no fear beguile, 

For vice would quail beneath that smile 

W inch on his lips re>ts playfully— 

Proof of the heart's tranquillity. 

Not so with those who nursed "in power, 

\\ ho boast a kingdom for a dower, 
The wealthy poor, the poorly great— 
The beggar kin-s of many a state 
Boasting a long ancestral line, 
And ruling by a "right divine;" 
The slaves of fortune or of power, 
But seldom realize an hour 
' m gentle peace, of tranquil rest, 
bike that which (ill- the poor man's br. 
Sleep on ! The eye of Heaven will keep 
It- guardian watch upon thy sleep. 

The moon -hone -oft from its meridian height 
Bathing the Indian cam]) with humid !i>rlii~~ 
When on the night air, wildly there arose 
A -hriek that startled each from his re] 

_er threatened their beloved chief. 
And each in haste drew near to his relief. 
Stricken and low by some strange malady, 
To them unknown, and knowing not the remedy 
In vain their prophet chanted incantations 
Or in their mystic rite- performed oblations 

15 



242 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

In vain their medicine man his knowledge tried. 
The strange disease his remedies defied, 
And ere the morning dawn the chieftain died. 
In consternation dread, they formed his hier, 
And o'er his grave in silence shed a tear. 
But ere another sun had passed away, 
The chieftain's wife and children stricken lay. 
Each day increased the horror and the dread, 
As through their camp the dire contagion spread; 
It seamed that fate with unrelenting hand, 
Had doomed the remnant of their fated band. 
In vain when, racked with pain, the sufferer cried 
For help from those untouched — it was denied. 
Fear held them spell-bound, palsied every sense ; 
To aid was to incur the pestilence. 

When writhed the warrior, hadst thou seen 

The conquering anguish on his mien ; 

In the last struggle of his stalwart frame, 

His dauntless courage not e'en death could tame ; 

His longing; eyes fixed on his fragile wife, 

So loved, alas! the dismal wreck of life; 

How as his glazing eyes meet hers in death, 

He heaved a bitter sigh with his last breath ; 

The last fond look bestowed on things below, 

He winged his spirit's flight to " Manito. " 

And near him his attenuated wife, 

In the last struggle of departing life, 

With deep despair, tore from her anguished breast 

The lovely baby that knew no other rest; 

Lest the foul breath of dire pestilence — 

As yet unstricken — soon might bear it hence, 

While others prayed for death, in shrieking prayer. 

And others raved — the madness of despair; 

And many a wandering brain, by fever wrought, 

The burning tongue the crystal waters sought; 

Exhausted fell ere they could reach the wave, 

No hand to help them and no friend to save. 

In vain the mother cried, the child, the daughter, 

For one sweet drop, a simple cup of water ; 

While those who reached it with remaining breath, 

Took their last drop and quivering sank in death. 

To us in health, it seemed a little thing, 

To have some friend a cup of water bring ; 

Yet when 'tis proffered unto feverish lips 

Worn by disease, and these its coolness sips, 

Of sweet refreshments, it will give 

Strength to the weak, and make the eye revive ; 

Will give a shock of pleasure to the frame, 

Robbing disease of many a throbbing pain. 

It is a trifling thing to speak a phrase 

Of common comfort, or of little praise ; 

By almost daily use its sense nigh lost ; 

Sweet drop of comfort, at but little cost,. 

Y&> on the ear of him who thought to die 

Without one gentle word, one pitying sigh ; 

To perish by himself, unmourned, alone : — 

On such an ear will sympathy's sweet tone 

Fall like sweet music from the distant spheres, 

And the glazed eyes overflow with crystal tears : 

Relax the knotted hand, and palsied frame, 

To feel the bonds of fellowship again. 

And e'en when death his sad pilgrimage seals, 

'Tis joy to know that there is one who feels, 

That one of the great family is near 

To shed a tear of pity over his bier. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW C0U5TT 243 

Not thus the dying savage thai Lay 

Upon the shore, at Green Point, on that day. 
« Those left untouched by raging pestilence, 
Di'eading the awful malady, fled hence; 
Shed on the sufferers one pitying sigh, 
One frenzied Look, and left them there to die. 
And when the day was ended, and the nighl 
Refulgenl with the moon's unclouded light, 
And twinkling stars thai gemmed the heavens above. 
Looked down upon the scene with eyes of love, 
The solitude was broken by the howling 
Of the fierce wolf, around the stricken prowling. 
These, and the noisome buzzard oi"the w r ood, 
Feasted on those unburied by the flood. 

And thus they died! the beautiful, the brave! 
Some on the river bank, some in its wave; 
No kindred arm outstretched to aid or save; 
No hand, alas! to furnish even a grave ! 
And now as Indian maid, or children glide 
In light canoe upon the silver tide; 
In solemn silence and with recumbent head, 
They pass this gpot with undissembled dread. 
And to the " Spirit Great," ascends a prayer 
For those who suffered, they who perished there. 

i 

This dreadful disease followed the tribe in their wanderings, and 
carried oft* great numbers of the old inhabitants of Saginaw, in 
May, 1 So-i. desolating their villages in their reserves on the shores 
of Lake Superior. 

TORNADO, ETC. 

Perhaps the best remembered as well as the most extraordinary 
phenomenon was that which took place in December, 1835. On 
Christmas day of that year a heavy fall of snow covered the 
fro/en ground, which was followed on the 20th by a mist, and this 
was succeeded in turn by a drizzling rain. The rain ceased sud- 
denly, the clouds lowered, grew dark and assumed such appear- 
ances as would lead the spectator to believe the end of the world to 
be at hand. The storm king at length broke loose, swooped down 
from the northwest in black night, uprooting trees, sweeping every- 
thing in his track, and carrying with him such a current of icy air 
that men and animals not then in shelter were frozen. This 
stonn was as sudden as it was strange and unaccountable. It is 
remembered by the <>hl settlers, and forms for them a mark on the 
page of time. 

The comet ami wandering star created some excitement in the 
settlement, which soon died away. 

DEES IXIAUSTUS. 

Scarcely two months after the treaty of Saginaw was signed the 
" Black 1 )av *' rose upon the Indians. On the morning of Sunday, 
Nov. 8, 1819, the sun rose upon a cloudy sky, which assumed, as 



244 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

the light grew upon it, a strange greenish tint, varying in places 
to an inky blackness. After a short time the whole sky became 
terribly dark, dense black clouds tilling the atmosphere, and 
there followed a heavy shower of rain, which appeared to be 
something of the nature of soap-suds, and was found to have 
deposited after settling a substance in all its qualities resembling- 
soot. Late in the afternoon the sky cleared to its natural aspect, 
and the next day was fine and frosty. On the morning of Tues- 
day, the 10th, heavy clouds again covered the sky, and changed 
rapidly from a deep green to a pitchy black, and the sun, when 
occasionally seen through them, was sometimes of a dark brown 
or an unearthly yellow color, and again bright orange, and even 
blood red. The clouds constantly deepened in color and density, 
and later on a heavy vapor seemed to descend to the earth, and 
the day became almost as dark as night, the gloom increasing and 
diminishing most fitfully. The French traders and Indians were 
more or less alarmed, and many were the conjectures as to the 
cause of the remarkable occurrence. The more sensible thought 
that the immense woods or prairies were on fire somewhere to the 
west ) others said that a great volcano must have broken out in 
the province ; the superstitious quoted an old Indian prophecy 
that one day the Peninsula was to be destroyed by an earthquake, 
and some even cried that the world was about to come to an end. 
About the middle of the afternoon a great body of clouds seemed 
to rush suddenly over the valley and the darkness became that of 
night. A pause and hush for a moment or two succeeded, and 
then one of the most glarling flashes of lightning ever beheld 
named over the country, accompanied by a clap of thunder which 
seemed to shake the very earth. Another pause followed, and 
then came a light shower of rain of the same soapy and sooty 
nature as that two days before. After that it appeared to grow 
brighter, but an hour later it was as dark as ever. Another rush 
of clouds came, and another vivid flash of lightning, which was 
seen to strike a tall pine tree near the Indian camp ground. 

A moment later came the climax of the phenomenon. The sky 
above and around was as black as ink, but right in one spot, in 
mid air above them, the lightning rushed in a circle, then forward 
and was not seen again. But the darkest hour comes just before 
dawn. The glow above gradually subsided and died out, the 
people grew less fearful and returned to their homes, the real night 
came on, and when next morning dawned everything vi as bright 
and clear, and the world was as natural as before. The phenomenon 
was noticed in a greater or less degree throughout the northern 
portion of the continent. 

4 

THE BIG SNOW. 

The tradition of the Indians points out the years 1755 and 1775 as 
the winters of the great snow. These severe storms sweeping over 
the peninsula, within a period of 20 years, destroyed great numbers 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 245 

of forest animal-, the bones of which in after years literally encum- 
bered the ground. Within the pioneer period the snow of 1 822-'23 
was the heaviest. It fell to a depth of four feet on the level, and was 
accompanied with such a cold atmosphere that the deer, wolves 
and bears perished before its withering advance. In 1830-'31 the 
snow-storms set in early in November, and continued throughout 
tin- month, destroying tin.- forest animals, and inflicting upon the 
settler many severe trials. In the month of August, 1831, a frost 
-ft in which brought in its train many serious troubles, and almost 
tempted the settlers to evacuate a land where the climate was so 
eccentric in its chang 

A METEOR. 

The meteor seen Xov. 1. 1857, at 8 o'clock, passing southward, 
proved to have been a very remarkable one. It was visible at 
various places in the State. It seemed to pass over very nearly 
the center of the peninsula. It was seen at Jackso ■•. Lansing and 
also in Eaton county, and probably very generally through the 
central part of the State, where it appeared much larger and more 
brilliant than here, and was followed by a sharp, rumbling sound 
like thunder, supposed to be the report of an explosion of the/neteor. 

THE COMET. 

This strange visitor, belonging to that numerous but erratic 
family whose movements are carefully and correctly noted by as- 
tronomers, and the time of whose entrances and exits is a matter of 
mathematical certainty, appeared to the people of Saginaw on the 
evening of June 30, 1861. Whatever may be its attributes and 
peculiarities, one thing is certain, it had no rivals in the cometline, 
and its sudden and unlooked for debut at that time was the cause 
of much speculation on the part of both learned and unlettered. It 
was first visible in a northwesterly direction, and when first seen 
had the appearance of a bright star. It attracted but little atten- 
tion at first, it being supposed to be a light attached to a kite; but 
directly a train of light shot up which gradually increased in length 
until it passed the zenith. The nucleus, or head, of the luminous 
object when viewed through a glass, presented a very clear and 
sharply defined outline, shining with the brilliancy of a star of the 
first magnitude. It- motion was in an easterly direction, and was 
exceedingly rapid, passing over a space of eleven minutes in an 
hour. The train oflighl extended beyond the constellation Lyra. 
and the center of its extremity was directly over the star Vega. 
Its length extended over the immense distance of 100 c ! 

It will be remembered that the tail of the great comet of 1843, 
which attracted such universal attention throughout the world, ex 
tended over a space of only 70°. 



246 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

ECLIPSE OF THE MOON. 

One of the most sublime astronomical events of 1SS1 — a total 
eclipse of the moon — occurred Sunday morning, June 12. The 
moon appeared above the horizon at about 8:20 p. m. in its usual 
brilliancy. When about two and one-half hours high, it received 
the first contact with the penumbra of light shadow of the earth 
upon its eastern limb, which became slightly dim, and a loss of 
lunar light followed as the moon entered the penumbra. Fifty-six 
minutes then elapsed without further change in its appearance, * 
while traversing the partial shadow of the earth; but when the 
umbra or dark shadow of our planet was reached, the eastern 
limb of the moon again darkened, suddenly, almost to invisibility. 
The circular shape of the earth's shadow was distinctly seen when 
passing over the face of the moon. At 38 minutes past 12 the 
moon was wholly within the umbra and the total eclipse com- 
menced. It continued in darkness for an hour or so, and then 
all was the same as usual. 

THE WOLF-SLAYERS OF SAGINAW. 

Immediately after the organization of this county (1837) the 
board of commissioners resolved to pay a bounty for wolf-scalps 
in addition to that offered by the State. This was a great incen- 
tive to clearing the district of those destructive creatures. Many 
of the settlers at once took the field, and took rank among the most 
expert wolf-hunters of the land. In the following summary the 
names of wolf-slayers are given from 1838 to 1818. At the close 
of the latter year it is said there could not be found within the 
boundaries of Saginaw county, as now constituted, one wolf lair; 
nevertheless large numbers of the pests visited the district at 
intervals and supplied food for powder as well as subject for 
bounty. The bounty for killing a wolf was $8; so that in the 
following enumeration of the slayers, the number of times eight 
is contained in the number of dollars written, will represent the 
number of wolves killed: — 

In October, 1838, the following wolf-slayers received the 
amounts appended to their names: — Cornelius Wiltsie, $21; Medor 
Tromble, $18; J. B. Garland, $8; Charles Tibbitts, $10; E, Jewett, 
$21; Silas Barns, $8; Antoine Peltier, $16; Peter Loire, $8; Arden 
Moses, $8; A. E. Swarthout, $16; James Tyrrell, $8; Ben. Sever- 
son, $8; Sherman Wheeler, $10; Henry Campeau, $S; J. H. Davis, 
$16; .Roderick Vaughan, $8. This list represents the destruction 
of 36 wolves. 

In April, 1839, Eoderick Vaughan killed two wolves; Sherman 
Wheeler, two; and John Malone, one. In July, Douglas Thomp- 
son killed one, and in October Medor Tromble and Leverett 
Hodgman caught two. 

In Feb., 1810, Charles S. Tibbitts killed eight wolves; Mark D. 
Bavasa, one; an Indian, one; Cornelius Wiltsie, five; Wm. Shaw, 



HISTOKT OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 247 

one; Charles Conkwright, one; Alex. Davis, one; Smiab-no-kee, 
oue. 

In 1^41 Ben. Goodwin, Medor Tromble and Joseph Tromble 
killed six wolves, the former destroying four of the number. Geo. 
II. Powell and Curtis Goodwin aided in killing one. Xa-o-ta 
killed one; Medor Tromble, two; A.mos Davis, one; Joseph King, 
four; Cornelius Wiltsie, three; Sa-wa-ban-am, one; Erial Cham- 
berlain, one; Mas-ke-os, one; Phineas Spaulding, one; Charles 
Conkwright, six; Naug-chig-a-mi, one. 

in L842 the wolf-scarpers were led by Peto-qua-da, one; Sag-e- 
ge-wa-a-se, one: Win. Fields, tour; Ira T. Farrand, one; Mon-sus, 
one; Caleb Lincoln, one; Naug-chig-a-mi, eight; Amgrad Granger, 
two; Win. Fields, one; Na-zee-ga-kin, one: .lames Kent, two; 
Phineas Spaulding, four; Medor Tromble. one; Kaw-ga-cum-ego, 
one; Thomas Smith, one; Cornelius Wiltsie, tour; Wm. Badgeron, 
one; Sa-can-see-kee, one; Eleazer Jewett, one; Pa-ma-wa-tum, one; 
Green Bird killed two, but did not produce the heads, and there- 
fore lost the State bounty. Wo-ba-ge-ma and Saw-waw-bun lost 
the State bounty for the same reason. Mas-ke-os, killed one; 
IN Tc-wa-we-tum, one; Es-que-bon-e-quiet, one; Pa-ma-wa-ting, one; 
John Davis, one: Win. Harrison, one; Wm. Fields, two. 

In 1843 B. F. Pierce presented the scalps of two wolves, 
received $16 bounty, and inaugurated the wolf hunt for that year. 
Pay-bo-no-quong and Eleazer Jewett, received bounty during the 
same year, while J. F. Marsac, Naug-chig-a-me, Sang-ge-chi-wa- 
-a. Cornelius Wiltsie and Oliver Davis killed 11 wolves, the 
bounty on which was allowed in 1844. 

In 1*44 Naug-chig-a-me killed seven wolves; Sang-gi-chi-wa-sa, 
four; Solomon Stone, tour; Walter Scott, two; Leonard Scott, four; 
Cornelius Wiltsie. six; Leverett Hodgman, four; A. Tt. Swarthout, 
two; Wm. Ellis. >i\: Joseph Tromble, two; John Wiltsie, four; 
Pa-ma-wa-ting, one; J. I ). Smith, two; O. H. Davis, two; Mushe- 
won-a-quet, one; Louis Desprau, two; Caleb Gardner, two; 
Edward McCarthy, four; Thomas S. Kennedy, two; James A. 
Kent, two; Xelson Carey, two. 

In I^4."> Medor Tromble, Wm. Purler, Geo. Whitman, John 
A. Whitman killed seven wolves. In 1846 Osaw-wa-bon, Xah- 

fon-wa-way-donk, Thomas Gardner, Sag-git-way destroyed four. 
ames Kent, Osaw-wa-bon, and A-chi-di-wa-bi-dunk, kille<l four in 
LM7. During the year 1 s 4^ the wolf harvest reached its climax. 
Xo Less than 10 animals were destroyed during the tirst -i\ 
months of the year. The -layer- were Saw-wa-bun, A-che-taw- 
wa-bi-dunk, Saw-gah-se-gay, Kin-wa-wa, Ma-ne-gaw-sung, Kah, Ash- 
to-wu-ba-muck, Muck-a-to-ma-sha-way, Saw-wu-no-co-me-go, Pay- 
ma-chi-won, Cornelius Wiltsie, Denis McCarthy, J. Yock. 

In 1849 John and Cornelius Wiltsie. Mechin-e-ny, Sos-wa-way- 
sing, \oek-ehig-a-my. Ma -ma -go-gen, Shop-pe-no-gonce, Pa-ma- 
saw-dong, Ba-me-saw, Sa-gi-to, On-me-qua-to, Tit-ta-qua-wassin, 
Ah-me-ma-<juoin. Sha-naw-bis, Nbn-o-quoin, Israel Marsac, Denis 
McCarthy, Thomas Dalton, and Way-no-quoin killed 32 wolves. 



248 HISTORY OF SAGINAW county. 

The wolf hunting season of 1850 was ushered in by Non-a-quam, 
Kenewoop, Black Elk, Shaw-in-orso-quy, and Anson G. Miller, 
who destroyed nine large wolves. Before the close of 1852, the 
country was cleared of 46 devastators by the Indians and settlers. 
Since that period the wolf-hunters enterprise declined, until at 
present there are few, if any, in this county who devote attention 
to the old pastime. 

CLEARING THE RIVER. 

E. W. Perry, who erected the first saw-mill on Perry creek, a 
tributary of the Cass, entered upon the work of clearing the river 
of drift-wood in 1837. He reported at the time that the obstacles 
must be the accumulated drift-wood of ages, as it occupied the 
time of himself and his workmen for many months to make even 
such a passage as would enable him to raft the sawed lumber to 
Saginaw City, which he contracted to supply to the builders of 
the Webster House during that year. 

FROZEN TO DEATH. 

On Monday afternoon, Jan. 17, 1859, Thomas O'Hara, and his 
son, James O'Hara, started from East Saginaw, each drawing a 
hand sled with a load of mill feed, on their way home to Swan 
creek. On Tuesday morning they were found in the road within 
two miles of home, the young man was frozen to death, and the 
father so nearly so that he lived but a short time after reaching 
home. Mr. O'rlara (the elder) had been employed in Whittier 
& Merrill's mill, and is spoken of as a faithful hand. 

FOREST FIRES. 

How often fires have swept through the forests of the Peninsula 
cannot now be computed. Again and again have they been des- 
troyed — each fire clearing large tracts, and each tract being again 
covered with luxuriant forests, different in appearance and in 
quality from those which were burned. Oak gave way to poplar, 
poplar to pine, and so on in time until the last great fire, 
which swept over the timber countries of the north prior to the 
settlement of this State, made way for the pine woods. The month 
of October, of 1871, will be ever memorable, not only in connec- 
tion with the terrible fire which decimated one of the fairest cities 
of the West, but as well in connection with the destruction 
of vast forests of pine timber throughout this and the neighboring- 
State of Wisconsin. In the territory tributary to the Saginaw 
Valley, the effect of the fires was most disastrous and widely 
spread. To realize the extent of territory embraced in what is 
known as the "burnt district," a glance at the map of Michigan 
becomes necessary. Commencing at a point on Lake Huron near 
Lexington, a line drawn across Sanilac, Lapeer and Genesee 



III-. TORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 249 

counties to the south line of Saginaw county, thence in a north- 
westerly direction across the State to the north line of Oceana 

county, will mark the southern limits of the destructive fire, while 
all tin- country north of this line and oast of the Saginaw Lay. 
was involved in the conflagration. On the west side of the bay a 
line drawn from the north line of Bay county west to. and includ- 
ing Manistee county and embracing all the territory south to the 
first given line will give the reader a very good idea of the amount 
of land burned oxer. According to the closest estimates which 
can be made, an amount of pine timber equal to live years, cut of 
the Valley was destroyed, or in round numbers 4,000,000,000 of 
feet. Of this vast quantity, no doubt a large amount, various! v 
estimated at from 300,000,000 to 500,000,000 feet, was watered 
during the following winter, and was saved. The balance of the 
timber was attacked by the insect whose destructive effects are 
always manifested in " down timber,'" and while available for 
coarse timber for building purposes, was worthless for the nicer 
work to which lumber is applied, its distance from streams render- 
ing it. in its depreciated value, nearly worthless. The loss in the 
eoarsei- timber, particularly hemlock, the value of which was 
then beginning to be appreciated, is beyond computation. 

FIB8T CELEBRATION IX THE VALLEY. 

The 56th anniversary of Independence was celebrated at Green 
Point, July 4. 1832. The idea of the celebration originated with 
Eleazer Jewett, and the program carried out under his direc- 
tion. The people from Saginaw went up the river in a fishing boat; 
the Indians were around in great numbers and admired the first 
reunion of the settlers, if they did not actually share in their enthu- 
siastic recognition of the glorious event which they assembled to 
honor. There were present on that occasion : Thomas Simpson, 
wit'e and daughter. Gardner D. Williams. E. S. Williams ami 
Mrs. Williams. Daniel Hunter, the Indian blacksmith, and wife; 
Abram Ihitts ami wife. Sam Russell, John Henderson, Jr., 
Ahram Whitney, Charles McLean and wife. Thomas McCarthy. 
C'apt. Jeremiah Smith and YVni. L. P. Little, visitors to the Yalley, 
arrived in the afternoon and took part in the proceedings. 

It i- not related that this meeting of patriotic pioneers was 
organized; but the statement i- fully verified that every article of 
the Declaration was read by Mr. Jewett, and received with evi- 
dent manifestations of delight. 

The entire party were the ^uc-ts of Eleazer and Mrs. Jewett, 
and the latter alone prepared that happy dinner or little banquet, 
which took such an important part in rendering tin- great anniver- 
sary of political and military supremacy over England as pleasing 
in thi> feature as it was patriotic in general. The dinner table used 
on that occasion was the firsl introduced into the district, and 
comes down the present time through Mrs. Lee, whose father was 
the original owner. 



250 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

From that period to the present time the birthday of the nation 
lias been honored. Each year the knowledge of all the Fathers of 
the Republic did for the world is becoming more widely appreci- 
ated ; and, as that knowledge spreads, men look on the day as 
sacred in the calendar — the greatest national holiday, the annual 
remembrancer of all that pure and simple patriotism won for the 
enslaved people of the period and for the generations of the 
future. 

CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL. 

Among the great events which have taken place in Saginaw 
county, not one excels in pleasant association that of the celebra- 
tion of the centennial of American Independence. At midnight 
the Fourth was announced by cannon, and, at its dawn, the music 
of the cannon and church bells joined in a welcome to that day 
on Which patriotism consummated its desire. Fully 20, 000 
people assembled to witness the procession, which moved 
under Chief Marshal James W. Dawson. On arriving at Farley 
street, the first and second divisions of the East Saginaw proces- 
sion, under Col. Geo. Lockley, united with that of Saginaw City,' 
and marched to the court-house square, where were erected a num- 
ber of poles with streamers flying, and upon each pole was a 
shield bearing the name of one of the Presidents, and the term of 
his office. Floating from the pole at the Court street entrance were 
the National colors. The stand was erected upon the south side 
of the square, and upon the front was placed a portrait of Geo. 
Washington. The entire space between the stand and Court 
street was filled with seats. West of the speaker's stand was the 
stand for the vocalists. 

Hon. D. H. Jerome, chairman of the committee of arrange- 
ments, having called the assemblage to order, the Mayor delivered 
the following address : 

" We have come together, my countrymen and countrywomen^ 
in recognition of an event, no less remarkable, no less worthy of 
public observance than the Centennial Anniversary of American 
Independence. 

"While this auspicious event — so full of common interest, so 
full of historic memories— amply explains this gathering, many of 
you are, in one sense guests of this city. In one sense, all who par- 
ticipate here are guests ; and it falls 'to me to offer you a word of 
welcome. To all then, men, women, children, welcome. To the 
citizen, to the neighbor, to the stranger guest, cordial greeting, 
hearty welcome, all. 

il Something of acknowledgment, too, is due the many who are 
with us from beyond our own borders. And in the expression of 
this general and wide-spread obligation, it is fitting that I should 
mention the special gratification of our people at so cordial a join- 
ing with us from our prosperous sister city over the water. Glad- 
ness and gratitude, not more for the imposing civic and military dis- 



HI8T0BY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 251 

play which adds so largely to these ceremonies, than for the broad 
spirit of neighborly good will which alone could liave found so 
graceful and generous an expression. 

•• It remains only for me to direct your attention for a moment 
to the. in some respects, distinctive character of the occasion which 
calls as together. From among the many anniversaries of striking 
events in the early history of our country, the impulses of the 
American people long ago chose the fourth day of July as their 
national holiday. And its annual observance, with honors and 
customs peculiarily its own, and peculiarly American, has long 
been common. The profound interest, the national importance 
attaching to the one hundredth anniversary of that day is such, 
however, that its special observance with appropriate and peculiar 
honors, has been recommended by the President of the United 
State- in public proclamation, made in accordance with the joint 
resolution of both Houses of Congress. And the Governors of 
many of the States, our own among the number, having issued 
proclamations to the same end. 

"So cordially, so heartily, have the patriotic impulses of the 
people responded to these wise suggestions that this day goes into 
history as a grand, united national jubilee. This majestic pres- 
ence, with its pageantry of national colors, its heraldic emblems of 
our country's progress, is but a feeble part ; a single chord in the 
deep broad chorus with which America greets the years before 
her : one breath in the mighty tone of thanksgiving and praise 
which swells from the hearts of a great nation of freemen, as they 
hail this solemn hour. When 

Through storm and calm the years have lead 

( Hir nation on from stage to stage 
A century's space, until we tread 

The threshold of another age. 

• ' Altogether glorious, however, altogether sublime as is this 
common demonstration, how doth its glory fade by the side of 
that other coming together which has marked the progress of the 
centennial year. Awakened interest in Revolutionary annals has 
re-taught the lesson that the fabric whose founding we celebrate 
was the work of all, not part, that Yorktown and Saratoga have an 
equal luster: that Adams and Jefferson, "Warren and Washing- 
ton, struggled and fought shoulder to shoulder; and that North and 
South, we arc indeed brothers, by a common heroic parentage. As 
one year ago South Carolina and Georgia, through their citizen 
Boldiery, joined Massachusetts in commemorating Bunker Hill, bo 
only last week, at Charleston, the soldiers of New York and Mas- 
sachusetts joined South Carolina in doing honor to the memory of 
the Revolutionary battle of Fort Moultrie. And to-day, in Phila- 
delphia, a united band, these comrades, brother citizens and sol- 
diers, bow. elbow to elbow, at the common shrine of American 
Independence Both proof and symbol that the fulfillment is at 
hand; nay. i< now. of those ringing words of prophecy : 'The 



252 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle field and 
every patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone all over 
this broad land, shall yet swell the chorus of the Union/ 

' ' Hail ! All hail to that victory of peace which crowns with 
such a halo of glory the triumphs of one hundred years! 

" Fellow citizens, we cannot glorify this day. Nought that 
can be said or done here can consecrate or hallow it. It is rather 
for us to receive baptism of its glory. Rather for us, in the noble 
words of Lincoln at Gettysburg, to this day, ' Highly resolve that 
the nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and 
that government of the people, by the people and for the people, 
shall not perish from the earth.' " 

Hon. Daniel P. Foote then addressed the great assemblage in 
one of the most excellent orations delivered during the celebra- 
tion of the day throughout the Union. 

A historical sketch of Saginaw, by W. H. H. Bartram, and a 
poem, entitled "Liberty's Song," written by Mrs. Clark, of Ches- 
aning, were read. The various events referred to in the former 
are fully treated in these pages ; the latter is as follows : 

liberty's song. 

There is music, feasting, rejoicing, 

An orator's eloquent strain, 
From the lonely star of Katahdin 

To that over Texas plain. 
By Columbia's dashing river, 

From foot to the grand Cascades, 
Through Cumberland's beautiful valleys. 

To Florida's everglades 

The booming of cannon, resounding 

From the great north lakes of our own 
Is met by responses loyal, 

From dwellers in tropic zone, 
Blithe winds from the golden Sierras. 

Atlantic banners unfurled, 
Then wafted their jubilant tidings 

Triumphantly 'round the world. 

Where the h«art of the gulf stream's throbbing, 

Where there's aught for mankind to prize, 
Where the north wind rudely whistles, 

Where the soothing south wind sighs, 
American hands are bequeathing 

Myrrh and frankincense to-day, 
For Liberty's shrine that they're wreathing 

With choicest leaves of the bay. 

With joy undivided they're telling 

of Adams, Jefferson, Lee, 
And others of dauntless courage 

Declaring these colonies free. 
How the people were hoarse with shouting 

Praise that kings never could call 
By bribes, or the fear of proscription, 

From hearts of subjects in thrall. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 253 

No triumphant victor in passing 

With trophies 'neath conqueror's arch, 
With princes for slaves from the kingdoms 

Laid waste in blood-sodden march, 
Ever heard such music transporting 

In midst of wildest applause, 
A.- the notes which without exhorting, 

Ring in our country's " hurrahs." 

In cabin of brave pioneering, 

At the cottager's humble door. 
From velvet, marble and crystal, 

From cheerless hauntsof the poor, 
Across the rich teeming prarie, 

Ami tlic clover-scented lea, 
From the iron-hearted mountains, 

And the evanescent sea, 
Rang out the glad chorus at dawning, 
■ We've been a century free!" 

Free from all tribute and tithing, 

Free from foul tyranny's breath, 
Free from conscription and gyving, 

Free from inquisitor's death, 
Free from all baleful controlling 

t )f pulpit, or press, or plea, 
Free as Divinity's image. 

Was here intended to be. 

But scroll of past ages unfolding 

The struggles of free men declaie, 
When fortune-, and lives without stinting, 

Were given for Liberty's care, 
She richly repaid their devotion, 

So long as their hearts were true ; 
When gold was the idol they worshiped 

The angry deity threw 
Them a crown for their pride's de-troying 

Peace, and prosperity too. 

But proud was the goddess when wearing 

Athenian chapletsof yore, 
For heroes whose deeds were immortal 

Though lading the garlands they wore, 
In guarding her temples and altars, 

Till stained was her marble and sand, 
With patriot's blood that in flowing 

Extinguished Libert}'- brand. 

I. on j ages before Greece was treading 

In freedom'- name, under her feet, 
The beauty of Spartan women. 

With everything tender and sweet, 
Till her shameless field-trained maidens, 

Brawny, athletic ami nude. 
Could in helot'.- trembling body. 

The death dealing dart intrude; 
Bui Spartan courage divided 

Againsl itself could not stand, 

die grew from the first and the bravest, 

To be meanest in all the land. 



254 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

* Four centuries freedom was clinging 

To Liberty's wonderful Rome, 
Leaving the fickle Greek waters 

To build on the Tiber her home, 
From four winds of heaven she beckoned 

The greatest and wisest to come ; 
No wonder the renting asunder, 

At last shook the capitol's dome. 

With eagle and emblems in keeping 

In time to the westward she hied, 
The old world in fetters left weeping, 

To gladden the new, the untried ; 
Ten decades ago she was stringing 

Her harps, for ages unstrung; 
Her sons were exultantly singing 

Her songs, for centuries unsung. 

Shall honor with which she's been crowning 

Her chieftains and soldiers decline ? 
Shall the flood of the coming be offered 

As the passing was, free as wine. 
To save from ambition and envy, 

To save from the parricide's hand. 
To save from idolatrous worship 

For God's chosen people the land '? 

Or shall gross, luxurious living, 

The hearts of the people ensnare, 
Till Bacchus control their affections. 

And Midas their pass'onate prayer? 
Their votes that are openly sold, 

Till red, while and blue is forsaken 
For Tyrean purple and gold ? 

Shall our household gods be dissolving 

By restless fanatics desire, 
Till'abandoned freedom has lighted 

For us an unquenchable fire, 
And age, youth and weakness dependent 

By merciless strength is oppressed, 
Till they seek a passage, despairing, 

To Stygean waters tor rest ? 

Great Father! all nations protecting. 

Avert, we beseech, every blow, 
That could turn from Thy rock of safety — 

Make waters of bitterness flow; 
Let our stars with those of the morning 

Live, as our eagle shall soar, 
Till time has finished the problem 

Of life, on eternity's shore. 

The novelties of the procession were a car containing 13 young 
ladies representing the original States, surmounting the Goddess 
of Liberty, and one containing 37 misses representing the States 
oi that day. Benjamin, with two hearses, one the pattern of long- 
ago, its board sides labeled " Luxuries were unknown to Patriots 
of 1776." And the other a beautiful affair, on the plate glass ot 
which was shown the inscription, " The sister cities have this day 



IIISTOKV OF BAGINAW COUNTY. 255 

buried envy and all uncharitableness. Mourners there are none." 
Benjamin's blacksmith and wagon shop with six men at work. 
"Tnecarriage of 1776." An ox cart. Willard Shattuck, with a 
Buckeye Reaper of L876. Gh Spatz's Bakery. Alex. Hurtubise, 
shoeing a horse, and three other blacksmiths at work. 

These, with all tin 1 other features of the procession, rendered it 
one eharacteristic of the great event which was then being cele- 
brated. Here in this northern city the self-same enthusiasm pre- 
vailed which marked the day at the political center of the Union, 
and few there were who did not give thanks to Providence for be- 
in-- permitted to be present at the 100th anniversary of the forma- 
tion of the Republic. 

FIRST HAPPENINGS IN THE COUNTY. 

Among the most interesting chapters of a local history is that 
which embraces a list of first events. To such belongs the history 
of everything connected with the county, and in such a list many 
of those events, any one of which would scarcely afford subject for 
a chapter, are noted. Beginning with the year 1819, when one of 
the brightest characters on the pages of Michigan history visited 
this region to negotiate a treaty with the Saginaw Indians, let us 
pass the years which have elapsed in review. 

In 1822 the United States troops took possession of the Indian 
cam] (ground, and erected the first fort built by Americans north 
of Detroit. During the same year the first deaths were recorded 
among the white inhabitants, a few of the infantry having died 
here. 

In 1823 the first white children born in the district claimed the 
old fort as their birth-place and the wive- of soldiers as their mothers. 
Harvey Williams. John Hamilton, E. S. Williams and Schuyler 
Hodges arrived at Saginaw in 1822. 

In L824 the American Fur Company established the first regular 
trading-post here, under .McDonald. Rev. Mr. Hudson was the 
first missionary appointed by the Government to administer to the 
spiritual wants of the Indian.-. Provencal was the first Indian 
blacksmith. On account of the red man having no "spiritual 
wants,*' Mr. Hudson Left the district, while the man of iron re- 
mained. 

The first deaths among the white inhabitants occurred in 1822. 
when four or five members of the garrison fell before the advance 
of disease. 

1'irst celebration of independence Day, July 4, 1832. 

The first house was that erected by Louis Campeau in 1816. 

The first farmer, Asa Whitney, purchased his land in 1822, and 
began farming in 1 s l'''>. 

Dr. C. Little located Saginaw City in 1822. 

Eleazer Jewett was the firsl American settler within the county 
as now constituted. Having arrived in 1826, he made it his home 
until his decease. 

The first orchard was set out in 1828. 



256 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Saginaw township was organized in 1831, and comprised the 
county of Saginaw as then known, the counties of Midland, Tuscola, 
Alpena, Iosco, Bay, Cheboygan, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Gratiot, 
Isabella, Clare, Gladwin and Oscoda. Gardner D. Williams was 
first supervisor. 

The first local roads were laid out by Deputy-Surveyor Jewett. 

The French traveler, De Tocqueville, visited Saginaw. 

In 1834 the first saw-mill was built by Harvey Williams, G. D. 
and E. S. Williams. 

The first frame house was built by Eleazer Jewett, in 1831. 

Miss Mary Jewett, now Mrs. Dr. N. D. Lee, was born Feb. 11, 
1834. She was, therefore, the first white child born in the county 
within the American pioneer period. 

The first cargo of lumber was shipped from the Emerson mill in 
1836. 

William Williams, born March 12, 1834, was the first white male 
child born in Saginaw county. 

Judge Albert Miller taught the first school in the valley. 

In October, 1835, the county of Saginaw was organized under 
authority of the Territorial Legislature. The plat of Saginaw was 
enlarged and the first map of the city drafted. Wheat was har- 
vested that year for the first time and sent to mill. A clearing 
was made on the east bank of the river. 

C. A. Lull raised the first crop of wheat, in 1835. He brought 
the first sheep into the district. 

The Presbyterian Society was organized in 1836, being the first 
religious association established. 

The same year Norman Little purchased the United States' Gov- 
ernment block-houses and military reserve, from Dr. Millington, 
of Ypsilanti. He also brought with him type and newspaper press 
from New York, and projected the Saginaw Journal. The ' 'Citi- 
zens' Library Association " was formed, and the era of improve- 
ment entered upon. 

The first steam saw-mill at East Saginaw was built in 1836. 

The first dock was constructed at Saginaw City in 1836. 

The first boring for rock salt or brine was done by Douglass 
Houghton in 1838. 

The financial crisis was brought under control in 1838. 

The first turnpike road was begun in 1840. 

The first ferry was chartered in 1842. 

E. W. Perry made the first attempt to clear the rivers of drift- 
wood in 183T. 

The same year Nelson Smith built and launched the schooner 
" Julia Smith." 

The first plank road to Flint was made in 1850. 

The first stave yard was established by Humphrey Shaw in 1850. 

The first L nion school building was erected in 1851. 

The first brick-yard was established at East Saginaw in 1852. 

The first secret society organized here was the Odd Fellows' 
Lod£e, No. 42, in 1849. *Tlie first Masonic lodge was formed in 
March. 1854. 





2^?, 



HISTOBY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 259 

The first select school was established at East Saginaw in 1852. 

The first steamboat, '"Buena Vista," was launched in 1848. 

The first German settlement was made under Rev. Geo. Cramer 
in 1845. 

The first efforts to detach Bay county from Saginaw were made 
in 1855. 

The first bank was opened by W. L. P. Little in 1855. 

< rardner D. Williams was elected first Mayor of Saginaw City 
in 1857. 

Captain Leon Snay was the first white settler of East Saginaw. 

The first association of salt manufacturers was formed in April, 
1859, and the first salt well sunk the same year. The same year 
the city of East Saginaw received a charter, when W. L. P. Little 
was elected mayor. 

C.W. Grant was the first town clerk of Buena Vista, and Curtis 
Emerson the first supervisor. The former was the first American 
pioneer to settle on the east side in 1849. 

The first ice-house was built in 1862. 

The first school on the east side of the river was built in 1851. 

The first teacher was Miss Carrie Ingersoll. 

The Saginaw street-car track, 2f miles in length, was laid down 
m 1864. 

Alfred M. Hoyt was the first postmaster at East Saginaw, and 
M. B. Hess the first mail-carrier. 

The first birth was that of Lyman Ensign, in 1850. 

The first death which was recorded at East Saginaw occurred in 
1852: 

The first free bridge acrossthe Saginaw was constructed in ISTs, 
at a cost of 819,000. 

The first business men of East Saginaw were Curtis Emerson, 
C. W. Grant, W. F. Glasby, M. B. Hess, Geo. Hess, Alfred M. 
Hoyt. James Little, Col. W. L. P. Little, S. W. Yawkey, Alex. 
English, John Elsffer, A. Ferguson, F. H. Kochler, Thomas Wil- 
ley, Mengo Stevens and Seth Willey. The first lawyers who opened 
offices there wereWm. L. "Webber, J. L. T. Fox and Charles Hunt. 

The first rail of the F. & P. M. E. E. was laid Aug. 19, 1859. 

The J., L. & S. E. E. was completed in 1867, and the first through 
train from Jackson entered the city. 

In 1864 the first bridge was built across the river by the citizens 
of East Saginaw, and in 1865 those of Saginaw City constructed 
another equally substantial viaduct one mile south. 

The Holly water-works were constructed in 1872. 

The Mayflower mills were built in 1851, being the first flouring 
mill of the valley. 

Warner and Eastman erected the first iron foundry in 1854. 

The first military encampment was held in the valley in Sep- 
tember, 1860. The commands present were Flint Union Grays, 
Saginaw City Guards, East Saginaw Guards, and the East Saginaw 
Light Artillery, all under Col. T. W. B. Stockton. 

16 



200 HISTORY OF SAGINAW ' COUNTY. 

First organization of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Union, Septem- 
ber, 1879. 

What changes have been effected since these events were first 
chronicled are noticed in other pages. The march of progress has 
not for a moment been impeded. Commercial, political, religious 
and social organization has so advanced that each has risen almost 
to that standard which the civilization of our time demands. 

LIGHT AND SHADE OF EARLY TIMES. 

Among the many stories in circulation, connected with pioneer 
times, a few have been handed down through the press. That 
there is every reason to believe them is conceded, and as they 
tend to give a good idea of the habits, customs and manners of 
the early settlers of Saginaw county, as it was known previous to 
1857, they are given in these pages. 

THE LOCAL FISHERMEN. 

Among the pioneers of Lower Saginaw were Julius B. Hart and 
George Lord. Both gentlemen were the proprietors of fisheries 
on the bay shore, and carried on their fishing operations within a 
short distance of each other, where, in proper season of the year, 
they caught and shipped to Detroit and other points the results 
of their endeavors, often realizing large amounts of mpney in 
successful seasons, and at other times resulting in "fisherman's 
luck " generally. Both enjoyed, and each knew how to give and 
take a joke. 

One cold bright morning in the fall of 18 — , the two met near 
the foot of Third street, and after passing the time of day, turned 
to separate, when Hart exclaimed, " By the way, Lord, I'd nearly 
forgotten; I was down to the shore this morning, and Joe (Lord's 
foreman at the fishery) told me to tell you that the fish were run- 
ning like blazes, and he wanted you to send him down a lot of 
dressers [men to dress and pack fish], salt and barrels." " Thun- 
der!" shouted Lord, " Is that so?" and away he sped to pick up all 
the adepts in dressing fish he could find, and in an hour his large 
boat was loaded with fish barrels, salt and men, and ready to start 
for the shore, with Lord along to enjoy the rich harvest in prospect 
awaiting him. Just as the boat was shoved away from the dock 
to start on her trip, Hart came hurriedly to the dock with, lt Hold 
on, Lord; I've just heard from the shore again; the fish have 
stopped running, and Joe don't want anything more than he's got." 

Lord saw that he was sold, the boat was hauled to the dock and 
unloaded, and with vengeance in his eye, Lord went home. Weeks 
passed by, and the joke was almost forgotten by those who had 
enjoyed a hearty laugh at Lord's expense. Not so with the chief 
victim, however. His opportunity came at last. The saloon in 
the basement of the Wolverton House was the fashionable resort 
of that day, and looking in at the door one afternoon, Lord espied 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW OOUNTT. 201 

II.ni at the tabic with Bome Mends, playing an innocent game of 
•• Penny Ante." While he looked, an Indian entered with a musk- 
rat skin, acommodity in which Hart dealt, and which it is said 
at one time bore the same relation to "legal tender" as shingles 
have often dene at a time of scarcity of money. w- Ugh!" saidLo, 
" Jule Hart, you buy inn skin?" " Yes." was the response; "give 
vou ten cents; throw him over in that corner; here's your money." 
The Indian toot the money, threw down the skin and departed, 
at which Hart turned his attention to the game, which was becom- 
ing interesting. Lord picked up the skin, and unnoticed left the 
saloon. It was but a few moments before a young boy entered 
the saloon, and sold Hart a rat-skin, throwing it in + o the corner 
as directed, and receiving his pay. The game went on, interrupted 
every tew moments by a rat-skin trade. Skins came in stretched 
on shingles, on double twigs, and unstretched. Hart bought them 
all. At last the day was drawing to a close, and the game came 
to an end. I Iart arose from the table, remarking, "I've lost at 
the game, but I've bought a thundering pile of skins this afternoonJE 
and he threw his gratified eye over toward the corner where hrs 
skins had been disposited. l ' Whew!" was his exclamation, as but 
a single skin met his vision; " who in thunder has stole my skinsT' 
Lord, at that instant edging toward the door, remarked. " It's 
been almost as good a day for rats, as that morning was for fish. 
Jule Hart saw that he was sold, he had paid out about $5 on one 
rat skin, and Lord was made disbursing officer, to see that the 
price of that skin was duh* appropriated for the general good, in 
the manner common to those days. 

Tin: SUBEOGTJGEON COURT. 

This tribunal did not approach that of the golden age known as 
the Secret Tribunal in extensiveness, though it may have equaled 
it in utility. In the earlier years of the county many good souls — 
intellectual men — sought a vein through which the blood of pleas- 
antry might course, and among other things formed the Surrogu- 
geon — so named from the fact that one of their number indulged in 
a lapsus linguae, and in an attempt to name the Surrogate court, 
called it the Surrogugeon. 

It had its faults. Though founded, perhaps, without a thought 
of it- effect upon the moral being of the citizens, it was no lessbene- 
ficial in its tendency to nip vice in the bud by checking the pas- 
sions of men. Every little social error had to' be scrutinized by its 
officials, and this inquiry was carried out with such a demonstration 
of legality and authority that not a W-w wmoch nt men came before the 
bar in obedience to its summons. Whatever means were taken to 
uphold its authority, or by whatever influence men allowed them- 
selves to be convicted, punished or acquitted by that tribunal, is a 
mystery. All the terrors of the law proper surrounded it. all the 
finding ofjurors or judges were made out in regular form, and in 
fact it ditfered from the circuit court onlv in the terrible character 



262 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

of its judgments, which consigned its gullible victims to life-long 
imprisonment for some trifling crime, or perhaps imposed upon 
them some ridiculous penance, the performance of which on the 
morrow would both amuse and delight the initiated members of the 
tribunal. 

THE LAWYER AND THE MINISTER. 

In early days when hotels were scarce, new-comers to the State 
of Michigan were forced to ask favors of the older settlers, which 
would now be looked upon as the height of presumption. Andrew 
C. was a young lawyer, residing in the then small village of La- 
peer, having but recently taken to himself a wife and commenced 
housekeeping. There was no hotel in the place, and travelers 
oftentimes made use of A. C's. barn, sometimes without as much 
as saying "by your leave." A. C. had decided to remove to Bay 
City, and was making preparations to do so, when his barn was 
appropriated by a new-comer to the neighborhood, who put a load 
of hay into the loft, and drove a cow into the yard to eat the 
hay. 

The evening before he left for Bay City, A. C. was in the store 
of the village, and met the Rev. Mr. Smith, a Congregational 
minister (afterward settled in East Saginaw), who had but recently 
taken charge of the little flock about Lapeer. As they conversed, 
Mr. Smith remarked, " I wish I could buy a good cow." — "Do you 
want a cow?" said A. C. " I'm glad you mentioned it, for 
there's one up at my barn which I can't take away with me. You 
can have her if you will, and there is a load of hay in the barn to 
feed her with." Profuse were the thanks of the reverend gentle- 
man at so munificent a bequest. "But, " said A. C, "I must 
tell you about her. She is the most peculiar cow you ever saw. 
She must be milked before five o'clock in the morning or you can't 
get her to give down a drop of milk." "Well, I am an early riser," 
said the dominie, "I can milk her before five as well as after." 

A. C. moved to Bay City; and the minister was careful to milk 
his cow "before five o'clock " each morning, and a noble mess of 
milk she gave,' and with liberality was the hay fed to her. Things 
went well for several days, until while milking one morning, the 
parson's ears were shocked with the profane expletives of a voice 
which called him a thief, a robber and sundry other pet names, 
which to the minister were simply horrifying. " I've caught you 
at last, you hypocritical, thieving parson; preaching honesty to the 
people, and robbing your neighbors of their milk. I'll break your 

head," etc., etc. Rising from his milking stool, the parson 

faced the irate farmer, who for a time would give him no chance to 
put in a word edgewise. "But it's my cow," at last got in the 
parson; "AC. made me a present of her, and of the hay in the 
barn the night before he left." 

Explanations ensued, and as both realized the sell, they enjoyed 
a hearty laugh, and were good friends. A. C. still lives, and 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 263 

persists in saying that he enjoys a practical joke and loves to play 
one "ii his friends. 

A BEMINI80ENCE OF 1845. 

The following sketch was written by a grand-daughter, "-Lena," 
of one of the American pioneers of the valley, and is characteris- 
tic of life in the German settlements of 30 years ago. 

"The first German settlement made in Saginaw county was at 
Frankenmuth, about 1845. From Saginaw, by the path through 
the woods, it was 14 miles; but the traveled road, where they 
went with their teams, was much farther. One of the German girls, 
Margaret, came to my grandfather's, as a servant, and she was 
such a specimen as is seldom seen now-a-days, — five feet five in her 
stockings, with broad shoulders, great brawny arms, and feet in 
thick cloth shoe-- nine by fourteen, lined with sheep-skin with the 
wool on. She always wore a red and black petticoat, and a thick, 
close jacket, as did all the German girls. 

"Now, Margaret had a lover, and it would have made the most 
sober person in the world laugh to have seen them together, for 
this lover was a small, thin, white-haired youth of eighteen, who 
did not look as if he had the ambition of a snail, very comical 
they looked,— the tall, strong girl, and the little, thin, weak boy. 
lb did not come to see his 'fraulein' very often, for it was a 
i distance to walk. At last came the time for the wedding; 
mv mother made Margaret a large, frosted wedding-cake; so, with 
this and her bundle, she started for home one morning, bright and 
early. She arrived safely within a little way of her home, when 
being tired she sat down to rest. She fell asleep, and when she 
awoke it was dark; being sleepy and bewildered, instead of going 
home, she went squarely in the opposite direction. Great was my 
grandmother's astonishment, when Margaret's lover came the next 
day to see why his v schatz' had not come home. If she had not 
been home, she must be lost; so men went in every direction to 
search for her. 

"My grandfather was one of them, and the first night he was 
obliged to -hep at Margaret's home. He got into a bed four feet 
■ y comfortable for a man six feet tall), with a feather bed 
over him, as well as under; and he was not without company, for 
under the bed he found a pig. and roosting on slats above the bed 
were the fowls. Very good companions, but not exactly to my 
grandfather's taste. You can imagine how much sleep he obtained, 
with the mother wailing in the next room, the roosters crowing 
overhead, the gentle hum of the mosquito, broken by an occa- 
sional bite, and the pig grunting under the bed. 

"Butabout Margaret. Three days and throe nights she wandered 
through the woods, and at last came out at Portsmouth. She was 
brought to Saginaw in a canoe, and the cannon was fired (the only 
one on the riven to let those searching for her know she had been 
found. But not once had she tasted the wedding cake, which she had 



264 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

carried all the way, though she was nearly starved when she came 
out at Portsmouth. When asked why she had not eaten it, she an- 
swered : 'Oh, it was my wedding cake, you know. ' The wedding was 
celebrated a few days afterward, and the guests ate for dinner, out 
of their wooden bowls, soup made of smoked ham and rice boiled 
together, and the wedding-cake." 

THE DOCTOR'S MAN. 

The late Dr. was one who could seldom resist telling a good 

story, even when it turned the laugh against himself. On one 
occasion an Englishman whom he had recently engaged astonished 
him by appearing to wait at breakfast with a swollen face and 
a pair of unmistakable black eyes. " Why, John," said he, 
" you seem to have been fighting?" " Yes, master I have," was 
the reply. " And who may your opponent have been? ' 
" Why sir, Dr. M.'s man," naming a rival Esculapius. "And 
what did you fall out about?" " Why, sir, he said as you wasn't 
fit to clean his master's shoes." "And what did you say?" "Well, 
sir, I said you was!" 

A BEAR STORY. 

It is within the recollection of many present citizens ot Bay 
City, and they by no means very ancient in point of years, when 
bears were roaming the woods within its present limits. An in- 
veterate joker from the up-river village, on occasion of a visit to 
his brother at Bay City (" Lower Saginaw," as it was then) stopped 
at the hostelry of Judge Campbell, who had recently built the hotel 
since known as the " Globe," on the corner of what is now Water 
and Fifth streets, although its original size bore little resemblance 
to its present proportions. As "joker " sat in an easy chair 
toasting his shins by the fire, his brother entered in a hurry with 
a declaration to "joker," " There's a big bear just out in the 
woods!" 

Guns were always in readiness for sport, and it was but a few 
moments before the joker, led by his brother and one or two 
other friends, were hurrying through the stumps of the clearing 
which extended almost to Washington street. Cautiously feeling 
their way through the woods, they reach a point not far from the 
present site of the court-house, when joker was shown the bear, 
which proved to be a veiy large coal-black hog belonging to the 
brother, his pilot. After a good laugh the party wended its way 
back to the house. Joker watched his chance, by the way, to sep- 
arate from the rest, and to place in the gun a charge about 
six inches deep. On reaching the house, the gun was carelessly 
placed in the corner, and the company about the fire indulged in 
a series of jokes, and the enjoyment of a good time generally. 

Presently joker left the house, and went down to the river bank, 
about in the rear of the present Jennison block, returning after a 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 265 

short time with the carelessly imparted information that there was 
•• a thundering Hock of duck just settled on the river. " •• We'll 
have Some for upper," exclaimed his brother; and, seizing the gun 
from the corner, cautiously picked his way t<> a favorite log on the 
river hank, behind which he was accustomed to lay in wait for the 
feathered tribes. Joker and the rest of the company followed be- 
hind, and watched the sport. With the butt to Ids shoulder, and 
the barrel resting on the log, sportsman blazed away at the 
innocent duck-. It was hard to tell which end of the gun killed 
most. Sportsman fell back on the ground with his left hand to 
to his right shoulder, in his agony, asking between the paroxysms 
of pain, " What in thunder had got into that gun?" Why, you 
foolish fellow." said joker, " you've been trying to shoot ducks 
with a bear charge." All present saw the point of the joke, and 
it is said joined in attempting to relieve the sufferer, by copious ap- 
plications of whisky internally and externally. 

A -Tout OLD FARMER. 

A farmer, not a day's journey from the city, had occasion to ask 
one of his plowmen to go to plow with a pair of horses which had 
not been put into harness. The man excused himself, saying, "he 
wudna buckle wi* them, as they war some fashions an" no to be 
tiggit wi". " Without further argument the farmer went to the 
stable, harnessed the horses, took them to the field, put them in 
the plow. and. although he had passed his 60th year and had not put 
his hand to a plow for fifteen years, did what the young fellow 
demurred to do. and finished a day's plowing in capital style. 

'SQUIRE CONNING'S MoUTH. 

Squa-conning creek empties into the Saginaw river but a short 
distance above Bay City, and further than to say that at its mouth 
it i- a creek of considerable size, no other description will be 
needed. HarryC, brother of that old pioneer, our respected fel- 
low-citizen, Judge ('.. resided in early days at Saginaw City, and 
was noted a- an inveterate wag and practical joker. Having re- 
turned from a visit to the Judge at Bay City. Harry met a travel- 
ing dentist, who. in his peregrinations, had stumbled into the 
Saginaws, and was operating upon the mouths of the scattered set- 
tler-. "Doctor," said Harry, "I've just come up from the mouth 
of the river, ami 'Squire Conning wanted me t<> send you down to 
fix up his mouth. It's a thundering big mouth, and hasn't got a 
tooth in it." Elated with the prospect of a good job. the dentist 
jumped into ; t canoe (the only means of transit between the two 
places i, and paddled to Portsmouth (now 7th ward. Bay City). 
Reaching there, after eighteen miles of paddling, he made diligent 
inquiry for-- 'Squire Conning, "and his disgust may be better imag- 
ined than described when he found that he had passed the 'Squires 
mouth some miles up the river. 



266 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

MAKING A "LEVEL." 

Among the first constabulary force of Saginaw was one H., an 
old covey, who imagined that what he didn't know was hardly 
worth knowing. Let any one venture to tell him he did not un- 
derstand his business and see what would happen. He was given 
to lisping, whether for the beauty of the thing, through misfortune 
or what not, we are unable to inform the reader; but one thing is 
certain, he did lisp. Coming one day into the shop of Seth W., 
shortly after the election, he was accosted by Setn with, ""Well, 
H., how do you get along? Have plenty of business now-a-days?" 
"Yeth thiree," rejoined H., "lotth of it; made one level to-day, 
thir." "Ah, what did you levy on to-day?" asked S. "Leveled 
on a yoke ot thteerth." Where were the steers," asked ;S. "who 
owned them?" "They belonged to old Brown, up the Tittabawa- 
thee — were on hisplathe." "You've not been there to-day, have 
you! I've not missed you out of town," observed S. "That ithent 
nethethary; don't have to go there to level; can do itjustath well at 
home. The cattle are allthafe enough, and I know they are there; 
aint that enough! Do you thuppose I don't know what I am 
about? You don't fool old H. with any of your nonthenth, no 
thir-ee!" 

And the indignant official left the shop, cursing the stupidity of 
"thome folkth." This is what his friend "Mose" would call mak- 
ing a "dead level." 

A BAD JURY. 



It was during a certain term of the Circuit Court, when the Hon. 
Judge M., of happy memory, was presiding, that an old man was 
indicted by the grand jury on a charge of grand larceny. After 
receiving an impartial trial he was finally brought in "guilty " by 
the petit jury. As the Judge was in some haste to leave." — this 
case having been the last one on the calendar — he proceeded to 
pass the sentence of the law upon the prisoner, the jury still re- 
maining in the " box." 

" Mr. B.," commenced the Hon. Judge, " it becomes my most 
painful duty to pass the sentence of the law upon you— a duty which 
I fain would escape performing; yet I often find myself obliged, in 
the course of my judicial duties, 'to shut all the avenues of feeling 
leading to my heart, and forget for awhile that I possess the sensi- 
bilities of a man. Mr. B., in this case I find my duty doubly pain- 
ful, for I have known you for many years, and when you occupied 
a high and honorable position* in society, and were respected by 
your fellows for your uprightness and integrity. But what do 1 
see before me to-day? A man made after the image of his Maker, 
with his head silvered with age, found guilty of a crime by a jury 
of 12 of his own countrymen. Have you aught to say, Mr. B., 
why the sentence of the law should not be pronounced upon you?" 

"Judge," blubbered the old culprit, " I know that I am guilty; 
that I ought to suiter; that I deserve all, and more too, than the 



HI8T0R1 OF s \i;in \\\ COl \ I v. 2<)7 

law can inflict upon me; but Judge, look at that d — d j>o't/. To 
think that such a miserabh loohmgset of desperadoes should find 
me guilty, is more than 1 can stand: but go ahead. Judge; don't 
let me interrupt you." The reader may imagine the explosion 
that followed this Bpeech, in which the Hon. Judge lost a little of 
his " specific gravity." 

A BIG TOMATO. 

A notice in one of the county journals tells of a tomato which 
was raised in the Valley that year. It shows that duty rose above 
private interests in that office. Carter should have presented it 
and thus obviated silent profanity. "A big tomato L'l inches in 
circumference and 7 inches in diameter, weighing 3^ lbs., 

was brought to our office by George Carter and — carried 

it away again. He was kind enough to show it to the boys; for 
which he has our thanks." 

FROM SAGINAW TO " MA8H0'8 " HOI 

When the early denizens of the Valley started out on a duck 
hunt, a trip down the* river, or into the woods, the powder, ball 
and shot were not more es-ential elements for success or comfort 
on the expedition, than was the jug or bottle of whisky. This was 
of course in the times when everybody drank whisky and no 
evil was thought, whatever may have resulted from its use. Gard- 
ner Williams. u Lixa Boga " and Major Moseby (all long since 
departed this life) jumped into their canoe at Saginaw City one 
afternoon and paddled down the river to Masho's house, which 
was situated not far from McGraw's present mill. It was late when 
they started, and the shades of night came on long before they 
reached the head of Crow island. Meantime, sundry lunches had 
been taken from the jug in the bow of the canoe, and all was 
merry. At last the voyagers concluded that they must be almost 
down to .Masho's. and began to scan the shore. The rice marshes 
Dear Willow Island were taken for those which led to Masho's. 
and carefully they pulled themselves through the long grass, won- 
dering what had become of the eagerly sought-for dwelling. All 
night they worked among the tall grass, until the gray light of the 
morning disclosed to them the fact that they were seven miles 
from Masho's, and that their sanguine hopes had been more the 
wonderful effect of their brown jug in dispelling distances, than a 
reality. It was breakfast time when the three wearied and dis- 
pirited men reached their destination, where the justice (loin,' to 
their breakfast was good evidence that they had been disappointed 
in their supper of the night before. 

THE S( HOOL SLEIGH-RIDE. 

Harry C. was the mosl popular school teacher in the Saginaw 
\ alley, and for many year- "taught the young idea how to shoot 
Btraignt," in the humble school-house at Saginaw City. Finding 



268 HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

his scholars disposed on one occasion to be unruly, he coaxed them 
to obedience by the promise of a sleigh-ride as soon as snow came. 
The promise was enough, the unruly youths knew that it would not 
be forgotten, nor yet neglected; for their teacher always kept his 
word, whether it was to reward or punish. Good order and dili- 
gence in study resulted, and all looked forward with impatience to 
the advent of the winter. At last it came, a good snow-storm 
made glad the hearts of the youth, and ere many days the announce- 
ment was made that the sleigh-ride would take place on a certain 
afternoon. The long looked-for hour came at last, the expectant 
and hilarious scholars were gathered at the school-house, awaiting 
the coming of the teacher with the team. At last he came in 
sight, and such a team, and such a shout as the scholars raised, 
as Harry drove up to the school-house door, with a diminutive 
donkey hitched to a pair of bob-sleds! They piled upon the 
boards, boys and girls together, and 'they had their ride, and if 
they did not make Goldsmith Maid's time of 2:16, the survivors of 
the present day assure the writer that at the rate of two miles in 16 
hours, it was the most laughable and enjoyable sleigh-ride of their 
lives. 

THE TRAMP OF 1880. 

However strange it may appear to the people of the future to 
learn that amid the industrious people of the present time a pecul- 
iarly lazy character known as the " tramp" existed, the fact of its 
existence remains. 

John Sharp, a genuine member of the genus "Tramp," was 
arrested by an officer of the Saginaw police force, and placed in the 
lock-up. As usual, before entering this palatial abode, his pockets 
were searched. On his person were found three silver-plated 
spoons, one marked " Mc. ;" one entirely new improved Phoenix 
throat anatomizer, manufactured by Widaul, Tatham Oc Co., ot 
Philadelphia, a pint-and-a-half bottle of horse liniment ; one shirt; 
a piece of tapestry carpet about a yard long, and nine cents in 
money ; also a begging letter to the clergy as follows : 

Rev. Sir. — I am just after coming out of the hospital, where I have been for 
some time with the ague, and being a perfect stranger, I want to get to Bay City 
where I can get a boat. I hope you will be so kind as to lend me a trifle to help 
me; and may God bless you. Jack Thompson. 

The tramp of 1880 cannot be surpassed. Endowed win a non- 
chalance as terrible as his laziness is revolting, he spends his days 
in a semi-barbarous condition, oblivious alike to the opinions of 
gods and men. 

A TRADER ON THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Just below Saginaw City lives an old French settler, a happy 
type of the genial and happy class, one M c, not unknown 



HISTOBT OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 269 

to the older residents oi Etamtramck and Detroit. ^He lias resided 
here- many years, and gained his living by hunting and farming 
and acting at times as interpreter. His talk is a perfect case of 
non sequitur, Ins delight being at times to get ideas into proximity, 
having no relation one to the other — producing at times an effect 
which would defy the gravity of a puritan elder. A few years 
during the Mexican war, at an independence celebration, 
M — c, becoming patriotic, volunteered the following as his senti- 
ment: "De peoples on do Mexico— I hope dey all getlicked like 
do d — o! aint it?" The applause winch followed had no equal in 
that days rejoicing-. 

\ SLEIGH-RIDE IX 1854. 

Visions ot 2:40 were before me yesterday, as in company with 
G. D. W— , N. L— , C. E— , and T. W— , I entered W.'s family 
Bleigh for an ice ride to Zilwaukie, Portsmouth, Lower Saginaw, 
Bangor, and "as far as the ice would permit." The river was as 

glare as a French mirror plate, and the sharp-shod ponies shoved 
along over ir with right reins and loose traces, atapace that defies 
pursuit from anything le<s than a "quarter horse/* There are few 
sensations more invigorating, especially when the enjoyment is 
not palled by too frequent habit, than an ice ride of twenty miles; 
under a clear, bright winter's sun, with a bracing air, a spanking 
team, and a jovial company. All these I had, and I longed for 
nothing more than to have had along F. ^\ T . B — , Barney C — , 
M — . F> — . and a few more of the fast pony and horse men, who 
go down the River Rouge to trot, and pretend to call that ice to 
trot a h<>rse on. 

the Indian's whisky bottle. 

Some of these Saginaw Indians are intense wags in their way. 
< me of them having given a trader some annoyance, was told that 
incase he was -ecu again with a bottle, it would be taken from 
him ami thrown in to the tire. A few days after, the Indian 
appeared with his pint flask in his blanket as usual, but the 
trader was as good as his word, and demanded the bottle, which the 
Indian gave up and started for the door. The trader threw the 
flask into the stove upon which, whang went the stove, and out 
went the window-, the trader following close behind. The next 
time that man burns an Indian's whisky bottle, he will examine 
it. to see that it i- not of ••! mpont's" make. 



CHAPTER VII. 

SCIENTIFIC. 
GEOLOGICAL. 

The geological formations of the Lower Peninsula vary little 
from those of New York, Western Canada and Wisconsin. The 
first, the oldest formation, exists in the Upper Peninsula. Its rocks 
point out to the geologist the fact of its antiquity, and enable him 
to conclude that, if it is not actually the nucleus of this continent, 
it is at least coeval with the first formations. It has been stated 
that the land reaching from Trenton Falls to Saratoga was the first 
that appeared above the sea on the creation. Here are the trilo- 
bites in great variety, all modeled in black marble, so perfectly 
preserved in form that the multitudinous lenses of their eyes are 
as apparent under the microscope as are those, of a living fly. 
Millions of years before man walked the earth these creatures lived 
their life; the limestone took on their forms; they had become ever- 
lasting stone millions of years before there was a living man to see 
them. Of late years, however, the opinions of many men are in 
favor of locating the first upland north of Lake Huron, extending 
through Southwestern Canada to New York State. This is known 
as the Laurentian system, and is characterized by granite, gneiss 
and Syenite rocks. It existed long years before the drainage of 
the great sea, and was old even at the beginning of the Silurian 
era. Approaching nearer to the Valley of the Saginaw is the Huron 
system — something bearing the same relation to geology that the 
" Iron Age" does to history, from the fact that its mean character- 
istics are iron ores, quartz, chlorites, and all the rocks peculiar to 
the northern iron mines. Age may not be said to have aided in 
the formation of these ores; nor is it within the scope of the geo- 
logical knowledge of the present time to decide definitely as to the 
period or manner of their formation. 

There are numerous • systems and groups of rock connected 
with the Upper Peninsula, and with the northern portion of the 
Lower, entirely unknown in Central and Southern Michigan. It 
is stated by Winchell, Rominger,. Hall, and some of their review- 
ers, that the "group of rocks which form the Lower Peninsula of 
Michigan, being like so many oblong saucers fine within the other, 
depressed in the center of the State and outcropping at the edges, 
comprise, first, or lowest, the dolomitic limestones which are re- 
garded as the Helderberg group of New York. These are the 
oldest strata, whose outcroppings are found in the Lower Peninsula, 
and the lower portions are regarded as the bottom of some lagoon 

(270) 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 271 

in the old Devonian ocean, which in drying up has deposited it- 
saline properties in the form of rock salt. The next two saucers 
represent the Hamilton and black shale groups. Above or within 
there is another group whose only outcroppings are found around 
Saginaw Bay and on the eastern shore ot Lake Michigan. This 
is known as the Waverly group, and is formed of the salt-bearing 
sand rock, which is the source of the Saginaw brine. It is a sea- 
shore rock. Prints of sea weeds are found in it, and sharks' teeth, 
some of enormous size, and also the remains of enormous reed 
-. are found, testifying to the proximity of land. Hence we 
can infer that the waves of that Devonian sea, whose rocky bottom 
was far below, here dashed against the shore and deposited their 
briny burden for our use. 

" Let us understand that the formation which gives the most 
valuable salt brines in Saginaw Valley is now named the Waverly 
group by Dr. Kominger, State Geologist, and consists of a series of 
sandstones and blue and red shales amounting from 1,000 to 1,- 
200 feet in thickness. This formation commences at the bottom of 
the gypsum formation and extends downward to the black shales 
a- >een at Sulphur Island, Thunder Bay. Indications of solid rock 
salt have never been found in any of the salt wells of Saginaw 
Valley; but the outcrop of this Waverly group on the eastern shore 
of Lake Michigan is composed of sand drift, some 600 feet in thick- 
ness, which has long ago been deprived of its salt. Recent borings 
at Manistee, in the northwestern part of the State, passed through 
the 600 feet of sand, then into the soft shales of the Huron group, 
then into the linn if the Hamilton group, and lastly of the 

Helderberg group, striking, at the distance of 1,950 feet from the 
surface, the rock salt of the old Devonian ocean, and corresponding 
in all probability, to the rock salt of Goderich. In making these 
borings, brines of various strengths were found at different depths, 
but all below a depth of 1,400 feet. A well has quite recently 
been projected at Cheboygan. This point being in the Helderberg 
formation, there are grounds for supposing that borings will de- 
velop the same results that have been obtained at Goderich, Can- 
ada, where six strata of rock salt have been found." 

The period of the formation of underlying rocks from ocean 
sediments may be taken, upon which to base a geological inquiry. 
As has been stated, the Laurentian system formed the only land 
upon this continent at that time, and all south of what is now 
known as the line of the Canadian Pacific railroad, north of the 
Huron and Georgian waters, formed the interminable ocean. This 
relation of the land to the sea was maintained until the close of the 
completion of the corniferous group, when the uplifting of the sea 
bottom formed a broad belt of land in the southern part of the 
ila, together with a narrow belt, connecting it with a similar 
formation in Southern Ohio. At this time all central Michigan 
was submerged; but as years rolled on, the belt of land widened. 
and continued to expand, until, at the beginning of the formation of 
the coal rock, the greater portion of the Lower Peninsula rose 



272 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

above the waters and formed the marshes which ultimately re- 
solved themselves into coal beds, and kindred rocks. By the time 
the coal formation was established, the Peninsula was all upland. 
Lakes Michigan, Erie and Huron were not in existence: but, as 
Prof. Winchell remarks, "A stream flowed along the tracts, which 
have become the site of these lake.-." 

A great geological a?on passed while such a condition of the sur- 
face existed. We know that it was a vast succession of ages 
marked by mild climates, luxuriant vegetation and active animal 
populations, progressively advancing in the scale of being. This 
was the mesozoic ason. The Tertiary age came next and was 
marked by the growth of the mastodon, elephant and hundreds of 
laro-e animals, as well as by the diminution of the reptile species. 
The physical characteristics of Saginaw did not vary much then 
from those of its pioneer days. There were forests then as vast as 
those which covered the bosom of the land in 1819. In the course 
of time one wide glacier sheet buried the country, and the Green- 
land of the present time was pictured here. This glacier, esti- 
mated to be one mile in depth, dissolved before the sun of the 
o-eological summer, and left behind its wealth of "boulder drift," 
" Modified drift," and the thousand vestiges of its existence. Sub- 
sequently the country was deluged almost throughout its entire 
area. The barrier at the mouth of the Niagara river had not been 
then worn down, and the water, set back as one great lake from the 
blurt's of Lewiston to Detroit and westward still to Chicago. A 
broad channel continued from the present site of Saginaw Bay up 
the valley of the Shiawassee into the Grand River valley and 
westward' to Lake Michigan. All the country north of that line 
was insular, with a channel from 156 to 175 feet in depth, separating 
it from the main land. Inland from this point, barriers existed 
which partly dammed, for a time, the waters resulting from the 
melting of the glacier; the cold water accumulated in large inland 
lakes over many of the central and southern counties, and were 
concealed by the severity of the winters to a depth of three or 
even more feet. 

Around the borders of those lakes, and on shoals, the ice became 
consolidated with the underlying bed materials. Along the south- 
ern border, the Hamilton corniferous limestones occupying the 
surface were thus attached to great ice sheets. The return of 
spring renewed the dissolution of the glacier, and the water so dis- 
engaged rushed to the inland lakes. Those swelling in response to 
new accessions, burst their icy coatings, and the huge tables of 
stratified limestone, to which the ice-coats were attached, were 
raised up and floated with great ice-rafts before the southern 
breeze to the north, where spring-time dissolved their attachments 
and permitted them to settle. The era of submergement was not 
of long duration, as the waters, seeking release from their prisons, 
wore out the stubborn sand and rocks, reduced Niagara itself, and 
rushing through their conquered gaps, reduced the flood materially 
and left the present confines of the great lakes to be almost de- 



BISTORT? OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 273 

Enable. The valleys of the Shiawassee, Raisin, Huron, Saline, 
Qrand and other rivers point directly to the great aqueducts of this 
period, and Leave Little room to doubt the conclusions of geologists 
in this connection. Among all the formations there is not one 
holding a higher place in economical geology than the Michigan 
salt group. This consists of beds of clay and shale, with a Lime- 
stone strata thinly intercalated and a bed of gypsum from 10 to 20 
feet in depth. It may be considered the main reservoir, which 
supplies the wells along the Saginaw river. The brine is remark- 
ably strong, mixed with a tew partsof chloride of calcium, bromine 
and other substances. The bitter waters as they come from the 
salt blocks, contain chloride of calcium, chloride of magnesium, 
and a trace <>t' the bromide of magnesium. By proper manipulating 
these can be separated, and are used in the manufacture of cement. 
artificial -tone, and also in drying houses for the preservation of 
fruit. Bromine from the bromide of magnesium was manufactured 
in 1868, by I >r. < rarrigues. 

Geologists have asserted that the coal measures of the State un- 
derlie tlie counties of Saginaw. Shiawassee. Ingham, Jackson, 
etc. Experimental researches have been made in the counties of 
Tuscola east, and Shiawassee south of Saginaw county, but with 
limited capital, and without developing coal in paying quantities. 

THE FLORA OF THE COUNTY 

comprises almost ail the orders known in the Northern States. Of the 
L30 orders represented in Michigan, fully 11<> are common in the 
Valley of the Saginaw. The represented genera within this county 
are estimated at 370, comprising 850 species. Xew and beautiful 
flowers are added annually to the pioneer garden beds of the valley; 
wild flowers appear and fade, many beautiful colors, remembered 
by the old settlers, have disappeared within the last decade, and 
thus one of the most beautiful features of nature is undergoing 
marked change-. 

ZOOLOGICAL. 

The change- wrought by time have lightened the task of treating 
the zoological features of the county. All the great animals of the 
forest known to the pioneer- have ceased to inhabit the district; 
the remains of the pre-historic animals are hidden beneath the for- 
mation- of ages; the millions of reptiles which preceded the great 
Bummer lie buried hundreds of fathoms down. All that is left to 
remind us of uncultivated nature are the beautiful birds which visit 
the comity periodically or make it their home. Of these feathered 
denizen-, there are about 250 species known within Saginaw county. 
Of these birds a large number have been seen only at long inter- 
vals; others have been seen once ami disappeared, such as the 
Bummer red bird i Pyranga cestiva). The Connecticut warbler 
oromi8 agilis) is one of the most recent settlers and evidently 



274 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

intends to make the county his home. In the following list many 
birds never hitherto mentioned as belonging to this portion of the 
State, are named and placed in the class to which they belong. 

BIRDS. 

Family Sylviada* . — Polioptila cerulea. — Blue-gray gnatcatcher, 
a common summer resident. Regulus calendula, or ruby-crowned 
kinglet, is 'a spring and fall visitor, which spends the winter in the 
Southern States. Reguhis satrapa, or the golden-crowned kinglet, 
is found everywhere during the spring and autumn months. 

These being woodland birds, seek a home here and create the 
envy of the other families by the beautiful structures, or nests, 
which they build in the hemlock, oak or elm forests of the land. 
The eggs are three-eighths of an inch long, white in color, speckled, 
and dashed with umber and lilac. 

Family Turdidae. — The robin, or Turdus migratorius, is a resi- 
dent during spring and autumn, and even throughout mild winters. 
The wood thrush, or Turd/us mustelinus, is a common summer bird. 
The hermit thrush, or Turdus pallasi, has been found breeding dur- 
ing the spring and fall. The olive-backed thrush, or Twrdus 
swamsoni, is very common during the spring and fall. Wilson's 
thrush, or Turd 'us fuscesceiis, visits the county during spring, and 
in some instances builds its nest here. The brown thrush or 
thrasher, Harporhynchus rufus, resides here during the summer 
months. The catbird, or Minus carolinensis, come in large num- 
bers during the summer. The first and last mentioned may be 
seen in orchards and around barn-yards; the others in willow thick- 
ets, berry bushes, and round brush-heaps, where they build tem- 
porary nests. 

Family Saxicolidae. — The blue bird, or Sialia sialis, is found 
everywhere during spring, summer and autumn. It nests in de- 
caying trees, fence-posts, and feeds upon worms, grasshoppers, 
spiders and berries. 

Family Slttidae. — White-bellied muthatch, ovSitta carolinensis, 

is a common resident. The red-bellied hatch, or Sitta canadensis, 

■Mines here to spend the spring, summer and fall. It nests in 

holes in trees, and feeds upon spiders, ants, insects' eggs and 

ds. 

Family Paridae. — The titmouse, or black-capped chickadee, the 
Parus afirica<pillus of the Europeans, nests in the woods during fine 
weather, and comes into the city or village to spend the winter. 
It thankfully receives all the crumbs which fall from the tables of 
the people. 

Family Certhiadae. — The brown creeper is the only representa- 
tive here. It dwells here all the year round, muling a storehouse 
in the forest to lay up animal and vegetable food, in the shape of 
insects and seeds. 

Family Troglodytidae has six representatives here. The Caro- 
lina wren, though a straggler, is well known. He comes from the 
south, where he is known as Thryothoras hbdovicianus. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 277 

Bewick's wren, or Thryotkorus bewichii^ appeared liere for the 
first time very recently. His advance from the south was gradual. 

The house wren, or Troglodytes cedon, is found in large num- 
bers in the central townships of the county.' 

The winter wren is a well known visitor, sometimes spending 
the winter in the valley. He is known by the telling title Anor- 
thura troglodyte. 

The long-billed marsh wren, or Telmatodytes palustris, builds 
a suspended nest among the marsh-reeds or in sand grass. There 
he remains during the summer and then migrates. 

The short-billed wren prefers meadow land and builds a large 
Qest in a secure place. This family of miniature birds feeds upon 
insects, grasshoppers, snails, moths and other delicacies. 

Family Syl/oicolidae comprises no less than 33 representatives 
in Saginaw county. The black and white creeper nests beside a 
fallen tree, — the blue yellow-winged warbler in the tree-tops of 
swamps and heavily timbered land. The blue-winged yellow war- 
bler is a rare visitor. The blue golden-winged warbler remains 
here during summer and breeds in low, damp woodland. 

The Nashville warbler, orange-crowned warbler, Tennessee 
warbler, yellow warbler, black-throated green warbler, 
blue warbler, Blackburnian, yellow-rumped, black-poll, bay- 
breasted, chestnut-sided, black and yellow, Cape May, prairie, 
yellow-throated, Kirtland's, yellow red-poll, pine creeper and per- 
haps two or three other species of the warbler family, are well 
known visitors. 

The water thrush, short and long billed, and the redstart be- 
long to the family, and are common here. 

The Connecticut warbler, a stranger here until 1881, the Mary- 
land yellow-throat, the mourning, the hooded fly-catcher, black- 
capped fly-catcher, Canada fly-catcher, all favorite warblers, are 
begi nni ng to make the county their home. 

This is the second family in importance among the birds of North 
America. Their food consists chiefly of insects, varied with fruit 
and berries. They peep into crevices, scrutinize the abodes of the 
insect world and never suffer from want. This family is the 
BCOurge of the orchard and oftentimes destroys fruit fields of great 
value. 

Family Alaud/idae — The horned lark, or Eremophila alpestris, is 
a winter dweller here and nests during the close of the cold sea- 
son. There is another species of the horned lark, which leaves on 
the approach of winter. Both build their nests on the ground, 
breed in April, and play around the farm yard or over gravelly 
-oil. 

The titlark belongs to the family Motacillidae. They flock 
hither in tens of thousands during spring and often remain until 
fall. 

Family Tanagridae. — The scarlet tanager,or Pyranga ruhraM a 
common visitor. The summer red-bird, hitherto referred to as a 
recent explorer of the North, is very rarely seen here. 

17 



278 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Family Ampelidae. — The Bohemian wax- wing, or Amjpelis 
garrulus, is a recent and rare visitor. The cherry bird, or Caro- 
lina wax-wing, breeds here in August and September. They feed 
upon apples, cherries and berries, but are not numerous enough 
to cause any great anxiety to the pomologist. 

Family Hirundinidae comprises the barn swallow, the white- 
bellied swallow, the eave swallow, the sand swallow and the pur- 
ple martin. These birds destroy myriads of winged insects, and 
make them their principal food. The swallow, though not so 
showy as her gaudy neighbors, confers more real benefit upon the 
people than any other member of the bird tribe. 

Family Vireonidae comprises the red-eyed vireo, brotherly-love 
vireo, or Vireo philadephicus, warbling vireo, yellow-throated 
vireo, solitary vireo and white-eyed vireo. They feed chiefly on 
insects, dwell in the forests, and seldom as they come to town, are 
in a hurry to return to their rustic homes. 

Family Lanidae. — The great northern shrike, or Collurio bore- 
alis, sometimes remains here to breed, but is not such a perma- 
nent settler as the loggerhead shrike, which makes its home here 
the year round. The white-rumped shrike is seen here during the 
summer months. They are very quarrelsome among themselves, 
and savage toward other birds. They impale their victims on 
thorns and leave them there until driven by hunger to eat them. 

The Family Corvidae is becoming extinct, or at least, very un- 
common here. During the present year the few which visited left 
suddenly, contrary to all precedent. This birds are omnivorous, 
and comprise among others the raven, crow and blue jay. Their 
evil ways are almost compensated for by their good qualities, and 
some are inclined to believe that the benefits they confer are far 
in excess of the damage they do. 

The Family Fringillidae is the most extensive known in the 
States of the Union. It is graminivorous, except during the breed- 
ing season, when it feeds itself and young on insects. The rose- 
breasted grosbeak is the only member of the family which feeds 
upon the potato bug. The white-crowned sparrow's food is the 
grape-vine flea-beetle; the fox-sparrow and chewink search out 
hybernating insects and snails; the English sparrow, a recent im- 
migrant, feeds on seeds; the purple finch and crossbills feed on 
oily seeds and the seeds of pine cones. 

The names of the varied representatives of this tribe, are: The 
pine grosbeak, purple finch, white-winged crossbill, red crossbill, 
red-poll linnet, mealy red-poll, pine linnet, goldfinch, snow bunt- 
ing, Lapland longspur, Savanna sparrow, bay-winged bunting, 
yellow-winged sparrow, Henslow's, Lincoln's, swamp, song, chip- 
ping, field, clay-colored, white-throated, white-crowned, fox, and 
English sparrows. The latter bird was introduced here in 1873- 1 4. 
The blue-bird, martin, swallow, and other sparrows have to fly be- 
fore the approach of their legions. The lark, finch, black-throated 
bunting, rose-breasted grosbeak, the indigo bird and the Towhee 
bunting, or chewink, are not so destructive as the English spar- 



II I -TORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 279 

row; they have their uses; but it is likely that when the people 
realize the importance of the destruction of the imported sparrow, 
the whole family will fall with that branch. 

Family Ictendae. — The bobolink, cow-bird, red-winged black- 
bird, meadow lark, rusty grackle, crow black-bird. Baltimore and 
orchard orioles belong to this family. The cow-bird destroys the 
egge and young of stranger birds. The oriole feeds on hairy cater- 
pillars during the season of breeding; this bird is of service in the 
orchard, and for this service she accepts the first small fruits and 
ether luxuries of the garden. The other members of the family 
may be termed gregarious; they feed on the seeds of weeds, oats, 
wheat, corn, and on flies and insects. 

The Tyrannidae Family subsist almost altogether on flies, which 
they pursue and capture in the most open places. The pewee 
and king-bird pursue their victims in the light of day, and even 
should it escape for a time, it eventually falls before the lance of 
it> pursuer. The family comprises the king-bird, wood pewee, 
phoebe bird, together with a half-dozen fly-catchers, variously 
named. 

The Ga/pri/rmdgidae Family comprises the whippoorwill, or An- 
trostomits vocifenis, which is a common summer resident here, 
and the night-hawk, another well-known summer bird. They are 
given to "jay-hawking," and select the night for seeking their 
prey. Then thousands of grasshoppers, moths, beetles, winged 
insects and flies become their prey. The chimney swallow cap- 
tures its prey upon the wing in a similar manner; but it belongs 
to the OypseHaat family. 

The Alcedinidae. — The only representative of this family in the 
county is said to be the belted king-fisher, which comes here in 
summer to spend the fishing season. If it doesnot atonce succeed 
in catching one of the finny tribe, it is capable of abstaining until 
Buccess crowns its efforts. 

The Trochilidae. — This family is well represented here by the 
humming-bird. This is an animated cluster of emeralds and 
rubies, which comes to delight the people in May, and continues 
with them until September. 

OuouUdae. — The only member of the OucndidcB residing here dur- 
ing the summer months is the black-billed cuckoo, which comes 
to visit the woods and orchards of the State in the middle of June, 
ami remains until harvest time. 

The Picidae Family, as represented here, is composed of seven 
Bpeciea <>f woodpecker, known as the downy, the hairy, the Arc- 
tic black-back, the yellow-bellied, red-bellied, red-headed, and 
jr<>lden-winged. The family subsist on timber insects, fruit, 
Berries and green corn. The yellow-bellied woodpecker is very 
destructive to apple trees; he sucks the sap of trees in some parts 
of the Union, but owing to the length of winter in Northwestern 
Michigan, he has no time to do much mischief here. 

The Strigidas Family comprises the barn owl, great horned owl, 
long-eared owl, short-eared owl, snow owl, hawk owl, sparrow owl, 



280 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

and Acadian owl. A few of these are very common residents here, 
the last named is an immigrant which settled here in 1879. All 
form the noctunral branch of the raptorial species, and select for 
their prey rats, mice, fish, frogs, chickens, birds of all kinds, 
and sometimes young pigs. They have their uses. 

The Falconidae Family is comparatively extensive, and is fully 
represented here. It includes the marsh hawk, white-tailed kite, 
sharp-shinned hawk, goshawk, Cooper's hawk, pigeon hawk, spar- 
row hawk, red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, broad-winged 
hawk, Swainson's hawk, rough-legged hawk, the fish-hawk, and the 
bald eagle. They are birds of prey which select day-time for car- 
rying on their operations. The fish-hawk will eat only fish. The 
bald eagle's favorite food is carrion and fish. When his taste 
leans toward fish, he generally makes a descent upon the fish- 
hawk. 

Family Cathartidae.— The turkey buzzard, or Cathartes aura, is" 
common in the county during July and August. They are entirely 
carnivorous, and come here after the period of incubation has 
been passed in the Southern States. 

Family Meleagridae is represented here by the wild turkey. 
This bird was well known here in olden times, but has now almost 
ceased to be a resident. 

Family letraonidae is peculiarly one of game birds. It 
includes the partridge or ruffed grouse, the quail and the prairie 
chicken. The quail is a common resident of the county, and 
appears to attain its greatest size here. These birds subsist on the 
various grains, seeds, berries, buds, grapes and chestnuts. They 
form a family of large and beautiful birds, but incapable of being 
thoroughly domesticated. 

Family Columbidae includes the wild pigeon and Carolina dove. 
The latter resides here during the greater portion of the year. 
The pigeon is thoroughly graminivorous in its tastes, and. in this 
respect differs from the family Tetraonidae. 

Family Phalaropodidae comprises the northern phalarope and 
Wilson's phalarope, two migrants which build their nests here at 
long intervals. 

Family Charadridae, or the plover tribe, is represented here by 
thekilldeer, semipalmated, piping, golden and black-bellied plovers. 
They feed upon mollusks, water insects, grasshoppers, beetles, 
etc. This family is inferior in size to its European kindred. 

Family Ardeidae includes the great bittern or Indian hen, the 
little bittern, the great blue, great white, green and night herons. 
These birds are summer residents, with the exception of the night 
heron, which dwells here the year round. 

Family Gruidae, represented here by the sandhill crane and 
the whooping crane. Neither of these birds breeds here, and they 
may be set down as common stragglers or "tramps." 

Family Colymbidae is very small. Only two representatives are 
found here, viz. : the common loon, Avell known for many years^ 
and the black-throated loon, a recent visitor. To form an idea Of 



HISTORY OF 8AGINAW COUNTY. 281 

the quickness of this apparently unwieldy bird, one must make an 
attempt to capture him alive oreven to shoot him. During travels 
in the Northwest the writer found three specimens of the family 
living quietly in a lakeside nest 

Family Rallidae, or rail tribe, is comparatively well known 
here. It includes the Carolina rail, Virginia rail, Florida galli- 
nule, and coot, all commou summer birds ; together with the black, 
yellow, king, and clapper rail, rare summer visitors. 

Family Earidae comprises all the terns and gulls known in the 
te aperate zone of our continent. The birds of the tribe common 
to Saginaw county are the herring gull, the ring-billed, the laugh- 
ing, and Bonaparte's gulls. The forktail gull is an uncommon visi- 
tor. The terns best known here are the marsh, Arctic, least, 
black, Forster's, and Wilson's. 

Family Podicipidae, or grebe tribe, comprises the horned grebe, 
pied-billed grebe, common residents ; together with the red-necked 
and eared grebe, a class of rovers which direct their flight hither 
at long intervals. 

Family Anatidae is perhaps the best known and most useful of 
the feathered race. It comprises the goose, duck, widgeon, teal 
and merganser. The birds of the tribe common to the county are 
the brant and Canada goose, the mallard, black, pin-tail, gadwall, 
wood, big black-head, little black-head, ring-necked, poachard, 
canvas-back, golden-eye, butter-ball, long-tailed, Labrador, ruddy 
and fish ducks, the red-breasted merganser, the hooded merganser, 
American widgeon, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, and the 
shoveller teal. 

The Family Scolopacidae includes the woodcock, American 
snipe, red-breasted snipe, upland plover, long-billed curlew, stilt 
sandpiper, seinipalmated, least, pectoral and red-backed sand- 
pipers, T ,Vil]st, greater yellow legs, lesser yellow legs and solitary, 
spotted ami buff-breasted sandpipers. All these birds are common 
here. They are all "waders." and subsist on aquatic insects, grass- 
hoppers, mollusks, crustaceans, etc. 

THE MAMMALIA. 

The New York bat and brown bat are common. The mole shrew 
\ isits the gardens and appears to be quite at home in the county. 
The common mole is found in the low lands, and the star-nosed 
mole in dry and wet lands throughout the county. 

The Family Felidae is represented here by the wildcat. Until 
recently the animal was abundant in the Valley. 

The Family Canidae is represented by the red, black and gray 
foxes. The two latter are wry rare now; even the former, once 
BO abundant, is fast passing away. The wolves were all killed oft 
many years ago. 

Th> Family Mustelidai comprises the brown weasel, the Rich- 
a^d80iiU, or little ermine, the white and least weasels, the common 
weasel, the mink, the otter, and the skunk. Even these animals, 
once so common, are beinif; thinned out. 



282 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The Family Urisidae is represented here by the raccoon, the black 
and white coons. This year some fine specimens of the family- 
were captured and brought under notice of the writer. The black 
bear roves into this county at times. 

The Family Sciuridae comprises the fox, gray, black and flying 
squirrels, the common chipmunk, the striped gopher, and the 
woodchuck. All are common here, with the exception of the com- 
mon gopher, which has wandered away to the more open counties. 

The Family Mur'tdae includes the common mouse, the jumping 
mouse, the harvest mouse, deer mouse, meadow mouse, short-tailed 
meadow mouse, the brown and black rats, and the muskrat. These 
are all found within the county. 

The Family Cervidae is still represented here by the Cervus vir- 
gimanius, or common deer. 

The Zeporidae family is well represented by the common rabbit 
of the land. . 

The bear, wolf, lynx, and all the other Camivora have left the 
county forever. 

ARCHAEOLOGY. 

In the wanderings of the Mound-Builders the Peninsula was not 
overlooked. Here are many evidences of their coming and their 
stay. In dealing with their occupation of Saginaw Valley it will 
be necessary to extract the following from a lengthy paper, pre- 
pared on the subject, by "W". R. McCormick: 

" My father emigrated with me to the Saginaw Yalley in 1832. 
My associations were mostly with the Indians, whose language I 
became very familiar with. For several years I was engaged in the 
fur trade, during which time my business was to go up the several 
tributaries of the Saginaw to buy furs of the Indians, and on nearly 
all such occasions I found indications that the Saginaw and its 
tributaries had been densely populated at some remote period by 
another race of people prior to the Indians. 

" On the bluff just below the city of Flint there were, 48 years 
ago, when I first saw them, eight large mounds, which I saw 
opened. They were from 20 to 10 feet in diameter and about five 
feet high. When opened they were full of human bones, all oi" 
which were in a better state of preservation than in any mounds I 
have examined. We found one shin-bone with a flint arrow em- 
bedded in it and broken off, showing that it was part of the leg of 
an Indian killed in battle. We found no implements but pieces of 
flint. The bones indicated a larger race of people than the pres- 
ent Indians. 

"We now proceed down the Flnt river until we come to the high 
bluff one mile above the village of Flushing, on the Bailey farm, 
and examine the mounds at that point which I shall designate as 
the Bailey mounds. I first saw these mounds opened in 1833 or 
1831. At that time this farm was one dense forest. I think there 
were about 20 mounds, great and small, some 10 feet or more in 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 283 

diameter and six feet high, with pine trees growing on the top of 
them as large as those in any part of the forest. "We found upon 
opening the largest one that it was full of human bones. The skel- 
etons did not appear to be arranged in any order, but had been 
thrown promiscuously together before they were covered, leaving 
hardly a doubt but they had been slain in some battle. The bones 
were too much decomposed to find any marks of violence upon 
them. Subsequent events in after years have confirmed my belief 
that this once populous race of the Saginaw Valley had bean exter- 
minated by another race of people. 

" From the Bailey mounds we will resume our explorations 
down the river. At several points, always in the elbow of the river, 
and also always on the bluff where you could get a view up and 
down the river, there would be two or three mounds, but of not so 
large dimensions as those above until you reach a point about 12 
miles below. There, contrary to the custom of the Mound-Builders, 
you find on the east side of the river and on the flat nearly 100 
graves, which tradition says are those of Indians, all of whom died. 
in one day and night with some sickness which the Great Spirit in 
hi> anger had sent amongst them. This must have been some 
epidemic, for we know that when the Indians have had the small 
pox or any other contagious diseases amongst them they have all 
flocked together. In their tradition of this incident they say it was 
their own nation, over 100 years before that time, which was then 
in 1835, and not the Mound-Builders. 

" Some 10 miles further down the river, having seen only a few 
small mounds, we come to the old Indian fields — now the Ross 
t'ann. but formerly the residence, in an early clay, of the old 

fioneer, James McCormick. This land was given to him by the 
ndians — their white brother, as they used to call him — and was 
on the Indian reservation. Here there were four large mounds 
together in the elbow of the river on the bluff, like the Flint and 
Bailey mounds heretofore described, and several more on the flat 
below. The bones in these mounds were very much decomposed, 
especially those on the flat which I helped to plow down myself; 
so that when they were exposed they crumbled to pieces. This 
was no doubt owing to the difference of soil, the ground being 
much lower and subject every spring to overflow of the river. But 
I have no doubt all the mounds are nearly of the same period. "We 
plowed up in those mounds a great variety of stone implements, 
which were carried off by curiosity seekers. 

•• Proceeding down the river to the mouth of the Tittabawas- 
at a place formerly called Green Point, a favorite camping 
ground of the Indians in olden time and where they had their corn 
fields, quite a distance back from the riverou the prairie, contrary 
to all previous experience, we discovered twovery large mounds. I 
think when I first saw them in 1836 they were 60 feet long and 30 
wide by tour or five feet high. They are on very low ground and 
subject every spring to be inundated by the river, and for con- 
venience I snail call them the Green Point mounds. I also saw 



'2S4: HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

one after it had been opened, and the whole interior appeared to 
be of a whitish substance, evidently of decomposed Indian bones, 
the decomposition being more rapid than for the same length of 
time elsewhere, owing to the lowness of the land and the overflow 
of the river. What the relic hunters found in these mounds I 
never ascertained. 

"We now proceed up the Tittabawassee river some four miles, to 
the farm on which the late James Fraser first settled when he came 
to the Saginaw Valley, where there is one very large mound, which 
I shall call Fraser's mound. This is also situated on the bluff in 
the elbow of tlfe river. This mound comprises nearly half an 
acre of ground. Xo one ever imagined this to be a mound until 
some years since, when the river had worn away the bank and the 
ice in the spring had torn away the side so that the bones fell into 
the river. 

"From this point we will proceed up the Cass river to the farm 
of A. Lull, now the village of Bridgeport, which is about six 
miles from East Saginaw. Mr. Lull informs me that there were 
several mounds there. And I have been informed by the old In- 
dian traders that when they first came to the Saginaw Valley, at 
the bend of the Cass where the village of Bridgeport now stands, 
there was also a regular earth-work fortification, comprising sev- 
eral acres. I have never examined these mounds, but have got 
my information from M. A. Lull, who is an old pioneer, a mem- 
ber of this society, and from other old settlers. The present In- 
dians say this fortification was built by another race of people be- 
fore the Indians came here, and that they were more like white 
people, as they made kettles and other dishes of clay. I have in 
my possession several specimens of pottery, which I have taken 
out of mounds. 

"On the Saginaw river, toward its mouth, when we come to 
what is now the corner of Twenty-fourth and Water streets in Bay 
City, where the Center House now stands, we find the old McCor- 
mick homestead. Here were two large mounds in the garden, 
which my father plowed and scraped down. They contained a 
number of skeletons, stone axes, knives, and quite an amount of 
broken pottery. Some thirty rods below, on Water street, 
between Twenty-second and Twenty-third streets, is an elevation, 
the highest on the river, on which is located the Bay City brew- 
ery, Barney hotel, the residence of W. R. McCormick and other 
residences, comprising nearly two acres. I wish to describe this 
elevation as I saw it, in a state of nature, over forty-five years 
ago. For many years it was considered to be a natural elevation 
of the land, but subsequent excavations have proved it to have 
been constructed by some remote race of people. 

"When I first became acquainted with the location it was cov- 
ered with a dense growth of timber, with the exception of the 
mound and about an acre and a half in the rear of it, where the 
earth was taken from to build the mound. It was then a duck pond, 
with water three feet deep, grown up with alder bushes. Iu 



HI-TORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 285 

grading Twenty-second street through the north end of the mound, 
some years since, we found at a depth of LI feet three skeletons 
of very large stature with large earthen pots at the head of each. In 
excavating for the cellar of the Bay City brewery, we found at the 
depth of four feel the remains of Indians in a good state of preser- 
vation, with high cheek bones and receding forehead, while, below 
these again, at the depth of four or five feet, the remains of a 
more ancient race, of an entirely different formation of skull, and 
with those burned stone implements and pottery were found. I 
have been unable to preserve any of these skulls, as they crum- 
bled to dust when exposed to the air. I found one skeleton in a 
sitting position, facing the west, with a very narrow head, and long, 
as if it bad been compressed. I laid it aside in hopes to preserve 
it, but in a few hours it had crumbled to pieces. This mound is full 
of the remains of ancient pottery and small stones that have been 
through the action of fire. A friend of mine found an awl made 
of copper which was quite soft with the exception of about an inch 
from the point which was so hard that a file would scarcely make 
an impression on it. This seems to me to show that the Mound- 
Builders had the art of hardening copper. We also find that they 
had the art of working in metals, as we will show. This comprises 
the mound- on the east side of the Saginaw river. 

•'We will now pass over to the west side near the mill of More, 
Smith & Co. There was here. 45 years ago, a mound just 
above the mill about loo feet across in a circular form and about 
three feet high. Originally it must have been much higher. I 
have never examined this mound, but have understood from old 
settlers that there was a great many stone implements found in it. 
The plow has nearly leveled it. so that it is scarcely noticed any 
more. 

"The mound which was located near the west end of the De- 
troit & Hay City railroad bridge, for reference I will call the 
Birney mound, as it is located on the lands of that great phil- 
anthropist, the late Hon. James (4. Birney. This mound was not 
so large in circumference, but much higher than the one just no- 
tie.-d. In this were also found human bones, in a much better 
state of preservation than any .of the rest. I procured from this 
mound a skull with a hole in it just above the temple bone, pro- 
duced by a sharp instrument, which undoubtedly caused death. 
This skull I presented to J. Morgan Jennison, of Philadelphia. 
It was of an entirely different formation from the Indian skull of 
the ]. resent day, as it did not have their high cheek bones nor 
their receding forehead, but a very intellectually developed head, 
showing that it was of a different race of people from the Indian. 
Some years since some boys were digging in the side of the 
mound, as they had often done before, to get angle-worms for 
fishing, when they came aero-- a small silver canoe, about five 
inches long. A gentleman who was fishing with them, offered 
them 50 cents for it, which they accepted. After cleaning it up, 
he found it to be of exquisite workmanship, with the projecting 



286 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

ends tipped with gold. A rough copper kettle of peculiar shape 
and make, having been wrought into shape by hammering, with- 
out any seam, was also taken from one of these mounds, and is 
now in the State capitol amongst Mr. Jennison's collections of 
antiquities. 

"The next mound was about half a mile up the river, and for- 
merly stood in the center of Linn street, West Bay City, but has 
been graded down many years since. I was not there at the time, 
but was informed by others that it contained human bones and 
stone implements. Charles E. Jennison, a pioneer of Bay City, 
informs me that he dug up two skeletons many years ago, in the 
side of this mound. He found with the skeletons two copper ket- 
tles, which he has still in his possession. I am inclined to think 
these were not the remains of the original Mound-Builders, but a 
race of a subsequent period. 

kl We now proceed a half-mile more up the river, to the rise of 
ground in the rear of Frank Fitzhugh's grist-mill. This eleva- 
tion, 45 years ago, when I first saw it, was the most picturesque 
spot on the Saginaw river. Here was also a beautiful spring of 
cold water, and was a favorite camping ground of the Indians. 
It was also, according to the Indian tradition, the original site of 
the Sauk village, and where the great battle was fought when the 
Chippewas exterminated that nation. This I will call the Fitz- 
hugh mound, as it is on the lands of Frank Fitzhugh. This eleva- 
tion, comprising two or three acres, was always thought to be 
natural; but I am satisfied from recent excavations, and a low 
place to the southwest, that the earth has been taken from this 
point to raise the mound higher than the surrounding land, and 
that it is, therefore, mostly artificial. Then again, the land ad- 
joining on the north is a yellow sand, while on the south the land 
fell oft" abruptly, and is composed of the same kind of soil as the 
mound, black sand and loam, from where the earth was taken. 
I am now speaking of this mound as it appeared 45 years ago. 
Since then the railroad company have excavated a part of it for 
ballasting up their road, and many other excavations and altera- 
tions have taken place, so that it has not the same appearance it 
had when I first saw it. Some year.s since Mr. Fitzhugh, or the 
village authorities of Wenona, now West Bay City, excavated a 
street through this mound, which brought to light many relics and 
proved beyond a doubt that this eminence was a mound built in re- 
mote ages. A great many skeletons were exhumed, together with 
a great many ornaments of silver, broken pottery, stone imple- 
ments, etc., and, like the McCormick mound on the opposite side of 
the river, was full of broken stone which had been through the ac- 
tion of fire. 

"There are also fourfortifications on the Rifle river, in township 
22 north. They contain from three to six acres each, containing 
several mounds of large size. They are also situated on the 
bluffs. The walls can yetbe traced, and are from 3 to 4 feet high 
and from 8 to 10 feet wide, with large trees growing upon them. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW CO TNT V. 287 

A friend of mine opened one of these mounds and took from it 
a skeleton of larger size than an ordinary person. He says he also 
saw several large mounds on the Au Sable river. 

"I have thus given the society an idea of how these mounds ap- 
peared before the hand of man had destroyed and leveled them 
down. Many of them can yet be seen, but the plow has helped 
to level many of them, with the exception of the Eraser, Fitzhugh 
and McCormick mounds. And to prove that the last three are arti- 
ficial and not natural is the fact that in the rear of all these are low 
places, showing where the earth had been taken from to build the 
mounds, which had taken the work of years. Again, the soil on 
the mounds differs from the soil around them, with the exception 
"t'the low places referred to from where the earth was taken; and 
finally, the most convincing proof of all is that you can dig 
down until you come to the original surface and will find various 
kinds of stone implements, broken pottery and great quantities of 
stone broken by the action of fire. And in no part of the valley 
will you find those relics except in those mounds. The main ob- 
jection t<> my theory is. How could so large an elevation and of 
such extent be built by so primitive a people as the Fitzhugh, 
Fraser and McCormick mounds.' but more extensive works have 
been found in Butler county, Ohio. I account for so much small 
broken stone being in these mounds by the manner in which they 
cooked their food. As their pottery was not made to stand fire, 
the stones were heated and then put into the vessels to cook their 
food, which occasioned their breaking to pieces when the}' came 
in contact with the water." 

That the valley of the Saginaw was inhabited at the time when 
Egypt, the East Indies and the Chinese Empire wallowed in luxury 
cannot be questioned. That it was settled when the Delaware 
filled its valley to overflowing; while yet the lands south of it 
were covered with the waters of a great lake, may be taken for 
granted. Its settlement may have occurred prior to the age of the 
Neanderthal man; but that it was accomplished in later days by 
the Mound-Builders, or their kinsmen, the Cave-Dwellers, must 
be conceded. The deposits, the depth at which relics have been 
found, the repetition of soils, impressions in rocks and location of 
boulders and fire-stones — all indicate its occupation by that race 
of beings which has left only mute memorials of their stay to 
guide inquiry. 

PHYSICAL CHAKACTERISTK 8. 

The region of the Saginaw presents acomparatively level appear- 
ance, which does not vary even in the valley proper. The Sagi- 
naw Ridge, known tOgeOlogista as the western limits of the hake 
Erie of ancient days, runs through the county, and tonus a continu- 
ation of the "lake ridge" running southeast through the southern 
townships of Washtenaw to the beginning of the formation in 
Monroe county. When the settlers first entered this district the 



288 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

beech and maple flourished along this eminence, with the more 
sturdy pine forests stretching away on each side. Since that 
time the trees have disappeared beneath the advance of the lum- 
ber-man and agriculturist, and what formed the fairest portion of 
the wilderness is now transformed into the most productive and 
richest grain garden in the valley. Along the Saginaw and 
Tittabawassee the lowlands are simply muskeg formations — rich 
in every component of soil, but so liable to inundation that their 
utilization as farm lands must be brought about by the labors of 
another generation. 

Throughout the county there are many acres of marsh land easily 
drained and capable of high cultivation. Great advances have 
been made in this direction during the last quarter of a century. A 
large portionof the tract on which the city of East Saginaw now stands, 
was, within the memory of the pioneers, aland of reptiles and miasms ; 
but the reptiles disappeared before the advance of man, the slug- 
gish waters flowed off through channels made by enterprise, a few 
short years sufficed to convert the muskeg into solid land, and a 
few more to render it lit for the erection of the vast buildings of a 
great northern city. 

The soil is all that the farmer could desire. A deep, dark, 
sandy loam, with a yellow or blue clay subsoil, is found through- 
out the valley. At intervals a small boulder formation may occur, 
but generally the rich soil is free from rock. The land approaches 
that of the Red River valley in almost every particular, notwith- 
standing the fact of its pine production, and as capable of produc- 
ing cereals as is the alluvial soil of the treeless and inhospitable 
Northwest. Within the limits of the county are several thriving 
towns and villages, every one with its circle of lumber, salt, and 
agricultural resources. Important rivers and streams course 
through the county, each forming an avenue of prosperity. 
Railroads spread out in every direction, communicating with the 
older and duller world beyond the woods, and bearing to that 
world large supplies of lumber and salt and even grain — all 
wrung from the bosom of this land. Enterprise directs all, — from 
the newly built log cabin to the great marts of the two cities of 
the county, business rules supreme, winning men from thoughts 
of idle hours to the higher and nobler ones of building up a new 
land, of serving others of the present, and preparing for those of 
the future while winning for themselves a competence and the 
honors to which their industry and enterprise entitle them. 

THE WATER COURSES 

of the district comprise the Sac-haw-ning, or home of the Sacs ; the 
Onottoway-se-he-wing, or river of the Onottoways, now called Cass 
river; the Pe-wa-ne-go-ink-se-be, or Flint river; the Tit-ta-ba-was-see, 
or river running parellel with the shore; the Shiawassee, or beauti- 
ful stream; the O-gah-haw-ning, or Pickerel river, now called the 
Kaw-kaw-lin; the Mlch4e-gay-ock\ the Ma-qua-na-ke-see, or Bear 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 289 

creek; the Ch&boy-g%m\ Matchfr-sibi, or Bad river; Missa-bos-sibij 
or Eare river; Zau-wis-haw-nirig, or Bass river; Squarhmiming, or 
Last Battle river. 

THE SAGINAW 

forms the great receiver of all these rivers and streamlets. The 
( lass flows into it from the east; the Tittabawassee from the North- 
west: the Flint and Shiawassee from the south, — all contributing to 
render the Saginaw a great navigable river. The length of the 
river proper is estimated at 25 miles, and with its great feeders and 
neighboring streams, drains 3,390,400 acres. The estimated length 
of these feeders is set forth as follows: The Cass 125 miles, the 
Flint 103 miles, the Shiawassee 95 miles, the Bad 54 miles, and 
the Tittawabassee, 105 miles. The Saginaw pursues a northeast- 
erly course and flows into the head of Saginaw Bay. It varies in 
depth from 15 to 20 feet, and its average width is 240 yards. The 
banks of the river are in some places bold, while in others they are 
low and skirted with wet prairie. Numerous bayous or extensions 
are formed by this river and its tributaries, in some instances ex- 
tending miles into the country. Long years ago these extensions 
were bordered with a plentiful supply of wild rice, and formed a 
camp ground for wild fowl. To this time the rich and fertile valley 
of the Saginaw is indebted for its wealth, its wonderful growth and 
prosperity. 

THE CASS RIVER 

has it> source in Sanilac county, whence it hoavs southwest, and 
forms a confluence with the Saginaw, three miles south of the city. 
Like the main stream, its banks are steep in some places and low 
in otlur>. Along its entire length of 125 miles, so much driftwood 
accumulated that up to the clearance of a drive-way in 1837 by E. 
W. Perry, even travel by canoe upon its waters was impracticable. 

THE TITTABAWASSKK 

takes its rise in Roscommon county, and flowing southeasterly, 
forms a confluence with the Saginaw near the city. The average 
depth of the river is about 10 feet, and its average width about 
L40 feet, throughout its entire length of 105 miles. The oldest 
farms of the historic period w r ere established on the banks of this 
river by the American pioneers, and there are sufficient evidences 
that in the distant past the mysterious people who dwelt in the 
land formed their garden beds there. The Tittabawassee Boom 
Co., organized in 1864, commenced operations immediately, and 
within a few years placed several miles of boom upon its waters. 

THE FLINT RIVER 

has it< source in Lapeer county, whence it flows in its Seine-like 
course, and joins its waters with the Saginaw a few miles south of 



290 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Saginaw City. In 1831. this river was so completely rilled with 
flood-wood that it was impossible to bring a boat down stream. 
About that year Eleazer Jewett loaded a flat-boat with lumber for 
building his house opposite Green Point, but owing to such ob- 
structions he was compelled to haul the boat ashore, attach his oxen 
to it, and have it thus portaged past each mass of drift-wood. Like 
the other streams, it has been cleared of obstructions, and now 
forms a link in that chain of waters on which wealth is floated to 
the Saginaws. 

SHIAWASSEE RIVER. 

This river is 95 miles in length from its head waters in Living- 
ston county to its confluence with the Flint or Saginaw, a few 
miles south of Saginaw City. The river is all that its name implies; 
along its banks are numerous happy homes, highly cultivated 
farms and valuable forests. 

The Missabos, or Hare rive r, with its tributary, the Bad river, 
flows northerly and forms a confluence with the Shiawassee 12 
miles south of Saginaw City, after a course of 54 miles. 

CREEKS. 

Cheboy creek rises in Tuscola county, and flowing in a north- 
westerly direction, through the townships of Blumfield, Buena 
Vista and Zilwaukee, enters the Saginaw above Bay City. 

Squahauning creek (south branch) rises in the township of Koch- 
ville, and flowing northeasterly enters the Saginaw river about six 
miles from the mouth. In addition to these streams are Beaver 
creek, Swan creek and numerous streamlets. 

THE SAGINAW VALLEY. 

W. L. Webber, in an address delivered before the Farmer's In- 
stitute of Saginaw in 1877, quotes Prof. Winchell as follows: 
" A r iewing the peninsula as a whole, we discover, first of all, a re- 
markable depression stretching obliquely across from the head of 
Saginaw Bay, up the valley of the Saginaw and Bad rivers, and 
down the Maple and Grand rivers, to Lake Michigan. This de- 
pression attains nowhere an elevation greater than 72 feet above 
Lake Michigan. This elevation is in the interval of three miles 
separated, the waters flowing in the opposite directions. * * * 
It is obvious that when the lakes stood at their ancient elevations, 
their waters communicated freely across this depression, and 
divided the peninsula into two portions, of which the northern was 
an island. This depression, for convenience of reference, may be 
designated the "Grand Saginaw Valley. " 

Mr. Webber proceeds: "Assuming this as a correct definition 
of the Valley, so far as this depression has eastern slope, in other 
words, that portion the waters of which flow into the Saginaw river 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 291 

and Bay to constitute the Saginaw Valleys we have a territory 
well entitled to the term of ' Grand Saginaw Valley.' Its extreme 
Length north and south is something over 125 miles; its extreme 
breadth about 12<» miles. That portion of it, the waters of which 
drain through the Saginaw river proper, comprises about 170 town- 
ships, as per Government survey, over 6,000 square miles, and 
over 4,000,000 of acres. If we add that portion which is drained 
into the Saginaw Bay through streams which do not empty into 
the Saginaw river, like the Kawkawlin, the Rifle, Au Gres, etc., 
it will increase the size of the valley by about 50 townships, mak- 
ing a total of about 220 townships, — about 7,800 square miles. 

" The Saginaw Valley is the largest in Michigan. Grand river 
valley is next in size, and that contains about 150 townships. It 
was in 1831 that the French philosopher, DeTocqueville, visited 
the Saginaw Valley. Pie came to see nature untouched by civil- 
ization. He wanted to see the forests in their primitive condition. 
Inquiring at Detroit of Maj. Biddle, the register of the land office, 
as though he desired to purchase land, he inquired indifferently 
toward which side of the district the current of emigration had up 
to that time least tended, and received for answer, ' Toward the 
northwest. About Pontiac and its neighborhood some pretty 
fair establishments have lately been commenced, but you must not 
think of fixing yourselves further off; the country is covered by an 
almost impenetrable forest, which extends uninterruptedly toward 
the northwest, full of nothing but wild beasts and Indians. The 
United States proposes to open a way through it immediately, but 
the road is only just begun and stops at Pontiac. I repeat that 
there is nothing to be thought of in that quarter.' 

•• DeTocqueville came; for it was this quarter that he desired to 
visit. He came, crossed the Saginaw river, and landed at the 
point now known as 'Saginaw City,' which then contained 30 
persons, including men, women, old people, and children. While 
at Saginaw, concerning his views of the present and future, he 
wrote as follows: fc In a few years these impenetrable forests will 
have fallen; the sons of civilization and industry will break the 
silence of the Saginaw; its echoes will cease; the banks will be 
im prisoned by quays; its current, which now flows on unnoticed 
and tranquil through a nameless waste, will be stemmed by the 
prows of vessels. More than a hundred miles sever the solitude 
from the great European settlements, and we are, perhaps, the 
last travelers allowed to see its primitive grandeur.' 

"Think of it! Only 40 years ago, no highway from Detroit 
into the Saginaw Valley! A road had been but just begun, but it 
stopped at Pontiac. The advice which Maj. Biddle gave to De- 
Tocqueville seems to have been the advice which was given to all 
who desired to settle in the then Territory of Michigan. Northwest 
from Detroit was not to be thought of. The heavy forests shut 
out the sun, the face of the country generally level, the water- 
courses choked with logs and brush. The effect was that the waters 
were not carried away by evaporation, and only slowly found 



292 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

their way into the principal streams, leaving the surtace of the 
ground to a considerable extent wet. It was reputed as an un- 
healthy country to settle in, fevers and agues were supposed to 
lurk in its forests, and nothing but the wealth of its timber tempted 
men to wish themselves inside its boundaries. A few years have 
changed not only the face of the country, but its reputation. The 
population of all the territory embraced within the valley (over 200 
townships) at the different periods, is substantially as follows: In 
1840, 12,290; in 1850, 28,621; in 1860, 72,597; in 1864, 85,258; in 
1870, 152,141; in 1874, 184,346. 

" Concerning the health of the valley, lean speak, after 25 
years' residence, and I have no hesitation in saying that its aver- 
age healthfulness will equal that of any other portion of the State. 
There are many, even among the people who reside in the south- 
ern portion of our own State, who suppose Saginaw to be very far 
to the northward. In some way — I do not know how — they have 
associated Saginaw and Mackinaw together, and imagine that they 
are near each other, when in fact they are 150 miles apart. They 
do not understand the geography of their own State, and this being 
so, we cannot wonder that those who do not reside in Michigan 
should labor under a like erroneous idea. As a matter of fact, the 
geographical center of the lower peninsula of Michigan is, on the 
authority of Prof. Winchell, to be found on section 24, in township 
13 north, of range 3 west, being in the township of Code, which is 
the southeast corner town of Isabella county. If a line be drawn 
from the straits of Mackinaw to the south boundary line of the 
State, its center will be on the same parallel with the central por- 
tion of the Saginaw Valley. Mackinaw is about 46^ ° north lati- 
tude, the southern boundary of the State being about 41-| ° . The 
Saginaw Valley is about the same latitude and has fully as favored 
a climate as the formerly famed wheat region of Western New York 
and the now famed dairy region of the Mohawk Valley. 

"'It has also been rumored that the Saginaw Valley was not fit- 
ted for agricultural purposes. Saginaw had obtained its reputation 
for pine lumber, and as people generally had found regions covered 
with pine to be comparatively worthless for agricultural purposes, 
it was assumed that the whole of Saginaw was filled with pine, and 
therefore the soil was unfitted for the farmer's use. The experi- 
ence of the last 25 years has also exploded this erroneous notion. 
I doubt if there can be found in the State of Michigan six thousand 
square miles of territory in one body with a greater agricultural 
capacity than the six thousand miles drained by the Saginaw and 
its tributaries. -More than one-half of this territory for agricultural 
purposes is the very cream of the State of Michigan, and there is 
but little comparatively but what will make good farming land. 
Look at the reports of the cereal products of Michigan, and you 
will find that the average production per acre of this valley is fully 
equal to the average in any portion of the State. "Wheat, corn, 
barley and rye are grown here in perfection. 




JUuy/jT^tl^^ 



I t 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. Ll .") 

"For fruits, the climate is well adapted to apples, pears, plums 
and small fruits, while for vegetables, the success of the Saginaw 
exhibitors at the State fair for a scries of years has demonstrated 
that no other portion of the State can compete with it. Our mar- 
ket facilities are unrivaled. The Saginaw river and Bay give us 
water communication with all portions of the world for the largest 
vessels. The Valley is crossed by railroads, so that there is no 
considerable portion of it but has a market near by. Agriculture, 
manufactures and commerce arc said to constitute the true wealth 
of a people. We have them all here <• >mbined in immediate proxim- 
ity to each other. Our manufacturing facilities are unequal ed. It 
has heretofore been a drawback that agriculture being neglected, 
the cost of living was greater than in older portions of the 
country, and consequently manufacturers did not iind it to their 
interest to locate here, except where this drawback was overcome 
by the cheapness of raw material. But 'our development has now 
become such that the cost of living is not greater than in other 
portions of the State; and our superior facilities for transportation 
and other advantages must, with the earliest return of business 
prosperity to the country, give a new impetus to manufacturing 
establishments in this locality. 

••It is but a short period since salt was first discovered in Michi- 
gan. The first barrel of salt ever made in the Valley was manu- 
factured in 1860. Since that time over 11,500,000 barrels have 
been made. And here let me say that the State of Michigan, I 
apprehend, hardly appreciates the obligations it owes to the Sagi- 
naw Valley for cheapening salt for the use of the people through- 
out the State. It is well known that the Onondaga Salt Company 
controlled the entire market prior to this discovery, and when the 
manufacture of salt was commenced at Saginaw the Onondaga 
company, in its efforts to break clown the manufacture here in its 
infancy, put so Low a price upon their own salt as to make the Sagi- 
naw manufacture comparatively without profit. The Onondaga 
company did this without reference to the cost of the product to 
them. They would sell salt at a dollar a barrel within the terri- 
tory reached by the Saginaw salt, while they were asking at the 
same time S2.25 a barrel at Syracuse, their place of manufacture. 
They made a profit in the territory which they controlled which en- 
abled them to sell at a loss here with a view to crushing out this 
dangerous competition. The result has been that the people of 
Michigan have had cheap salt, and saved probably over $10,000,- 
000 in that one article in the last 17 years. 

"If this were a proper occasion I would be glad to allude to the 
action of the State in withdrawing the bounty which it offered 
for the discovery of salt without providing for the remuneration 
to those who risked their money in its discovery, and who at great 
expense and heavy loss to themselves made the experiments as to 
the best mode of manufacturing. It would seem as though it would 
have been just had the State made provision to save those parties 
from loss. But I pass that. The salt product is continually in- 

18 



296 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

creasing, and has already reached over a million and a half of 
barrels per year, and Onondaga no longer attempts to crush out 
this manufacture. 

"Lumber has been the chief manufacture heretofore, and will be 
for many years to come. In 1854, at the request of a gentleman 
in Chicago, I made an enumeration of the mills then in operation 
upon the Saginaw river and its tributaries, including Kawkawlin, 
and of their product, showing that there were then 61 mills in 
operation, a large number of them being water-mills, and only 23 
on the Saginaw river, having a total cut for the 61 mills, of i.08,- 
000,000 feet per year. From that time until 1863 no authentic 
figures were kept. Since that date accurate reports have been 
made yearly. From these data at hand, estimating for the years 
for which we have no accurate figures, the lumber manufacture of 
the Saginaw Valley from 1850 to the close of 1877 aggregates about 
8,500,000,000 feet. 

"It would be for the interest of our Valley, as well as for the in- 
terest of our lumbermen, if they would subject the lumber to finer 
manipulations before shipment, so that it may be ready for the 
consumer's use. Until recently but little attention has been paid 
to this, but the practice is now growing in favor; and as the timber 
becomes more valuable and more difficult to obtain, the manufact- 
urers will endeavor, by handling a smaller quantity, so to handle 
it as to make the same profit on the less as they have heretofore 
on the greater quantity. This gives employment to a greater num- 
ber of men and of course tends to the general profit of the Val- 
ley. How long lumber will remain as the leading product of the 
valley it is impossible to say. It will probably continue at least 
during the present generation. I remember over 20 years ago 
that people would then assume to demonstrate that in 10, 15 
or 20 years the pine would be entirely gone at the then rate of 
consumption. Its annual production has increased more then 
iive-fold, and yet it is nearly as difficult now to say when the end 
will come as it was then. When Lewis and Headley published 
their annual statement of the salt and lumber statistics of the Val- 
ley in the year 1868, they assumed to give a careful estimate of 
the timber then standing within and tributary to the district em- 
braced in the statement, and they gave for 'Saginaw and "the 
shore" to and including Sable river and tributaries, 5,211,600,000 
feet," and estimated that the timber would be entirely exhausted 
in less than 17 years, manufacturing at the rate of 500,000,- 
000 feet annually. As a matter of fact, as their subsequent esti- 
mates show, there has been actually manufactured at the Saginaw 
river mills alone, from 1869 to 1877 inclusive, 5,211,987,099 feet 
of lumber. If their estimate then had been correct, we should 
have been out of pine timber before this time, yet last fall our lum- 
bermen were making arrangements to stock their mills heavier 
than ever, and the cut for the Saginaw river and Kawkawlin in 
1877 was over 640,000,000 feet. I will not assume to state how 
long this manufacture will continue, nor assume to estimate the 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY 297 

quantity of pine yet standing within the Valley. But it is safe to 
venture this prediction, — that the manufacture of lumber will be a 
Leading industry in the Saginaw Valley during the lives of the pres- 
ent generation. 

'•The agricultural development of the Valley has been very 
rapid the last few years. When salt was discovered at first, those 
who had timber lands near the salt-producing districts assumed that 
their timber would be of great value for wood to be used in the 
manufacture of salt, and consequently neglected to cut it, holding 
for higher prices. It has been found, however, that the waste 
from the lumber mills produces sufficient fuel for this purpose, and 
those who made their calculations for profit from their fuel proved 
mistaken. 

" When the tires of 1871 swept over this part of the State, 
thousands of acres of timber were destroyed. People up to that 
time had been giving their attention to manufacturing. The 

farmer could work in the w Is winters with his teams, and thus 

secure for himself and family what it was necessary to purchase, 
devoting himself to farming only for the purpose, apparently, of 
furnishing his own fajnily and his own teams with their supplies. 
After the panic of L873, by which manufacturing industries were 
so seriously checked, more attention was given to farming, and 
these lands where the timber had been burned were cleared to 
Mich an extent that the agricultural development of the last five 
years in the central and northern parts of the Valley is more than 
equal to all that preceded that period. The farmers of Michigan 
have a great advantage over those of the States west of the Mis- 
sissippi in the better price they obtain for their products. The 
report of the department of agriculture for 1876 shows that the 
cash value of the product of one acre devoted to agricultural pur- 
3 in Michigan, was sll.do as against an average of $9.61 in 
•_'l' other State- west and south, including among them Ohio, Indi- 
ana. Illinois. Wisconsin, etc. 

••I have -aid that the latitude of this Valley was about the same 
as that of the Mohawk valley. 1 may add that it possesses supe- 
rior advantage- over the Mohawk valley for dairy purposes We 
have less waste land: we can raise as good hay and have as good 
pasture. Our transportation facilities are such that the difference 
in the price that can be obtained for the products of the dairy here 
ami those they obtain would be hardly noticed. Cheese' is an 
article of large export. At a recent meeting of the American 
Dairymen"- Association at Cleveland, it was stated that the exports 
of cheese to Great Britian alone during the past year had been 
about 1 L0,000,000 lbs., valued at over $13,000,000; and the export 
of butter for the same period had been over 14,000,000 fibs. There 
i- no danger of overstocking the market with these products so 
long as this export demand continues, and it is constantly grow- 
ing. The land- oi the Saginaw Valley are natural grass lands. A 
piece of land cleared will seed itself, at least it will be found cov- 
ered with a turf of good pasturage grasses, and you cannot tell 



298 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

how the seed comes there. We need plenty of good cheese fac- 
tories. Our farmers may with profit to themseles give more atten- 
tion to dairying in the future than in the past. There is profit in 
it as well as in the raising of grain, and in our climate a mixed 
husbandry is better for the land, and by this combination of 
industries farms originally rich may be made richer, while should 
the farmer devote himself exclusively to grain he would soon im- 
poverish his soil, no matter how fertile in its original condition. 
The farmer located in the Saginaw Valley has no reason to 
bemoan his location. Although the surface of the country 
appears level, yet there is sufficient fall for good drainage. Hard- 
ly a farm can be found but what will permit the water to flow off 
if water-ways are opened. In time under-draining will become 
the rule on our clay subsoils, but at present most of our farmers 
must content themselves with surface draining. 

"The streams which flow into the Saginaw in their united length 
will exceed 1,500 miles, of size sufficient to give a valuable navi- 
gation for logs and timber, and in addition are thousands of miles 
of smaller streams and rivulets, through which the drainage of 
the surface is accomplished. The basin of tlv£ Valley of the Sagi- 
naw is about 450 feet lower than its southern border just south of 
Holly, and from 500 to 600 feet lower than its northern and north- 
western border found on the dividing line between the Muskegon 
and Saginaw rivers, while on its southwestern side between the 
waters of Bad and Maple rivers it is some 72 feet, that being the 
lowest point in the whole boundary of the Valley, except the outlet 
by the Bay. With proper attention to drainage, with proper care 
to preserve the fertility of the soil, and with proper industry and 
attention to business, it will be but few years before the farmers 
of the Saginaw Valley, with their fertile and well stocked farms, 
will rank in the extent of their productions, as they do now in 
quality, with the best on the continent." 

It is said with truth that as late as 1860 the general impression 
in regard to the Saginaw Valley shared in by many prominent 
residents as well as by a large majority of those outsiders who hap- 
pened to know from observation or experience any thing concern- 
ing this new region of country, was that while its timber was 
unquestionably valuable — at that date this resource was not esti- 
mated at one tenth of its actual value, by reason of its intermin- 
able swamps and marshes, the sterility that ordinarily attaches to 
land in pine districts, known at that time to the casual observer as 
"pine barrens" — the liability to frosts, the lack of drainage and 
the unusual obstacles to be met with in clearing the forests and 
making the soil available for cultivation, it could by no possibility 
ever become even a moderately productive farming district. There 
were grave doubts at that time in the minds of many fair-minded, 
excellent citizens, gentlemen thoroughly identified with the inter- 
ests of the Valley, whether the county, many portions of which 
are to-day as rich and productive as the best agricultural districts 
in the West, was not too frosty and unreliable as to climate to war- 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 299 

rant the broad extent of farming improvements that had already 
been vigorously inaugurated. This doubt, and the persistent mis- 
representation in regard to Saginaw Valley as a land of swamps, 
frosts and sterility, made previous to 1860, has seemed to keep the 
farming interest, never too prone to prosper in a lumber country, 
far behind what it should be at this time, and the loss in accumu- 
lations by reason of this delay may be counted by millions of dol- 
lars; but with all this slow progress these facts have been fairly and 
firmly fixed. 

In 1860 the number of acres of improved land in the county was 
estimated at L8,048 acres, 10 years later at 33,383 acres, and in the 
fifth decade after settlement at double the area reported as improved 
in L870. 

A.8 lands are cleared and opened to the light and heat of the sun, 
they improve every year, and in the broader clearings untimely 
frosts are 80 marked an exception to the general rule that there is 
no further fear of that dread "bug-bear." The soil throughout all 
that range of counties drained by Saginaw river and its tributaries 
is as a rule excellent for farming purposes, and among some of the 
pine tracts, as is the case on the Cass, the flint, the Tittabawassee, 
Chippewa and other streams, are found some of the most productive 
lands in the district. 

The timber will not last for ever. Within a half century the 
owners of these fertile lands will wish for a pine grove and find 
none; in their rush after gain the forest will be leveled, and then, 
in possession of rich and productive farms, the husbandman will 
look back to the time when each quarter section held a mine of 
fuel, and curse the want of foresight which led to its destruction. 




CHAPTER VIII. 

ORGANIC. 

The third decade of the 19th century will ever be remembered 
as the beginning of a movement of the people toward Western 
homes. During those years the Eastern people rose to a full con- 
ception of the worth of the land and' the liberties which the toilers 
of the Revolution won for them, and resolved to direct their steps 
thither. Michigan was not forgotten. The country from the St. 
Joseph to the Grand river, and still northward to the villages of 
the Chippewas, was explored, and in some cases settled. For some 
years succeeding this decade the forests of Saginaw boasted of all 
their primitive grandeur. In 1835 the scene was changed. At 
intervals the American pioneer built his log house, made a small 
clearing, and transformed portions of the mighty forests into spots 
of pastoral beauty. Many acres were already fenced, and the 
stacked harvest of the preceding year was seen near at hand. The 
country was then replete with beaut} r ; the singularly attractive 
monotony of the wildwoods was varied by tracts of cultivated lands; 
and the aborigines lived in proximity to civilized man. 

Solidarity of interests joined the pioneers in a bond of fraternity, 
the strength of which tended to render their loves and friendships 
lasting. 

On the completion of their spring farm labors those settlers of 
the land— those true foresters — did not seek a rest, but turning 
their attention away from manual, embraced mental labors, to the 
end that their political condition might advance hand in hand with 
the social status already attained, or at least within their grasp. 
Before the springtime of 1836 had called them to their fields they 
established for themselves a county and a county government. 

In reviewing the history of those days, it is proper that the do- 
ings of the local government should find a place among the rem- 
iniscences of the times. That the first statesmen of the country 
labored faithfully in the interest of their neighbors, will appear 
from this record; and as their labors are briefly described in the 
following pages, it is hoped that this section of the history may re- 
ceive from the reader such attention as the labors of older legislators 
deserve. 

SAGINAW COUNTY BOUNDARIES IN 1822. 

The following description of the boundaries of Saginaw county 
was contained in a proclamation of the Governor, issued in 1822. 
Nine years later this portion of the proclamation was abrogated, 

(300) 



BISTORT OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 30l 

and the boundaries revised. As laid off in 1822, the county com- 
prised all the country included within the following boundaries: 
"Beginning on the principal meridian, where the line between 
the 14th and 15th townships north of the base line intersects the 
same, ami running thence south, to the line between the eighth 
and ninth townships north of the base line; thence east to the 
line between the sixth and seventh ranges east of the principal 
meridian; thence north to the continuation of the line between the 
14th and 15th townships north of the base line; thence west to the 
place of beginning, — shall form a county to be called the county of 
Saginaw." This proclamation of Gov. Cass, defining the boun- 
daries of the county of Saginaw was issued Sept. 10, 1822, While 
laying off this division of the State, it defined the boundaries of 
Lapeer. Sanilac, Shiawassee, Washtenaw and Lenawee, providing 
that their organization should take place whenever competent 
authority for the time being should deem such a course advisable. 

Of the six counties, the boundaries of which were defined in this 
proclamation, Sagii aw, Lapeer, Sanilac ami Shiawassee were at- 
tached to Oakland county, until the period of their organization; 
Washtenaw was attached to Wayne county under the same con- 
dition, and Lenawee to Monroe county. 

Wayne county was laid off Nov. 1, 1815, Monroe July 14, 1817, 
and Oakland Jan. 12, 1810. To the latter county. Saginaw, and 
all the country m>t included within the boundaries of the counties 
described in the proclamation (to which the Indian title was ex- 
tinguished by the Saginaw treaty, signed and sealed Sept. 24, 1819) 
were attached; while all the country to which the Indians relin- 
quished their claims by the treaty of Chicago, was attached to 
Monroe. 

LOCATING THE COl NTY SEAT. 

In the earlier years it was the custom of the Territorial officers to 
foresee, if possible, the action of the people, and concede that which 
appeared would prove beneficial prior to the otter of a petition. 
This was the case with Saginaw. Even before its organization 
as a township, the Legislative Council directed the establish- 
ment of it- judicial center, and the proclamation of Gov. Lewis 
Cass, under date .Ian. 11. 1831, resulted. This document states: 
'• Whereas. Solomon Fr08t, Origen I >. Richardson, ami Thomas J. 
Drake were appointed commissioners to locate the seat of justice 
in the county of Saginaw, and have proceeded to execute the said 
duty, and have by a report Bigned by a majority of them located 
the seat of justice of the said county of Saginaw upon the north- 
east fractional quarter of section 26, in township L2 north, and 
range 4 east, and designated upon the plat of the ' City of Sag- 
inaw.' so called, as the two squares marked on said plat 'Public 
Buildings,' which plat isrecorded in the register's office of Oakland 
county: now. therefore, by virtue of authority, given in the act 
of duly. ls:;o. the seat of justice of Saginaw county is established 



302 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

on the said two squares of land described, and lying in the said city 
of Saginaw." 

SAGINAW TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED. 

For a period extending over four years between 1831 and 1835, 
the district known as the county of Saginaw formed a township 
attached to Oakland for judicial purposes. 

The Legislative Council of the Territory ordained that "all that 
part of the country lying within the limits of the county of Sagana 
heretofore set off and established as the county of Sagana, be and 
the same Is hereby set off into a separate township, and the name 
thereof shall be Sagana. That the first township meeting to be 
held in such township shall be held at the fort of Sagana, on the 
first Monday in April, which will be in the year 1831. That noth- 
ing in this act shall in any manner affect the assessment and col- 
lection of taxes made or to be made within the said district of 
country, as a part of the township of Pontiac, for the year 1830." 

This act was approved July 12, 1830, and came into force 1831, 
when Gardner D. Williams was elected supervisor, David Stanard 
overseer of No. 1 district, or Saginaw; Eleazer Jewett, overseer of 
No. 2 district, or Greenpoint; Charles McLean overseer of the 3d dis- 
trict, or Tittabawassee. This first meeting was held April 4, 1831, at 
the Saginaw fort. After the election the board organized, and 
proceeding at once to business appropriated $25 for the poor fund, 
and $50 for building roads and bridges. 

CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES. 

The act of the Legislative Council approved March 2, 1831, ab- 
rogated that portion of Gen. Cass' proclamation dealing with the 
county, and ordained that its boundaries shall begin at a point 
where the line between ranges 6 and 7 east intersects the line 
oetween townships 8 and 9 north; thence west to the meridian, thence 
north on the meridian line to the line between townships 12 and 
13; thence east to the line between ranges 2 and 3 east; thence 
north to the line between townships 14 and 15; thence east 
to the line between ranges 6 and 7 east; thence south to the 
place of beginning, containing 32 townships. Within this district 
Eleazer Jewett surveyed the first county roads in 1832, as elsewhere 
noticed. Gardner D. Williams served as supervisor from April, 
1831, to April, 1834, when William F. Mosley was elected to serve 
until the election of 1835. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 

During 1834, the question of conferring on the township of Sagi- 
naw the status of a county was discussed, and a resolution of the 
Council passed to the effect: — "That the county of Saginaw shall 
be organized when this act takes effect, and the inhabitants entitled 
to all the rights and privileges to which, by law, the inhabitants of 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 303 

the other counties of this Territory are entitled; that all suits, prose- 
cution- and other matters now pending before the courts of record 
of < Oakland county, or before any justice of the peace of said county, 
shall be prosecuted to final judgment and execution; and all taxes, 
heretofore levied and now due shall be collected in the same man- 
ner as though the said county of Saginaw had not been organized; 
thatthe circuit court for the county of Saginaw shall be holden on 
such days as the law will provide, and that it shall be the duty of 
sheriff to provide a suitable place near the county site, for the 
holding of court, until public buildings are erected in said county; 
that the township board for the township of Saginaw shall, until 
there be three townships organized in the county, sit as a county 
board for said county, and are authorized to transact all business 
now incumbent on the board of supervisors in the respective 
counties of the territory." 

This act of organization was approved Jan. 28, 1835, and put in 
force the second Monday of February, 1835. 

EARLY RECORD OF SUPERVISORS' COURT. 

The first record in possession of the county clerk of Saginaw is 
dated the second Tuesday in October, 1835. It recounts the formal 
meeting of the county board, which adjourned to Friday, Oct. 23, 
to meet at the house of E. N. Davenport, in the village of Saginaw. 
There were present at this adjourned meeting, G. D. Williams, 
Supervisor: Wm. 1 ; . Mosley, J. P.; Albert Miller, J. P., and E. 
S. Williams, Township ('lerk. Albert Miller was chosen president 
of the township board, and E. S. Williams, clerk. At this meeting 
a number of accounts, aggregating $98. 63, were ordered to be paid. 
Among such accounts was an item of $5, allowed Albert Miller for 
copying a<>essment roll and proportioning tax for the collector. A 
sum of $15 was voted Wm. F. Mosley in payment for his services 
as district attorney during the year 1835. To E. S. Williams a 
sum of $2 was voted for services rendered as clerk of the board. 

The record further shows that the amount allowed for expenses 
in the township of Saginaw was $93.94, to which the sum of $4.69 
was added, being the collector's fees at five per cent. One hundred 
dollars was voted for the purpose of building a bridge in district 
No. 1. 

The next meeting was held March 21, 1836, in the county clerk's 
office, Saginaw village. Albert Miller, Andrew Ure, and E. S. 
Williams were present. The annual meeting was held Oct. 13, 1836 

E. N. Davenport, Wm. F. Mosley, Albert Miller, Gr. D. Williams, 
and Wm. McDonald were present. Supervisor Davenport was 
chosen chairman, and Wm. McDonald, clerk. In passing the ac- 
counts, E. Jewett was allowed $15.50 for services as coroner; Wm. 

F. Mosley, $."><> for services as district attorney; x\.bram Butts, $37 
for services as constable. The board directed that $250 be raised 
for building a bridge across the bayou near the steam mill in dis- 
trict No. 1. At a meeting of the board, held two days later, it was 



304 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

resolved to raise $1,570.59 to be applied on building a county jail in 
the "city" of Saginaw. 

The board of supervisors met at the clerk's office, Oct. 3, 1837. 
Jeremiah Riggs, Supervisor , Albert Miller, J. P., E. S. Williams, 
and Samuel G. Watson were present. J. Riggs was chosen 
chairman, and Samuel G. Watson, clerk. The first transaction of 
the new board was a direction to the clerk to notify the inhabi- 
tants of the township and county of Saginaw that they would be 
required to vote, on the 6th and 7th of November, 1837, for or 
against a loan of $10,000, for the erection of a court-house and 
jail, and also to have such^ notice published in the new paper 
called the Saginaw Journal . The vote on the question of the day 
was duly taken, a loan of $10,000 made, bearing 7 per cent, per 
annum interest, negotiated with the directors and company of the 
Saginaw City Bank, and the bond signed by Andrew Ure, Jere- 
miah Riggs, E. S. Williams, and Albert Miller, binding them- 
selves, and their successors in office to pay the banking company 
the amount of loan, with interest, within 10 years from Jan. 1, 
1838. The members of the board assembled March 8, 1838, at 
the house of Joseph J. Maiden, when the following proposals 
for building a court-house were handed in: Asa Hill and Benj. 
Severson, $11,500; Wm. L. P. Little, $12,000; P. H. Pen wick, 
SI 1, 000; Bunker A. Tuthill, $11,950. This action was followed 
by a most singular result. On motion of Albert Miller, it was 
resolved to sell the contract for building, at auction, reserving 
the right of sale. This procedure resulted in reducing the pro- 
posals to $9,510, Hill reducing his price $1,990. At a meeting, 
held within hve days, a contract was awai'ded to Asa Hill, on 
condition that the court-house be completed June 1. 1839, and that 10 
per cent, on the amount of contract be retained until the work was 
■finished, and accepted by the county board. The expenses, attend- 
ant on making loan, drafts, contracts, etc., aggregated $157.75, 
paid out as follows: Benj. Severson's account for drafting, $50; 
Asa HilTs, for ground plan, $18; Jeremiah Riggs, for services, 
$11; E. J. Williams, for services, $14; A. Miller, $14; A. Ure, $8; 
W. E. Mosley, $6; S. G. Watson, $32 75; Saginaw Journal, for 
advertising, $12. Ephraim S. Williams was appointed building 
superintendent, and Samuel G. Watson additional superintendent 
of the work. 

During the year 1837, the census of the county was taken by A. 
Butts, Collector. His pay was $1 for every 100 persons, or $9.20, 
which shows that in that year, there were only 920 people in the 
county. The board, however, in consideration of the great num- 
ber of miles traveled and money expended by him, granted him 
an additional sum of $50. Asa Hill died in 1838, and his secur- 
ities were empowered by the county board to take possession of 
all building material and proceed with the work. 

In November, 1838, Sheriff Elijah N. Davenport was directed to 
lease from Abraham Butts a block-house standing in rear of his 
dwelling, to tit it up as a jail, and use it for a house of detention. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 305 

The county commissioners of Saginaw met at the clerk's office 
Nov. I!». l^N. when lots were drawn for terms of office. Duncan 
fcfcLellan drew for a three years' term, Cromwell Barney for two 
wars, and -lames Fraser for one year. The board organized by 
electing James Fraser, chairman and C. S. Palmer clerk. During 
the years 1839-40 nothing of importance was transacted by the 
board, with the exception of arranging many little disputes arising 
out of the erection of the county buildings by the executors of 
Asa Hill. In January, L841, the Saginaw City Bank building 
was leased to the county at $50 per annum by Wm. L. P. Little. 
The board authorized the clerk to subscribe for the Detroit Daily 
Advertiser^ then edited by Dawson & Bates. James Fraser, Eben- 
ezer Davis and Duncan IVfcLellan formed the board of commis- 
sioners in January, 1841. Any two members of tins board took 
to themselves some extraordinary powers, among which may be 
mentioned that of appointing another member, as a substitute for 
an absent member. In April, 1841, a committee composed of Ira 
T. Farrand, Cromwell Barney, Thomas McCarthy, Fried Barber, 
E. X. Davenport, Gr. 1 >. Williams, and John Farquaharson, was 
appointed to superintend the work of Norman Little on the court- 
In nisi- and jail; while Farrand, Barber and Samuel Shattuck were 
appointed appraisers of the material supplied to the original con- 
tractor. A .-a Hill. The expense of one meeting of this com- 
mittee, together with the work of the appraisers, was 
94; nor did this settle the matter; it is evident from 
entries made June 18, 1841, that Little did not agree to the terms 
proposed, for on that date it is recorded that Eriel Barber was ap- 
pointed by the board to superintend the building of the court- 
house in the most economical manner; to procure lime, brick and 
Stone for foundations, and to hire mechanics and laborers. 

In 1S41 the townships of Tuscola and Tittabawassee protested 
against the assessment of real and personal property, stating that 
it was much in excess of the valuation of Saginaw. The board, 
having inquired into the matter, equalized the assessment, but 
decided ultimately that the difference was not so great as to justify 
the expense which would attend the amendment of the assessment 
roll. The commissioners, appointed to inquire into the amount of 
county property which passed into the hands of the administra- 
trix of Asa Hill, reported Nov. 13, 1841, stating that the widow 
Hill knew nothing positive regarding county property. During 
this year, the transfer or copy of deeds and mortgages from the 
records of Oakland county was made, at a cost or $89.19. For 
this sum ci .pics ,,f S4 deeds and mortgages, together with the plats 
ot Saginaw and Fast Saginaw, were made by Joseph D. Sharp, 
Oct. 6, 1841. 

supervisors' court. 

The government of the county changed in 1842. .lames Frazer, 
Andrew Ure, and Ebenezer Davis, the last commissioners, held 
their last meeting March 18, 1842. On July 4 following, Hiram 



306 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

L. Miller, Supervisor of Saginaw township; Thomas McCarthy, 
Supervisor of Tittabawassee; Ebenezer W. Perry, Supervisor of 
Tuscola, and John Farquaharson, Supervisor of Taymouth, met 
and organized, with Hiram L. Miller as chairman, and J. J. Mai- 
den, clerk. 

Among the first acts of the board of supervisors was the grant- 
ing of a license to CI. D. Williams, authorizing him to keep a ferry 
on the Saginaw, one mile up and down the river, from the Macki- 
nac road, for three years, ending July 7, 1845. The following 
rates were recognized : Foot passengers, 12£c each ; man and 
horse, 25c ; man with horse and wagon, 37-i-c ; man with two 
horses and wagon, 50c ; cattle or horses, 10 cents each ; sheep or 
hogs* 6^c each. The price was not to be increased upon the ferri- 
age of horses and wagons, even though more than one person 
accompanied each and all of' them. In ferrying cattle, sheep or 
hogs, the drivers were to cross free of charge. 

THE BAYOU BRIDGE. 

The board contracted with G. D. Williams for the construction 
of a bridge over the bayou on the east side of the Saginaw river, 
on the line of the Saginaw turnpike. 

THE LITTLE PROPOSITION. 

The proposition of W. L. P. Little, presented to the supervi- 
sors July 0, 1842, stated that to the board would be given a choice 
of the lands lying between Cass and Flint rivers, at the rate of $5 
per acre, on condition that the price of such lands should be taken 
in payment of the debt of the Saginaw City Bank on the bond 
given by the county to the bank, and in any and every other way, 
the selection to be made by the board between the two rivers 
mentioned, for which a good title would be given free of incum- 
brances, except the taxes now due, for which other lands would be 
deeded. The board accepted the proposition, on the understanding 
that the property be transferred to the county within a reasonable 
time, and after the parties concerned could agree as to the indebted- 
ness of the bank to the county. A few days subsequently, several 
citizens signed a protest against the acceptance of Little's proposi- 
tion. The board replied laconically, regretting that the remon- 
strance was not made prior to the record of the acceptance of 
Little's proposition. E. W. Perry was appointed to examine the 
lands offered, and to make such selections therefrom as might be 
considered most valuable. 

The troubles arising from the $10,000 bond given to the Saginaw 
City Banking Company by the Board of Supervisors proved long- 
lived, but the matter was ultimately settled March 8, 1844. On that 
day, the committee appointed to settle this business submitted a re- 
port, from which the following extract is made : "The county is to 
give a bond, payable in four annual payments, for $5,257.75, and 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 307 

interest <>n the whole yearly; and the sum of $1,208.25, the interest 
due on the $5,257.75 up to Jan. 1, 1844, to be paid. The bond to be 
given by thecounty to draw interest from Jan. 1, 1*44. Upon the 
payment of the $1,208.25, and the execution of the bond for the 
$5,257.75, the bond now holden by the State to be given uj) and 
cancelled. It is understood that there is to be deducted from the 
$1,208.25, some * s " paid by the county on the interest. In this 
settlement the county has been allowed the $650 appropriated by 
the Auditor General, and $350 of the $700paid into the Saginaw 
City Hank. The $1,208.25 to be paid as follows: — -T1h> county 
treasurer of Saginaw is to give an order on the Auditor General 
authorizing him to apply one-half of the taxes received into his 
office from the non-resident taxes, returned from said county until it 
shall be paid, and the said order is to embrace and ratify the $650 
already paid by said Auditor General to the Land Commissioner 
from the taxes received by him for Saginaw county. 

This report was Bigned by R. P. Eldridge, Chairman Board of 
State Auditors; G. 1 >. Williams, Chairman Board of Supervisors, 

naw county, and H. L. Miller, delegate from the County Board 
of Supervisors. This affair may be said to have been closed 
May 9, l v 44, when the board executed a bond to the State in 

rd with the terms of settlement, signed by G. D. Williams, 
Enoch Olmstead, Murdoch Frazer, Lovira Hart, and John 
Farquaharson. 

MUNICIPAL BRIEFLETS. 

The six streams above ('ass river bridge were bridged in 1 842-' 3. 
At the same time a scow was provided for the use of the public at 
the crossing of the river at the Saginaw and Taymouth road. 
In L843 the hoard resolved to have a copy made of all entries 
of county lands from the Detroit and Flint river records. 
Authority was given to James A. Kent to establish a ferry 
over the Cass river, at the crossing of the Saginaw turnpike. 
The rates were 50 per centum less than those charged by G. 
I). Williams. In May. 1844, EL L. Miller notified the officers of 
Bchool district No. 1 that, owing to the proximity of the school 
building to the new court-house, and the danger in which the latter 
Structure would stand in case of fire, it was deemed proper to 
cause it- removal to a more suitable location. 

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. 

The organization of the townships may be said to begin in 1840 
with Tuscola. Tittabawassee was admitted a township in 1841; 
Taymouth in 1842; Hampton, now forming a portion of Bay 
county, in L843; Northampton, now an integral part of Bay county, 
in 1846; and Bridgeport in L848. Chesaning, or "Big Stone*" 
was set off in ls49. Buena Vista was organized in 1849; Midland 
in 1850. 



308 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The townships of St. Charles, Birch Run and Blumtield were 
organized under authority given by the board of supervisors in 
session Feb. 9, 1853. Frankenmuth, Zilwaukee, Hale and Pine 
River, the two latter of which are now embraced in Bay county, 
were organized in 1854. Emerson, Williams, Thomastown and 
Kochville were set apart in 1855. Brady was organized in 1856; 
Maple Grove, Fremont and Portsmouth in 1857; Brant and 
Spalding in 1858; Swan Creek in 1860; Richland, 1862; Albee, 
1863; Chapin, 1866; Carrollton, 186S; Jonesfield, 1873; James, 
1874; Lakefield, 1875, and Marion, 1880. 

In the organization of these townships the board of supervisors 
were generally in favor of extending the principle of local govern- 
ment whenever the population of any portion of the county pointed 
out that course as judicious. However, in the case of Zilwaukee, 
the board exercised its full powers, and postponed the organ- 
ization of that portion of the county fully two years. The petition 
for the organization of Zilwaukee was laid before the board Jan. 5, 
1852, and also a petition of remonstrances against such petition, 
signed by 34 Germans residing within the limits of the would-be 
organized township. The petitioners for organization withdrew on 
Jan. 7, 1852, and presented again Jan. 8, a petition with amendments. 
The board decided against the organization of said township, even 
with amendments, by a vote of five to three. 

TOWNSHIPS OF THE FAST. 

The townships organized and now separated from Saginaw, in- 
cluding Williams, was set off Oct. 10, 1855, which comprised 
township 14 north, of range 3 east. 

The first annual meeting for the election of township officers 
was held at the house of William A. Spafford, on the first Monday 
in April, 1856, with the following named persons : William A. 
Spafford, Simon Wilbur and Amos Calbner presiding over such 
election. 

An order of the Board of Supervisors, dated Oct. 9, 1855, di- 
rected " that the territory known as township eleven (11) north, of 
range number two (2) west, in Saginaw county, be and the same 
is hereby set off from the township of Tittabawassee, and organ- 
ized into a township to be known as Emerson, and that the first 
township meeting for the election of township officers shall be 
held at the house of Erastus Hunt in said township, on the 24th day 
of October, A. D., 1855, and that Isner Allen, Melancthon Pettit 
and Israel Preston, three qualified electors of said township, be 
and they are hereby designated as inspectors of such election." 

The township of Pine River was organized under authority given 
by the board, Dec. 27, 1854, in the following order: That the terri- 
tory known as township number 12 north, of range number 2 west, 
and township number 12 north, of range 3 west, in Saginaw county, 
be and the same is hereby set off from the township of Tittabawassee, 
and organized into a separate township, by the name of Pine River, 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 309 

and the fiwl township meeting for the election of township officers 
shall hf held at the house now occupied by Joseph Clapp in said 
township <>n the first Monday in April next; and that Sylvanus 
Groom, Alexander 1>. Runyan and George E. Gilford, preside 
*>\ er such election. 

The township of Hale was organized in October, 1854, under 
authority given by the board at its session of Oct. 11, 1854. It 
comprised the territory described as follows: ''Township number 1 1 
north of ranges number one, two and three west, and townships 
number twelve north, of ranges number one, two and three west." 
••The first annual meeting for the election of township officers in 
Baid township to be held at the house of Ralph Ely in said town- 
ship of Hale, on the 31st day of October, A. D., 1854, and 
that the following named persons, Ralph Ely, Harvey Yanvleet, 
and James Kress shall be inspectors of election." 

Portsmouth township was organized under an order of the 
hoard dated Oct. 14, 1857. It comprised "all that portion of 
fractional sections number twenty-eight (28) and twenty -nine (29) 
in townships number fourteen (14) north, of range five (5) east, 
that is covered by a recorded plat of the village of Portsmouth; 
also all that portion of section number thirty-two (32) that lies on 
the east side of Saginaw river; and entire sections thirty-three (33), 
thirty-four i :: 1 1. thirty-five (35) and thirty-six (36), in town num- 
ber fourteen ill) north, of range number five (5) east; and all that 
portion of town number thirteen (13) north, of range number 
five i .">> east, that lies on the east side of Saginaw river, save sec- 
tion- twenty-one (21 |, twenty-two (22), twenty-seven (27), twenty- 
eight i l's K thirty-two (32), thirty-three (33) and thirty-four (34), 
and town number thirteen I L3) north of range number six (6) east." 

The first annual meeting was held at the school-house in the 
village of Portsmouth, on the first Monday of April, 1858, and 
at thai meeting Ephraim Smith, Jesse M. Miller and William 
Daglish, presided as inspectors of the election. 

The organization of all the townships belonging to Saginaw 
county up to April, 1881, is noted in the pages devoted to township 
history. 

The assessment rolls of the county, as submitted by the board 
in October, 1 S H. show the real and personal property of the dis- 
trict to be as follows: Saginaw, $222,066.20; Tittabawassee,$108,- 
:•■:: Taymouth, $56,664.13; Tuscola, $27,282.00; Hampton, 
$32,051.83; aggregating $446,653.89. 

The estimated expenditures of the county for the year, were 
$3,110.86. This sum was provided by a tax of seven mills per 
dollar of the valuation, aggregating $3,126.55. 

This may be considered the first regular estimate for a succeed 
ing fiscal year made by the hoard of supervisors, and the modest 
inaugurated of that system of polity which has been carried out by 
the county governing boards. 

In reviewing the history of the county, many of the acts of the 
supervisors will be noticed, so that here it will be necessary 



310 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



to give only the names of the citizens who shared in the honors 
and labors of the various boards from the organization of the 
county to this time. 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FROM 1835 TO 1642. 



1831, Gardner D. William , Supervisor. 

1834, William F. Mosley, 

1835, G. D. Williams, 

1836, E. N. Davenport, 



1837, Jeremiah Riggs, 

1838, Jeremi h Riggs, 



1839, Jtreiniah Riggs, 

1840, Jeremiah Riggs, 

1841, Jeremiah Riggs, 

SUPERVISORS OF SAGINAW COUNTY, 1842 — 60 



W. F. Mosley, J. P., Albert Miller, J P. 

G. 1). Williams, W. F. Mosley, Albert 
Miller. 

Albert Miller, Andrew Ure, W. F. Mosley. 

James Fraser, Duncan McLr llan, 0. 
Barney. 

James Fraser, Duncan McLellan, C. 
Barney. 

Ebenezer Davis, James Fraser, D. McLel- 
lan. 

Andrew Ure, Albert Miller, Eben. Davis. 



1842, Hiram L. Miller, John Farquaharsou, Eben W. Perry, Thomas McCarthy. 

1843, G. D. Williams. S. S. Campbell, Thomas McCarthy, John Farquaharsou. 

1844, Murdoch Fraser, Lovira Hart, Enoch Ohnstead, John Farquaharson, S. S. 
Campbell, G. D. Williams. 

1845, C. S. Pulmer, 8. S. Campbell, Thnmas McCarthy, W. H. Nelson, A. 
Holmes. 

1846, Albeit Miller, Lovira Hart, Wm. Smith, W. H. Nelson, M Fraser. 

1847, Luke Wellington, W. Smith, A. Holmes, N. Smith, S. S. Campbell, W. 
H. Nelson. 

1848, Geo. Davis, R. P. Mason, Paschal Richardson, James J. McCormick, Oc- 
tavius Thompson, A. D. Gover, Noah Beach. 

1849, J. W.Turner, J. B. Garland, Alanson Calkin, Bernard Hackett, Dion 
Birney, Frederick Derr, L . F. Harris. 

1850, J. W. Turner, J. B. Garland, D. Birney, J. H. Richardson, David D. Ross, 
H. S. Beach, Curtis Emerson, F. Derr, C. C. Fitzhugh. 

1851, J. W. Turner, C. C. Fitzhugh, H. Beach, H. M. Beach, D. D. Ross, F. Derr 
D. W. Norton, Timothy Bettel. 

1852, O. Thompson, Franklin Millard, C. C. Fitzhugh, H. M. Beach, M. B.Hess, 
D. D. Ross, F. Derr, T. Battel, J. W. Turner. 

The board of supervisors met May 7, 1853, when those elected to represent the 
new townships took their seats, W. H. Sweet represented Saginaw; Thomas 
McCarthy, Tittabawassee ; C. C. Fitzhugh, Midland ; H. M. Beach Bridgeport ; 
M. W. Smith, Taymouth; W. D. Fitzhugh, Hampton ; M. L. Gage, Buena Vista, 
Charles Post, Blumfield ; Joseph Matthewson, Birch Run ; D. Gould, St. Charles; 
J, W. Turner, Chesaning. W. H. Sweet was elected chairman of the board. 



1854. 

H. L. Miller, Chairman. 

Jerome B. Garland, 

Joseph Matthewson, 

Albert Miller, 

H. L. Miller, 

Benj. F. Fisher, 

H. S. Beach, 

Isaac Bennett, 

Charles Post, 

Geo. Smith, 

Henry C. Ashman, 

D. D. Ross, 

Geo. Smith, 

M. L. Gage, 



1855. 

Morgan L. Gage, Chairman 

H. y. Penoyer, 

M. L. Gage, 

H . C. Ashman, 

L. W. Vaughn, 

Jefferson Jackuth, 

David Josylin, 

Geo. Smith, 

Hiram Burgess, 

Luke Wellington, 

John G. Schnell, 

Geo. L. Spicer, 

Geo. Lord, 

James Fuller, 



E. B. Bow, 
David Sproal, 
Francis Nelson. 

1856. 

J. W. Turner, Chairman. 

Nathan Beers, 

Charles Bradford, , 

R. F. Fisher, 

Jacob H. Lewis, 

D. D. Ross, 

Get. Thompson,. 

Luke Wellington, 

B. Haack, 

N. B. Bradley. 




•a 



-^^^v-wuj /0(^ 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COl'NTV. 



313 



John W.Card, 
M. B. Heea, 
Geo. Lord, 
Geo. Schmidt, 
John W. Turner, 
J.D. Williams, 

.1 l! Garland. 
L867. 

August S. <;.i\ionl, Chair- 
man. 
Theodore Smith, 
John G. Bchnell, 
John W. Card. 
Lorenzo Hodgman, 
Reuben W. Andrus, 
Lewis Loeffler, 
Brunson Turner, 
Thomas Berry, 
I). 1). Roes, 
Daniel Burns, 
A. R.Swarthout, 
A. B. < Jaylord, 
Jacob II . Lewis, 

< leo. W. Sm< ck, 
M. B. Hess, 
L. W. Baines, 
i •'■•'. Schmidt, 
Benj. P. Fisher. 

1858. 

John W. Turner, Chair- 
man. 
Franklin R Copeland, 

< Hiver II. Baldwin, 
Thomas Berry, 



Theodore Smith, 
Bernard Hock, 
Joseph Babcock, 
Horace S. Beach, 
Levi \V. IlaiDes, 
Geo. F. Ball, to fill va- 
cancy. 
John W. Turner, 

Schmidt, 
Lewis Loeffler, 
John Hunter, 
Robert R. Thompson, 
Peter C. Andre, 
Geo. Armstrong, 
Geo. Lewis, 
W. W. Guilford. 

1859. 

IliramS. Penoyer, Chair- 
man. 
II. 8. Penoyer, / 
U. F.Mitchell, .Saginaw 
L. B. Curtis, ) City. 
R. W. Andrus, 
O. H. Baldwin, 
John Benson, 
Thomas Berry, 
W. G.Elmer, 
Win. L. Colliding, 
Bernard Haack, 
D. D. Ross, 
Geo. M. Schaefler, 
Perry Joslin, ) 
.1. H. Springer, [-EastSag- 
David Lyon, ) inaw. 
Alfred Holmes, 



George Lewis, 
Jacob II . Lewis, 
Lewis Loeffler, 
DA. Pettibone, 
Aetna P. Pettis, 
Jesse H. Quackenbush, 
Wm. Banderson, 
Stephen Bull. 

1860. 

W. H. Sweet, Chairman 
W. H. Sweet, > . , 
L.C. Curtis, LSagin 



aw 



u. \J • villus, - . ,. 

Wm. Binder, p 1 ^" 
Thomas L. Jackson, Sag- 
inaw tp. 
John W. Card, 
P. II. Warren, 
I). A. Pettibone, 
Thomas Berry, 
Reuben W. Andrus, 
A. B. Pettis, 
Jacob H. Lewis, 
Bernard Haack, 
Augustus Lull, 
Perry Joslin, ) East 

Henry Woodruff. [• Sagi- 
C. T. Disbrowe, ) naw. 
Geo. M. Schaefer, 
Lewis Loeffler, 
Stephen Bull, 
Jesse H, Quackenbush, 
I. W. LaMunyon, 
John Benson, 
Alex. Alberti. 
Geo. W. Armstrong. 

The names of the members of the Supervisors' Board from 1861 
to the present time are given in connection with the townships 
which tluv represented. The following is the roll of members of 
t1h> board for 1881-'2: 

PRESENT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ( 1881-'2 ). 



Ali.ee— Thos. S. Craig. 
Birch Run— Enoch Smith. 
Blumfleld— B. Haack. 
Brant— David J. Webb. 
Brady — Geo. W. Backrider. 

■pori — Chauncey W. Wisner. 
Buena Vista — Chas. M. Payment. 
( iarrollton — Martin Stoker. 
( hapin — lohn McQuiston. 
Chesaning — A. Davis Agnew. 
Easl Baginaw — 

First ward— Patrie O'Grady. 

Becond ward — Jeremiah Firtin. 

Third Ward — Fred Louden. 

Fourth ward— Edwin Aiken. 

Fifth ward— Chas. W. Grant. 

Sixth ward — Victor Schlessinger. 

Seventh ward — John Ingledew. 

Eighth ward— Anthony Blankerts. 
19 



Comptroller — H. M. Newton. 

City Assessor — C. H. Shaw. 

City Attorney — O. W. Wisner. 
Frankenmuth — John M. Gugel. 
Fremont— Richard Graham. 
James— Edward II. Fayerweather. 
Jonesfield — Joel S. Nevins. 
Koehville — Mathias Reichhardt. 
Lakefield — Wm. Galloway. 
Marion — Daniel Paul. 
Maple Grove — Harrison Magoffin. 
Richland — Geo. W. Carson. 
Saginaw — Edward O'Donnell. 
Saginaw City — 

First ward— A. T. Bliss. 

Second ward — Chas. Moye. 

Third ward — R.J. Birney. 

Fourth ward— Hugh McPhillips. 

Fifth ward — Emil Scheurmann. 



314 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Sixth ward— Julius Gradt. Taymouth — Arthur Ross. 

Comptroller — DeWiltC. Dixon. Thomastown — Jacob Wiltse. 

Ppaulding— John Baiter. Tittabawassee— John A. McGregor. 

Swan Creek— Chas. B. Tefft. Zilwaukee— John H. Doyle. 
bt. Charles — Edward A. Stinson. 

The Board organized in June, 1881, by electing Hon. John 
Barter chairman, who appointed the following committees: Fi- 
nance — Aiken, Dixson, Carson, Galloway, Webb; county affairs 
— Grant, Bliss, Sackrider, Smith, McGregor; equalization — Dix- 
son, Shaw, C. W. Wisner, Tefft, Doyle, Agnew, Magoffin; claims 
— Haack, Moye, Ross, Blankerts, Brown; taxation — C. W. Wis- 
ner, Newton, O'Donnell, McQuiston, Reichardt; county poor — 
Payment, Stoker, Paul, McPhillips, Craig; jails, prisons and 
asylums — O. Wisner, Birney, Cummings, Graham, Hevins; roads 
and bridges — Wiltse, Fayerweather, Smith, Ross, Gugel; public 
buildings — Scheurmann, Gradt, Fisher, Schlessinger, Ingledew; 
drainage — Doyle, Brown, Magoffin, Smith, Paul; organization of 
towns — Carson, Paul, Louden, Craig, Galloway. 

THE COUNTY BUILDINGS, 

located on the Dexter square of Saginaw City have been referred 
to in former pages. With the exception of the castellated structure, 
through which the county offers hospitality to her dangerous 
classes. 

The court-house is an Ionic structure so far as its east and west 
facades are concerned. Within are two large halls, one on 
the ground floor known as the Supervisors' room, with a suite of 
ante-rooms stretching along its northern side, and one on the second 
floor devoted to the courts. Both are useful, but by no means orna- 
mental. 

The county offices comprise the Clerk's, Treasurer's, Registrar's 
rooms, and that of the Judge of Probate; all located in a low, 
French roofed building. There is nothing architecturally beautiful 
about it, yet the records which it contains are very complete, and 
the county officials genial, affable gentlemen. Such men and 
records lend to the county offices an importance which the building 
under any other circumstances never possesses. 

The county jail has many old memories attached to it. It was 
inaugurated immediately after the organization of the county, and 
has occupied the same position ever since. The stranger arriving 
at Saginaw may see a pretentious building, just southwest of the 
business center of the city. Were it not for the great display of iron 
bars, lie would never dream of its being the county jail; but would 
at once jump to the conclusion that some barbarous European had 
come here tore-establish feudalism and had begun his mediaeval 
work bv erecting a castle fortress. Notwithstanding its antiquated 
style of architecture, it is a fine building, and as such is creditable 
to the Supervisors' Board,' under whose order it was constructed. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



315 



COUNTY OFFICERS. 

The list of county officials from 1S35 to 1881 is as follows: 



CLERKS. 



E. B. Williams 1835 

Win McDonald 1836 

i: S Williams 1P37 

s Q Watson 1837 

Sam. K Baring 1838 

i - Palmer 1839 

Joseph .1. Mai ten 1840-1 

Hiram L. Miller 1842 3 

Win. L. P. Little 1844-5 

Absalom F. Hayden 1840 

Alpheus s. Williams 1843-9 

Augustus Gaylord 1852 

Hiram F. Ferris 1854 

Hiram 8. Penoyer 1858 



Charles D. Little 1858 

H. S. Penoyer 1858 

Wm. Moll. 1858 

Geo. Schmidt 1862 

Heman B. Ferris, deputy 1863 

Edward Bloedon | " 1Q „ r , 

Fred B. Sweet, deputyj imt 

Fred B. Sweet, Geo. W. Savage, ) 1Q71 
D. B. Richardson, L. A. Hurlbun f 18 ' 1 
Byron G. Stark. S. W. Kennedy / 18 ~~ 
ami Geo. H. Paine, deputy jjioit 

Fred. B. Sweet, ) 1QQ1 Q . 

Thos. W. Busby, deputy p--«»i-8* 



TREASURERS. 



Barvey Williams 1888 

Charles S. Palmer 1840-2 

Hiram L. Miller 1843 5 

Samuel Gordon '. ... .1846 54 

.1 Blackmore 1854-2 

W. J. Barton 1863-4 



Thomas L. Jackson 1865-6 

G. A. Lyon 1867 70 

G. F. Vanfliet 1871-6 

J. Schwartz 1877-8 

.1. ('. Valentine 1879-80 

Alexander Ferguson 1880-1 



SURVEYORS. 



J aim- Mr Con n irk, jr 1838 

Fl.a/rr Jewell ' 1839 

Alpheus S. Williams 1840 

Eleazer Jewetl 1841 

Martin L. Miller 1842 

James J. McCormick 1844 8 

Abram Butts 185U 2 

Alexander Albert! 1854 

Abram Butts 1856 

Lewis Loeffler 1858 



Ira AY. La Munyon I860 

Lewis Loeffler." 1862-4 

Darwin A Pettibone 1866 

Isaac H. Leavenworth 1868 

1870 

1872 

1874 

Harrison Carey 1876 

Isaac II. Leaven worth 1878 

Solomon C. Goodale 1880 



sin i; 1 1 ■ i >. 



Elijah N Davenporl 1838 

Henry Pratt 1840 

James Kenney 1841-2 

Samuel Gordon 1844 5 

Jerome 11 Gotee 1846 50 

Elias ookst iver 1850 

Jerome H. Gotee 1852 

1853 

1854 

Charles \v Grant 1855 

1856 

1857 

1858 

John W. Turner 1858 

1860 

Capt. — Woodruff 1861 

1862 

1 Juackenbush 1863 

1864 



Jesse Quackenbush i860 

1866 

Henry Miller 1806 

" 1867 

" 1868 

" 1869 

" 1870 

Austin Hank in 1 s ; 1 1 

1872 

Reuben W. Andrus 1872 

1874 

1875 

J B. White 1876 

John F. Adams 1877 

1878 

1879 

1880 

Henry Miller igsj 

" " '• 1882 



316 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



REGISTRARS. 



E. S. Williams 1835 

Hiram L. Miller 1838 

Joseph S. Sharp 1840-1 

Horace S. Beach 1842-5 

Coe Garratt 1846-50 

Peter C. Andre 1850 

John Parish, jr 1854 

John Parish 1856 

O. P. Burt, deputy 



George Schmidt 1858 

Geo. Schmidt I860 

Geo. F. Veenfliet 1860 

James W. Gotee 1862 

James N. Gotee 1864 

A L. Bingham 1867-69 

J. K. Stephens 1870- 

Frank Lawrence 1877-80 

Plerman B. Zwerk 1881- 



CORONERS FROM 1835 TO 1858. 



E. Jewett 1835 

Phineas Spaulding, ) 1QO q 

George Davis f lbdy 

Abram Butts ) AQAn 

Hugh McCullough [ iy4 ° 

Thomas Smith i 1Q , 

Hugh McCullough f 184 " 

E. N. Davenport ) AQAA 

Eben. Davis f iy44 



Thomas Rogers ) 1Q( 

Joshua Blackmore f lb4b 

Peter Lane ) 

Dennis Harrison \ 

Julius B. Hart ) .,„-. 

Geo. G. Hess \ 1854 

Jerome H. Gotee ) 1Q _„ 

Julius B.Hart ) iyob 

Jerome H. Gotee ) AQ ~ Q 

Reuben Fairchild f 1W)8 




CHAPTER IX. 

THE COURTS AND THE BAR. 

It is an acknowledged fact that wherever the American pioneer 
settled he carried the craving for justice with him, which soon was 
followed by the establishment of courts of justice. It is also true that 
the administration of the laws in the courts of the early settlements 
was not carried out with the same dignity as surrounds it to-day; 
but, thanks to the intelligence which the Revolution engendered, the 
people simply wanted justice, and got it. There were few lar- 
3es bestowed in those olden days; the example of the fathers ot 
the Republic was not forgotten; men looked only to the honest 
path and were determimed to travel whither it led; and thus justice 
was dispensed without fear or favor and in a manner creditable to 
its officers and beneficial to the people. 

THE COURTS. 

The Circuit Court of Saginaw county was established under an 
act of the Territorial Legislative Assembly, approved Feb. 12, 
1835, which provided that a term of court should be held for the 
county of Saginaw on Tuesday next after the fourth Monday in 
June, and on the second Tuesday next after the fourth Monday in 
January in each year. 

Aiming the first acts of the State Legislature was one dealing 
with the Circuit Court. It decreed that "the fourth circuit shall be 
composed of the counties of Oakland, Lapeer, Shiawassee, Gen- 
esee, Saginaw, Ionia ami Kent, and the counties attached thereto, 
f>r judicial purposes." The sessions of the fourth circuit were or- 
dered tube held at Saginaw on the third Tuesdays of February 
and -July in each year. Subsequently the term was changed to 
May. In after years a desire to have the spring term of the 
onirt held in April was expressed. 

Among the bills passed by the Legislature during the winter 

ion of 1858-'9 was one changing the terms of the Supreme 

Court and reorganizing circuit districts. The spring term of the 

Supreme Court was authorized to be held on the first Monday of 

April instead of May. 

Saginaw county was detached from the seventh circuit and 
added to the 10th, which henceforth comprised Saginaw, Gratiot, 
Isabella, Midland, Iosco, Bay and Alpena. 

From 1831 to 1*35 justice was meted out by Justices Albert 
Miller, G. D. Williams. W. F. Mosley, Andrew Ure and E. K 

(317) 



318 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Davenport. This was done in the mildest manner and without all 
the formalities which now characterize its administration. It is 
said that even the revenue officers, stationed in the district to pro- 
hibit the introduction of contraband stores, paid less attention to 
the duty which they owed to "Uncle Samuel" than to that which 
they considered due to the little commonwealth of Saginaw. Con- 
sequently they received rare presents from the captains of Detroit 
boats and were always far away, when the wily Detroit man sailed 
up the river to land his cargo, or, if present, merely took a cursory 
glance at the ship, pronounced it all right and left the lake cap- 
tain to pursue his way unchallenged. Neither did the law pre- 
servers regard those proceedings with any great disfavor. They 
shared in "the hospitality of the revenue officer, and the result 
was such as might be expected. 

The Court journal begins with the chronicle of the October ses- 
sion of the Circuit Court in and for the county of Saginaw, held 
at the school-house at Saginaw City, Oct. 24, 1837, Hon. George 
Morrell, Circuit Judge, with G. D. Williams and P. J. Gardner, 
Associate Judges. 

The first grand jury sworn comprised Eleazer Jewett, Jas. J. 
Maiden, Geo. Davis, Obadiah Crane, Artemus W. Bacon, A. F. 
Hayden, Eleazer Miller, Sidney S. Campbell, James Frazer, 
Thomas Simpson, Harvey Williams, Joab Lull, Humphrey McLean, 
Asa Hill, Duncan McLellan, Roderick Vaughan, Phineas Spauld- 
ing, John Brown, Nathaniel Foster and Geo. Youngs. 

Edward McCarthy and Anthony R. Swarthout were summoned on 
this jury, but were not present, Thomas Simpson was appointed 
foreman, and as such was empowered to subpoena and swear wit- 
nesses. These preliminaries having been observed, the jury re- 
tired to consider presentments in charge of Deputy-Sheriff Allen. 
The petit jury, sworn the succeeding day, comprised John 
Simpson, Peter Guillott, J. B. Truesdell, Charles A. Lull, Benj. 
McLellan, Benj. Cushaway, James McCarthy, Thomas McCarthy, 
Stephen Benson, Harvey Rumville and Weston G. Elmer. 
Albert Miller, John B. Desnoyer and Benway Tromble were 
summoned, but did not appear. 

The first cause brought before the court was that of Humphrey 
McLean vs. John B. Desnoyer represented by Attorney S. G. 
Watson; the second was that of John Todd vs. Moses Maynard, jr., 
in which Attorney Watson represented the plaintiff. On the 
second day of the term Samuel G. Watson was appointed district 
attorney pro tern. The causes presented for trial on that day were: 
Joseph' J. Maiden vs. Elisha Rice; John C. Tibbetts vs. Nath. 
Bennett, Gardner D. Williams and E. S. Williams; Isaiah Hall 
vs. Duncan McLellan; John Brown vs. same; and Harvey Rum- 
ville vs. same. Those law cases were simple in character, yea, a 
few of them were continued from session to session until the 
most ardent lover of legal delay was disposed to retire from the 
court and forswear all litigation. During the early years 
there is not one case of a criminal character on record; but as 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 319 

the settlement grew older, the criminal presented himself in 
almost every phase. 

THE I OUNTY OOTTET. 

Elijah X. Davenport and William Smith were the Judges of the 
Oonnty Court from its inauguration, Feb. 15, 1848, to Dec. 30, 
L851. " 

The last entry or the record of the Saginaw County Court was 
made Dec. 30, 1851. The last case brought before the court was 
that of the People vb. Solomon Johnson, which resulted in his 
discharge. The firsl •■use tried before that tribunal was the com- 
plaint of W. I- P. Little against Judge Davenport, for the illegal 
Beizure ofhis goods and chattels. Judge W. Smith, second judge 
of tin- court, adjourned the hearing of the case from Feb. 15 to 
March 21, L848, when, after the examination of the plaintiff, Joshua 
D. Smith, and Royal \Y. Jenny, he gave judgment against 
Judge Davenporl for $150, with costs amounting to $3.95. The 
defendant's only justification was that he acted as treasurer of the 
township of Saginaw, and in the interest of the people. 

TUK PROBATE COURT. 

Jan. 10, L836, the first entry was made in the record book of 
the Probate ( Jourt at Saginaw county. During the first ten years, up 
to Jan. 10, L846, just LOO pages of the record were filled, and in 
those pages i- contained the whole probate business of the county 
for that period of time. 

JUDGES "I THE SAGINAW CIRCUIT COURT. 

L837-Geo. Morrell, C. J.; G. D. Williams, A. J.; P. G. Gard- 
ner. A. J. 

L839-'40— Charles W. Whipple. C. J.; J. D. Williams, A. J.; 
1'. I >. < rardner, A. J. 

L841-'2— Charles W. Whipple, C. J.; G.I). Williams, A. J. ; 
Elijah N. I >avenport, A. J. 

L845— Charles W. Whipple. ('. J.; G. D. Williams, A. J.; 
Andrew Ore, A. J. 

Sanford M. Green, I . J.. 1^49; Josiah Turner, 1857; W. J. 
F. Woodworth, L859; Josiah Turner. 1859; W. F. Woodworth, 
L860; James Birney, 1861; J. <>. Sutherland, L864; Josiah Turner, 
1-*;:.: J.G.Sutherland, 1866-'9; Charles E. Brown, 1869; J. G. 
Sutherland, 1869-'70; ¥m. F. Mitchell, L870; John Moore, ls71-'3; 
8. M. Green, L873; W. S. Tennant, L874-'8; Henry Hart, 1878; 
Wm. s. Tennant, L878-'80; Dewitt C. Gage, 1880-'l; Chauncev II. 
. L881. 

JUDGES of Till: PROBATE COURT. 

Albert Miller. 1836; Eleazer Jewett, 1845; Luke Wellington, 
L861; <>tto Roeser, 1865-1881. 



320 HISTOEY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 

Hiram S. Penoyer, 185(V1; Kichard B. Hall, 1852-'3; John 
Moore, 1854-'7; William L. Webber, 1858-'9; William H. Sweet, 
I860- 1 !; Chauncey.H. Gage, 1862- , 5; Edwin H. Powers, 1866-'9; 
Daniel P. Foote, 1870-'l; William Gillett, 1872-'5; George A. 
Flanders, 1876-'7; Lorenzo T. Durand, 1878-'81. 

CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS. 

Charles D. Little, 1852-'3; William L. Webber, 1854-'5; Jabez 
G. Sutherland, 1856-'7; Augustus S. Gaylord, 1858-'61; Will- 
iam J. Loveland, 1862- , 3; John J. Wheeler, 1861-'5'; William A. 
Lewis, 1866-'9; Thomas M. James, 1870-'5; John J. Heeley, 1872- 
'5; James B. Peter, 1876-7; De Forrest Paine, 1876-'7; Frederick 
Anneke, 1878-'9; John E. Nolan, 1878-'81; Herman Pistorius, 
1880-'l. 

THE PIONEER BAR. 

The pioneer lawyers of the county may be said to include all the 
members of the profession residing within the county in 1866. 
Among the members of the profession, who settled here previous 
to 1858, were Augustine Gaylord, Irving M. Smith, William Gillett, 
John B. Dillingham, John Moore, E. C. Newell, H. S. Penoyer, 
W. H. Sweet, C. D Little, John H. Sutherland, W. Benedict, Wm. 
J. Loveland, W. L. Webber, J. L. F. Fox, G Wheeler and D. . 
W. C. Gage. Together with those, were C. H. Freeman, S. P. 
Wright, James Birney, A. C. Maxwell and W. L. Sherman, of 
Lower Sagi-aw. From that period until 1866, the influx of legal 
gentlemen, and additions to the bar from within the county, 
swelled the list of lawyers. Messrs. Brown, James, Clark, Cam]), 
Gamble, Perkins, Hoyt, Sturtevant, Button, Harvey Joslin, E. H. 
Powers, Lewis, Wisner, Herring, Flanders, Thompson, Brousseau, 
James Clark, Cross, F. L. Eaton, Hanchett, Miller, Cook and 
Foote, are names well and favorablv known to the people since 
1866. 

THE PRESENT BAR. 

Names of the lawyers of the county in 1881 are as fol- 
lows : L. T. Durand, James W. Clark, William A. Clark, Wm. 
A. Clark, jr., Frederick L. Eaton, Dan. P. Foote, Benton Han- 
chett, Albert Trask, Gardner K. Grout, William H. Sweet, Gil- 
bert M. Stark, N. S. Wood, Eugene M. Joslin, H. Pistorius, 
Frederick E. Smith, Byron G. Stark, Thomas M. James, De Forest 
Paine, Oscar H. Jannasch, C. Stuart Draper, C. H. Camp, Chaun- 
cey H. Gage, L. C. Holden & Kendrich, William J. Loveland, 
Daniel W. Perkins, Harlan P. Smith, E. Wilber, William L. Web- 
ber, Chauncey W. Wisner, Geo. B. Brooks, Wheeler &McKnight, 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



321 



Oscar K. Wisner, W. R. Starr, H. H. Hoyt, Seth G. Huckins, 
James B. Peter, Bradley M. Thompson, Samuel M. Porter, Isaac 
Delano. John II. McDonald, Heman B. Ferris, Jno. E. Nolan, 
Frank E. Emerick, Cromwell Galpin, Michael Erennan, John 
RfcArthnr, S. <i. FTiggins, Timothy E. Tarsney, George W. Wead- 
ock, I. A. Edget, W. <i. Gage, II. Miller, IlanlanP. Smith, George 
A. Flanders, George Brucker, II. Moore, W. S. Tennant, 
D. W. 0. Gage. John T. Hall and Bvron L. Ransford, 
connected with the profession until recently, have removed. In 
the pages devoted to biography sketches of many of these gentle- 
men are given. 



tfcfl^ 4 " 




CHAPTER X. 

POLITICAL. 

The interest taken in political matters by the people of Saginaw 
county is deep indeed. Their principles are so well set that neither 
time nor change seems to affect them; so that he who was a Whig 
in his earlier years is generally found in the ranks of the Republi- 
can party of the present time, and he who was a Democrat then 
remains one still. There is, however, a tendency manifested to 
cast away the tyranny of party for the privilege of an untrammeled 
vote for the truest citizen. They do this, and, while acknowledg- 
ing the great benefits conferred upon the country by the two great 
parties who claim to be the President-makers, yet they cannot 
overlook the magnitude of the abuses which have entwined them- 
selves with the present system and contribute to lessen that great 
name which should cling to the greatest of governments. 

The followers of party in this county have not been silent when 
the commonwealth needed reforms; they have scanned the actions 
of legislators with jealous eye, and rewarded or punished just in 
such measure as justice pointeth, and thus secured a fair repre- 
sentation in the councils of the Republic, as well as in these of the 
State. Nativeism, sectionalism, know-nothingism, anddemonism or 
religionism in politics appear to be on the margin of the grave — 
some of the vices already there; but enough remains to cause some 
little disunion, and so destroy what would be otherwise a magnifi- 
cent solidarity of public interests. Mercy, Justice and Patriotism 
require every corner of the land for tenancy, so that sectionalism 
and all its concomitant vices must yield — must give place to what 
is good and noble, and let peace rule on forever. 

During the first few years of the county's history party lines 
were not acknowledged, nor conventions held, nor buncombe of 
any kind indulged in. The first settlers were attached to the Jack- 
son school of politicians. They saw in the general one who held 
the Constitution of the United States above all else. When in 
1832 South Carolina assumed the right to nullify the laws 
of the United States, and to oppose the collection of the revenue, 
Gen. Jackson, then President, acted, with his usual decision, to up- 
hold the Union. He immediately ordered troops to South Carolina, 
sent explicit instructions to the Collector of Charleston to perform 
his duty, and notified Calhoun that lie would be arrested on com- 
mission of the first treasonable act. This action, together with the 
terms of his proclamation, cemented, as it were, all political parties 
under one leader, and all ready to subscribe to his political belief, 
which may be learned from the following extract: 

(322) 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 323 

" I consider, then, the power to annul a law of the United States 
incompatible with the existence of the Union, contradicted expressly 
by the letter of the Constitution, unauthorized by its spirit, incon- 
sistent with every principle on which it was founded, and destructive 
of the great object for which it was formed. To say that any State 
may at pleasure secede from the Union is to say that the United 
States are not a nation, because it would be a solecism to contend 
that any part of the nation might dissolve its connection with the 
other part, to their injury or ruin, without committing any 
offense. * * * The States severally have not retained their en- 
tire sovereignty. It has been shown that in becoming parts of a 
nation they surrendered many of their essential parts of sover 
eignty. The right to make treaties, declare war, levy taxes, exer" 
eise exclusive judicial and legislative powers, were allot' them 
functions of sovereign power. The States, then, for all of these 
important purposes, were no longer sovereign. * * * The 
duty imposed on me by the Constitution, to take care that the laws 
be faithfully executed, shall be performed to the extent of the 
powers vested in me by law." 

In those olden times an honest man was chosen on his merits, 
and asked to represent this country, and not himself, in the halls of 
the legislature, in the supervisors' court of Oakland, and again 
in the board of this county. A reference to the election returns 
subscribed will prove this statement precise in every particular, 
^l ears rolled on and still party lines remained unobserved. In 
1836 there was an apparent tendency to party politics, but the 
effort was comparatively a weak one. Two years later, in 1838, 
the abolitionist doctrine was received with favor on one side and 
with suspicion on the other. In 1840 " Abolition " and " Liberty " 
were the watchwords of the country, and four years later, the Val- 
ley sent forward a candidate for the Presidency, as the nominee of 
the Liberty party. James G. Birney, a native of Danville, Ky., 
who settled here in 1841, was sent into the Held of political battles, 
to contest it with Henry Clay on one side and James K. Polk on 
the other. Birney was honest, enthusiastic and honorable. In this 
matter he lived before his time, and as a result did not become an 
occupant of the Presidential chair. His party acquiesced in the 
doctrine, laid down at that memorable meeting, held " under the 
oaks " at Jackson in 1854, and the name and fame of the " Sons of 
Liberty " were henceforth embosomed in that party. 

The American party, organized immediately afterward, soon 
passed away. In this county, its impracticable, unjust and un- 
holy principles were stigmatized, and to the credit of the people, 
may it be said, entirely ignored. It was no more American in 
principle than the tea tax was. The contest between the humble 
Abraham Lincoln and the noted Stephen A. Douglas in I860 was 
characteristically interesting. Here it was made a trial of power 
between Democrats and Republicans. 



321 HISTORY OF SJLGINAW COUNTY. 

The election of Hon. T. Jerome as Representative in 1856 was 
one of the most stirring political contests held here. He was an 
opponent of the proposed measure to organize a portion of this 
county into a new county by the name of Bay, and consequently 
was opposed by Geo. Lord. Mr. Jerome was elected by a large 
majority. He opposed separation earnestly, but finally agreed 
with the majority in passing a bill authorizing the organization of 
Bay county, which was approved Feb. 17, 1857. The act was 
submitted to the people. In the district now comprising Bay 
county the number of votes in favor of separate organization was 
201, against 11 dissents, but the unanimous vote of the people of 
Saginaw county, as now known, opposed the measure. Under the 
advice of C. H. Freeman the people of Bay county ignored one 
section of the act, which gave power to the people of Saginaw to 
vote on the question, and recognized their own voice in the matter. 
An election of county officials was held in June, 1857, which was 
followed by a series of troubles, all resulting in bringing the mat- 
ter before the Supreme Court. The case was laid before the court 
by Win. M. Fenton, a lawyer of Flint, acting under the advice of 
C. H. Freeman, of Bay City. Hon. John Moore, of Saginaw, op- 
posed the idea of organization, but the rights of the people of the 
northern county were sustained, and the organization of the county 
declared to be a matter of fact. 

The following communication, addressed to C. H. Freeman, 
Prosecuting Attorney of Bay county, Mich. , under date of Detroit, 
June 11, 1858, contains the opinion of Atty. Gen. J. M. Howard, 
on the organization of the county and the jurisdiction of the courts: 

" Your two letters, one of the 5th and the other of the 7th inst., 
are at hand. 

"1. My opinion is that by Act No. 130 of the Session Laws of 
1857, Iosco county was an organized county from and after the 
17th of May, 1857, when that act took effect, and that until the 
county officers were chosen, as provided in section 2 of the act, it 
was for judicial purposes attached to Bay county, under section 15 
of Act 117 for the organization of the latter county, the last named 
act being ordered to take effect on the day of its approval (Feb. 17, 
1857). 

"2. I do not think these two acts inconsistent, nor, consequently, 
that Act 171 repeals Act 130,but that they can well stand together. 

"3. It is evident that in reorganizing the judicial circuits last 
winter, the Legislature did not recognize the fact that Bay county 
was duly organized for judicial purposes, but treated the territory 
of which it is composed as belonging to Saginaw, Midland and Are- 
nac; and when they provide, in section 1st, that the seventh circuit 
shall be composed of the counties of Livingston, Shiawassee, Gen- 
esee, Lapeer, Tuscola, and Saginaw, they mean Saginaw as it was 
bounded before the passage of Act No. 171 of 1857; and that when 
they provide that the tenth circuit shall be composed of the coun- 
ties of Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Iosco and Alpena, they mean 
Midland as it was before the same act took effect. The county of 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 325 

Aivnac had been merged in Bay county; and yet they attacli Are- 
nac (comprising the northern and larger part of Bay county) to 
Midland county for judicial and municipal purposes. Thus the 
part of Bay county Formerly lying in Saginaw county is left in the 
Beventh circuit; while the whole of Midland and Arenac counties, 
as formerly defined, are included in the tenth circuit. 

"That the whole <»f the old Arenac county and that part of Mid- 
land falling within the limits of Bay county, are regularly within 
tin' jurisdiction of the circuit judge of the tenth circuit, 1 have no 
doubt, because by the terms of the act of 1858, the portions of ter- 
ritory arc plainly therein included; and as they both are attached to 
Midland county for judicial purposes, I see no difficulty in the 
judge treating them as a part of that county. 

"As to that part of Saginaw county which now falls within the 
limits of Hay county, my opinion is that for all the purposes con- 
nected with the Circuit Court, it must be treated as belonging to 
Saginaw county and as falling within the seventh circuit; but for 
all other purposes as a part of Bay county. This view of the 
question may lead to some embarrassments, but none that are seri- 
ous, so far as I can foresee. 

"The slight clerical error in the description of fractional town- 
ships 15, in ranges 4 and 5, by which they are placed in ranges 5 
and 6, is not ofanv importance; the act plainly includes them in 
Bay county. * * * * * * » 

This action of the Legislature and all the events in connection 
with the organization of Bay county, go to form one of the 
political affairs which agitated the political circles of Saginaw to 

their very depths. 

In lsc'-t Geo. B. McClellan opposed the w r ar President. The 
merits of the former were many and much appreciated; but he who 
proclaimed the abolition of slavery from the highest seat in the 
I Fnion, was destined to continue in its occupation sometime longer. 
In 1868 Hon. Horatio Seymour, a Democrat, and a refined, en- 
lightened statesman, was nominated to oppose the fortunate Grant. 
Notwithstanding all the high qualifications which Mr. Seymour 
possessed, the man of the epaulettes was elected. In 1872 he was 
re-elected over the patriotic genius, Horace Greeley, as well as 
over the independent candidates. 

The election of 1876 created much excitement in Saginaw politi- 
cal circles during its progress. Owing to the quiet administration 
of Mr. Hayes and the return of prosperity, the Republicans lost no 
ground by the political disputes consequent upon that election. 

Throughout all the celebrated campaigns the citizens of Saginaw 
have as a rule voted in the interest of the Republic. They have 
always desired to witness the victory of virtue over vice, and have 
often been rewarded by the result of their battles. 

The question of setting off part of the town of Kochville from 
Saginaw county and attaching it to Bay county w r as brought before 
the Legislature April 20, 1881. When the bill was called Mr. Es- 
tabrook rose to refute f the arguments of Mr. Partridge, of Bay 



326 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

county. The member for Saginaw talked and read for over an 
hour, and was still at it when time was called at noon. He re- 
sumed at 2 p. m. and continued his argument until 2:15 p. M.,when 
Mr. Cobb joined in the debate. He spoke for half an hour, and 
was followed by Bloom, of Detroit, who appeared for the Kochville 
and Bay City side of the question. At about 3 p. m. Mr. Estabrook 
opened again in refutation of the arguments advanced by Messrs. 
Bloom and Cobb. Gorman, the one-armed orator of Washtenaw 
county, lifted up his voice for Bay City^ and the pleasant pastures 
over the river, and Capt. Henry Woodruff of Farwell, formerly of 
Saginaw, eloquently combatted the proposed session, on a point of 
its being poor State policy. 

Finally Mr.Yan Loo moved the previous question, shutting off all 
debate. A call of the House was ordered, which brought in most of the 
members from the lobbies, where the eloquence had driven them, 
and the vote was taken, resulting in 53 ayes to 27 nays. Mr. Esta- 
brook took the defeat very coolly, and by an apt remark prevented 
giving the bill immediate effect. 

It is said that the great majority of the people of Kochville de- 
sired annexation to Bay county, on account of the little attention 
bestowed upon that quarter of Saginaw by the County Board. The 
cause and the effect should never have to be recorded. 

In the following pages the results of the various elections, so far 
as this county is concerned, are given. It is not to be presumed, 
however, that the majorities given for State officers or members of 
the United States Congress by this county, led to their election in 
all cases. 

ELECTION RETURNS OF SAGINAW. 

The first election ever held in the county was that of April 4, 
1831, which resulted in the choice of Gardner D. Williams as 
supervisor; Ephraim S. Williams, town clerk; A. W. Bacon, 
treasurer; David Stanard, overseer of Saginaw district; Eleazer 
Jewett, overseer of Green Point district, and Charles McLean, over- 
seer of the Tittabawassee district. Those officers were elected viva 
voce by 13 citizens. 

The Presidential campaign of 1832 must have passed off quietly 
here, as there is no record of the vote taken. However, the Demo- 
cratic Jackson had the sympathy of the few white men then resid- 
ing here. 

A review of the elections since 1833 to the present time is given 
in the following pages: 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



327 



ELECTION OF JULY 2, 1833. 

Representative t<> Congress. 

Charles C. Eascall, dem 31 3 

Gideon O. Whittemore, whig 28 
Scattering 3 

ELECTION OF APRIL 6, 1835. 
Treasun r. 

Harvey William-, whig 

I : "lister of Deeds. 
Ephraim B. Williams, dem. . 

( ''-runer. 
Eleazer Jewett, dem 

BLE( TIOK OF OCT. 5, 6, 1835. 
Governor. 

Stevens T. Mason, lem 35 35 

Representative to Congress. 

Isaac E. Crary, dem 45 

State >- nator. 

eh r lea Eascall, dem 45 

John Stockton, dem 45 

Ebenezer Raynale, dem 45 

John Clarke, dem 45 

State Representative. 
Iner D. Williams, dem.. 44 44 
Adoption "f Constitution. 

For Constitution 40 38 

Against 2 

ELECTION OF NOV. 7, 8, 1836. 
Presidential Electors. 

David McKinstry, dem 65 1 

Daniel Le Hoy. dem 66 

William Hoair. dem 64 

State Si nator. 

.1 acob Summers, don 73 1 

Ra d lolpta Maning, dem 72 

John Clark, dem 63 

T. I. Drake, whig 10 

State Representative. 
William F. Mosley, dem.... 73 70 

Jeremiah Riggs . dem 3 

Juih/i of Probate. 

AJberl Miller, dem 74 74 

Clerk. 

William P. Little, dem 76 76 

Treasurer. 
Gardner D. Williams, don... 76 76 

Register of Deeds. 

Ephraim S. Williams, dem. . 76 76 

Sheriff. 

Y. N.Davenport, dem 75 75 

Surveyor. 
Eleazer Jewett, dem 



Coroners. 

Andrew Ore, dem 

Asa Hill, dem 

ELECTION OF NOV. 6, 1838. 

Representative to Congress. 

Hezekiah G. Wells, whig... 95 13 

Isaac E. ( Irary, dem 82 

State Senator. 

Reuben S. Smith, whig 94 1 

Ira Porter, whig 93 

Jacob Summers, dem 84 

Ebenezer B. Harrington.dem. 81 
State Representative. 

Norman Little, whig 110 42 

Samuel G. Watson, dem 68 

Clerk. 
Samuel K. Hanhg, whig ..87 2 

Amos Dixson, dem 85 

Treasurer. 

Harvey Williams, whig 109 42 

Joseph J. Maiden, dem 67 

Register of Deeds- 

Hiram L. Miller, whig 92 5 

Ephraim S. Williams, dem. 87 

Sheriff. 

Elijah N. Davenport, dem. . . 99 21 

Alpheus F. Williams, dem. . 78 

Surveyor. 

James McCormick, dem.... 99 20 

Eleazer Jewett, dem 79 

Coroners. 

Phineas Spalding, whig 96 11 

George Davis, whig 93 8 

Jeremy T. Miller, whig 85 

Eleazer Jewett, dem 79 

ELECTION OF NOV. 7, 1839. 

Governor. 

Elon Farnsworth, dem 83 23 

William Woodbridge, whig. 60 

State Senator. 

Robert Eldridge, dem 80 23 

Justin Rice, whig 57 

State Representative. 
Gardner D. Williams, dem.. 88 37 
Hiram L. Miller, whig 51 

Judge of Probate. 

Albert Miller, dem 99 9 

Jeremy T. Miller, whig 90 

Clerk. 

Joseph J. Maiden, dem 89 1 

Horace S. Beach, whig 88 

Treasurer. 

Charles S. Palmer, whig 99 7 

William McDonald, dem 92 



328 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Register of Deeds. 

Joseph S. Sharp, dem 101 14 

Horace S. Beach, whig 87 

Sheriff. 

Henry Pratt, dem 97 10 

George W. Green, whig 87 

Surveyor. 
Alpheus F. Williams, dem.. 94 3 

Eleazer Jewett, dem 91 

Coroners. 

Abraham Butts, dem 98 4 

Hugh McCullock, dem 186 93 

Alpheus F. Williams, dem. . 94 
Cromwell Barney, whig 92 

ELECTION OF NOV. 3, 1840. 
President. 

Martin Van Buren, dem 100 11 

W. H. Harrison, whig 89 

Representative to Congress. 

Alpheus Felch, dem 96 5 

Jacob A. Howard, whig 91 

stutt Senator. 

Dewitt C. Walker, dem 99 9 

James L. Conger, whig 90 

State Representative. 

Hiram L. Miller, whig 94 

Jeremiah Riggs, dem 94 

Special Election. 

Hiram L. Miller, whig 93 21 

Gardner D. Williams, dem.. 72 

ELECTION OF NOV. 1,2, 1841. 
Governor. 

John S. Barry, dem 74 

Philo C. Fuller, whig 78 4 

State Senator. 

Hiram L. Miller, whig 108 25 

Moses Wisner, whig 83 

Daniel B. Wakefield, dem. . . 55 

Isaac Wixom, dem 46 

State Representative. 
Norman Little, whig. ..... 89 40 

Elijah N. Davenport, dem. . . 49 
Sheriff {to -fill vacancy). 

James Kenney, whig 71 17 

Alpheus F. Williams, dem... 54 
Surveyor. 

Eleazer Jewett, dem 72 27 

James J. McCormick, whig. . 45 

ELECTION OF NOV. 7, 8, 1842. 
State Senator. 

Sanford M. Green, dem 104 26 

George W. Wisner, whig 78 

State Representative. 

Noah Beach, dem 70 6 

Luke Wellington, whig 64 

Jeremiah Riggs, dem 53 



Clerk. 

Hiram L. Miller, whig 67 5 

Joseph J. Maiden, dem 62 

Sidney S. Campbell, dem 19 

Treasurer. 

Charles S. Palmer, whig 124 66 

Albert Miller, dem 58 

Register of Deeds. 

Horace S. Beach, whig 66 10 

Charles L. Richman, whig. . . 56 

Sheriff. 

James Kenney, whig 97 16 

Elijah N. Davenport, dem. . . 81 
Surveyor. 

Martin L. Miller, whig 62 8 

James J. McCormick, dem. . 54 

Coroners. 

Hugh McCullock, dem 84 16 

Thomas Smith, dem 72 4 

George W. Bullock, whig. . . 68 
A. P. Hayden, dem 62 

ELECTION OF NOV. 6, 7, 1843. 

Governor. 

John S. Barry, dem .101 31 

Zina Pitcher, whig 70 

Representative to Congress. 

James B. Hunt, dem 101 30 

Thomas J. Drake, whig 71 

Slate Senator. 

Johnson Niles, dem 98 

Alvin N. Hart, dem 98 

John M. Lamb, whig 73 

Rufus Hosmer, whig 73 

State Representative. • 

Hiram L. Miller, whig Ill 51 

Thomas McCarty, dem 60 

Constitutional Amendment. 

For Amendment 106 95 

Against Amendment 11 

ELECTION OF NOV. 4, 5, 1844. 
President. 

Henry Clay, whig 107 3 

James K. Polk, dem 104 

Scattering 2 

Representative to Congress. 

James B. Hunt, dem 107 1 

George W. Wisner, whig. . . .106 
State Senator. 

Hiram L. Miller, whig 115 15 

Gardner D. Williams, dem.. 100 

State Representative. 
Charles L. Richman, whig. ..105 34 

Alfred Holmes, dem . 71 

James G. Birney, abolition. . . 38 






HISTOBY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



329 



Constitutional Amendment. 

For Amendment 166 162 

Amendment 8 

Ju'h/t of Probatt . 

( Jharlefl B. Palmer, whig 115 16 

Albert Miller, dem 99 

l "lerk. 

William L. P. Little, dem 111 11 

Frederick W. Backus, whig .100 

Treasiiii r. 

Hiram L. .Miller, whig 10S 3 

Sidney B. Campbell, dem — 105 

Registi r of Deeds. 

Horace B. Beach, whig 125 40 

Thomas Simpson, dem 85 

Sheriff. 

Samuel Gordon, whig 115 15 

Joshua Blackmail, dem 100 

Surveyor. 
James J. McCormick, dem. ..118 21 

Luke Wellington, whig 97 

C<>rn in rs. 
Elijah N. Davenport, dem. ..109 2 

Ebenezer Davis, dem 108 1 

;■ GruiUot, whig 107 

William Ken wick, whig 106 

ELECTION OF NOV. 4, 1845. 
Qom rnor. 

Alpheus Felch, dem 89 2 

Stephen VTckery,dem 87 

James G. Birney, abolition... 9 

Stab Senator. 
William M. Fenton,dem.... 96 8 

Banford M. Green, dem 96 8 

William Burbank, whig 88 

John C. Gallop, whig 88 

State Representative. 

Charles 8. Palmer, whig 101 25 

Albert Miller, dem 86 

ELECTION OF NOV. 3, 1846. 
Representative to Congress. 
Kinsley S.Bingham, dem.. . 108 18 
V. Wisner, whig — 90 

State Senator. 

Andrew Parsons, dem 130 32 

Johnson Niles, dem 128 ■ 30 

Elijah B. Wit herbee, whig.. 98 

John II. Button, whig 92 

State Representative. 

Albert Miller, dem.... 137 46 

William II. Nelson, whig.. . 91 
./ <lge of Probate. 

Eleazer Jewett, dem 127 27 

Luke Wellington, whig 100 

20 



Clerk. 
Absalom F. Hayden, dem.... 113 8 

George Davis, whig 106 

Treasurer. 

Samuel Gordon, whig 128 30 

Royal W. Jenny, dem 98 

Register of Deeds. 

Coe Garratt, dem 129 38 

Daniel Woodin, whig 91 

Sheriff. 

James H. Gotee, dem 115 19 

Ebenezer W. Perry, whig. . 96 

Surveyor. 

James J. McCormick, dem.. 129 29 
Horace S. Beach, whig 100 

Coroners. 

Thomas Rogers, dem 137 42 

Joshua Blackmore, dem. .. . 135 43 

Caleb Gardner, whig 95 

David G. Philbreck," whig. . 92 

ELECTION OF NOV. 2, 1847. 
Governor. 
Epaphroditus Ransom, dem. 156 42 
James M. Edmunds, wdiig. . 114 

State Senator. 
Alvin N. Hart, to fill vacan- 
cy, dem 157 44 

James Kipp, whig 113 

Edward II. Thompson, dem. 157 44 

James McCabe, dem 157 44 

David Bush, jr., whig.. .'.... 113 
Henry W. Lord, whig 110 

State Representative. 

Murdock Fraser, dem 131 6 

Luke Wellington, whig 124 

ELECTION OF NOV. 7, 1848. 

President. 

Lewis Cass, dem 182 65 

Zachary Taylor, whig.- 118 

M. Van Bureu, free soil 47 

Representative to Congress. 
Kinsley S. Bingham, dem. . 185 67 
George H. Hazleton, whig. . 118 
John M. Lamb, whig 45 

State Senator. 

Jonathan P. King, dem 282 64 

Alvin N. Hart, dem 185 67 

John Bacon, whig 118 

( lharles Draper, whig 118 

Thomas Curtis, free soil 34 

John B. Barnes, free soil ... 34 
State Representative. 

Alfred Holmes, dem 188 36 

Royal C. Ripley, whig 152 



330 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Judge of Probati . 

Eleazer Jewett, deni 183 35 

Dr George Davis, whig 148 

Clerk. 
Alpheus F. Williams, dem.. 178 26 
William H. Nelson, whig. . 152 
Treasurer. 

Royal W. Jenny, dem 149 

Samuel Gordon, whig 164 15 

Register of Deeds. 

Coe Garratt, dem 210 86 

Octaviua Thompson, whig. . 134 
Sherif. 

Jerome H. Gotee, dem 193 46 

Caleb Gardner, whig 14? 

Surveyor. 
James J. McCormiek, dem.. 172 
Joseph Lawrence, whig. . . . 167 
Coroners. 

Thomas Rogers, dem 203 64 

Peter Lane, dem 194 55 

Deuuis Harrison, whig 139 

Rufus P. Mason, whig 127 

ELECTION OF NOV. 6, 1849. 

Governor. 

John S. Barry, dem 213 72 

Flavius J. Littlejolm, abol..l4t 
Constitutional Amendment. 

For Amendment 299 296 

Against Amendment 3 

State Senator. 
Thornton F. Broadhead,whig 214 20 

Noah Beach, dem 194 

State Representative. 

Thomas McCarty, dem 213 

Rufus P. Mason, whig 140 

ELECTION OF NOV. 5, 1850. 
Representative to Congress. 

Charles C Hascall, dem 266 34 

James L. Conger, whig 232 

State Senators. 

Samuel Axford, dem 281 63 

Elijah J. Roberts, dem 280 62 

Samuel Ashman, whig 218 

Sullivan R. Kelsey, whig.. .. 218 
Johnson Niles, vacancy,dem. 224 1 

John P. Leroy, vacancy,whig 223 
State Representative. 

John W. Turner, dem 319 241 

Norman Little, whig 78 

Clerk. 
Alpheus F. Williams, dem.. 301 115 
Henry C. Ashman, whig. . . . 186 
Treasurer. 

Coe Garratt, dem 229 

Samuel Gordon, whig 270 41 



Register of Di ids. 

Peter C. Andre, dem 264 35 

Timothy Battell, whig 229 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

Hiram S. Penoyer, dem 297 112 

Charles J. Hunt, whig 185 

Sheriff. 

Isaiah Bookstaver, dem 297 103 

Menzo C. Stevens, whig. . . . 194 
Surveyor. 

Abraham Butts, dem , 264 33 

Horace S. Beach, whig 231 

Com m vs. 

Peter Lane, dem 281 62 

Jerome H. Gotee, dem 281 63 

Israel Catlin, whig 219 

Abner Hubbard, whig 218 

ELECTION OF NOV. 4, 1851. 

Governor. 

Robert McClelland, dem.. . . 220 91 

Townsend C. Gidley, whig.. 129 

ELECTION OF NOV. 2, 1852. 

President. 

Franklin Pierce, dem 694 327 

Winfield Scott, whig 367 

John P. Hale, abolition 73 

Governor. 

Robert McClelland, dem 691 

Zachariah Chandler, whig. . 374 

Isaac P. Christiancy,free soil 67 

Representative to Congress. 

Hester L. Stevens, dem 660 283 

George Bradley, whig 377 

Ephraim Calkins, ab 40 

State Senator. 

Daniel Jolmson, dem 609 

John H. Richardson, whig. . 448 
State Representative. 

Alfred M. Hoyt, whig 425 34 

Jabez G. Sutherland, dem.... 391 
Franklin Millard, free soil. . 287 
Judge of Probate. 

Eleazer Jewett, dem 649 193 

Hiram L. Miller, whig 456 

Clerk. 
Augustus S. Gaylord, whig. 556 5 

Dion Birnej 7 , dem 551 

Treasurer. 

Samuel Gordon, whig 615 132 

Peter C. Andre, dem 483 

Register of Deeds. 

Coe Garratt, dem 711 324 

William Binder, whig 387 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

Richard B. Hall, dem 661 236 

Henry C. Ashman, whig... . 435 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNT V. 



331 



Circuit Court Commissioner. 

Charles D. Little,dem 188 

Jain.- I. T, Fox, whig 427 

•iff. 

Jerome II. < lotee, dem 718 

William Packard, whig.... 896 

oeyor. 

Abraham Butts, dem 696 

Alexander Alberti, whig.... 335 

Charles W. Grant, dem 701 

( teorge E. Smith, dem 687 

ns Thompson, whig.. . 433 

1 -: x] t 'at 1 in. whig 238 

ELECTION OF Nov ; 
Governor. 

Jehu S. Harry, dem 651 

Kin-ley S. Bingham, rep. . . 517 
' 'ongress. 

_•■ W. Peck, dem 701 

Moses Wisner, rep 512 

State Senator. 

Henry J. Alvord, dem 693 

Charles Kellogg, abol 352 

John W. Lamb, fus 7-4 

Stati Representative. 
Jonathan S. Barclay, dem.. . 404 

Hiram L. .Miller, dem 488 

Franklin Millard, rep 144 

Clerk. 

Hiram T. Ferris, dem 660 

istua 8. I laylord, rep.. . 559 
Treasurer. 
Joshua Blackmore, dem .... 7 1 7 
Samuel Gordon, rep 453 

Register of Da 

John Parrish, jr., rep 607 

Placidua Ord, dem 297 

Charles J). Little, dem 282 

Prost outing Attorney. 

John Moore, dem 809 

Henry < '. Ashman, rep 272 

Circuit Court Commissioner. 
William L. Webber, dem. .. 779 

John .Moure, dem '.' 

Israel Catlin, rep 2 

Sheriff. 

Charles W. Grant, dem 653 

Willard Packard, rep 368 

Surveyor. 

sander Alberti, dem 713 

Darwin A. Pettibone, rep... 459 
Oorom rs. 

Jules B. Hart, dem 702 

1 ■ Hess, dem 762 



56 



320 



301 



278 
204 



134 



189 



341 



101 



310 



537 



285 



254 



191 
251 



Adoniram Darin, rep 511 

[srael Catlin. rep 480 

ELECTION OF NOV. 8, 1856 
President. 

J. Buchanan, dem 1222 180 

J. ('. Fremont, rep 1042 

M. Fillmore, Amer 17 

Govt mor. 

Alpheus Felch, dem 1247 210 

Kinsley S. Bingham, rep. . .1037 
Representative to t 'ongress. 

George W. Peck, dem 1252 118 

Dewitt C. Leach, rep 1034 

Statt Senator. 
Alfred L. Williams dem. . .1124 
Thomas Whitney, rep 1152 28 

State Representative. 

Timothy Jerome, dem 1222 105 

George Lord, rep 1057 

Judge of Probate. 

Dewitt G. Gage, rep 1135 

Eleazer Jewett, dem 1149 14 

Cltrl:. 

Hiram T. Ferris, dem 1308 335 

Geoige W. Sutton, rep 973 

Treasurer. 

Joshua Blackmore, dem 1449 600 

Charles Post, rep 849 

Register of Deeds. 

John Parrish, jr., rep 1196 299 

Henry Flatare, dem 897 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

John Moore, dem 1294 306 

Stephen P. Wright, rep 988 

Circuit Court Commissioner. 
Jabez G. Sutherland, dem. .1254 230 
William J. Loveland, rep. ..1024 

Sheriff. 

( harles W. Grant, dem 1346 417 

Willard Packard, rep 929 

Surveyor. 

Abraham Butts, dem 1127 60 

D. A. Pettibone, rep 1067 

Coroners. 

Jerome H. Gotee, dem 1242 194 

Jules B. Hart, dem 1242 194 

Octavus Thompson, rep 1048 

William I. Craagge, rep 1039 

ELECTION OF NOV. 2, 1858. 
Governor. 

Charles E. Stuart, dem 1069 280 

Moses Wisner, rep 789 

. Representative in Congrest, 

Robert W. Davie, dem 1028 

I >ewitt C. Leach, rep 8^3 



332 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



State Senator. 
Robert R.Thompson, dem... 1124 383 

James Birney, reb 741 

State Representative. 

John F. Driggs, rep 934 31 

Peter C. Andre, dem 903 

Clerk. 

Charles D. Little, dem 896 

William Moll, rep 943 47 

Treasurer. 

Joshua Blackmore, dem 1201 545 

C. Eliakim Ripley, rep .... 656 
Register of Deeds. 

George Schmidt, dem 886 24 

Oliver P. Burt, rep 862 

Prosecuting Attorney. 
William L.Webber, dem.. 973 101 
William H. Sweet, rep .... 872 

Circuit Court Commissioner. 
George B. Benedict, dem . . . 856 
Augustus S. Gaylord, rep... 1002 146 
Sheriff. 

John W. Turner, dem 796 170 

Asa H. Paine, rep 626 

Surveyor. 

Lewis Loeffler, dem 979 101 

Darwin A. Pettibone, rep. . . 878 

Coroners. 

Jerome H. Gotee, dem 1076 257 

Reuben Fairchild, dem 1039 220 

George A. Lathrop, rep 819 

Octavius Thompson, rep. . . . 766 

ELECTION OF NOV. 6, 1860. 
President. ' 

A, Lincoln, rep 1479 272 

S. A. Douglas, dem 1207 

John Bell, Amer 8 

Governor. 

Austin Blair, rep 1476 147 

John S. Barry, dem 1229 

Representative to Congress. 
Rowland E. Trowbridge, rep..l477 264 
Edward H. Thompson, dem..l213 
State Senator. 

John N. Ingersoll, rep 1514 337 

William L. Webber, dem. ...1177 
State Representative. 

Benjamin G. Hill, rep 1447 208 

Jabez G. Sutherland, dem. ..1239 
Judge of Probate. 

Luke Wellington, rep 1346 9 

John Moore, dem 1337 

Clerk. 

William Moll, rep 1713 732 

George F. Ball, dem 981 



Treasurer. 

Joshua Blackmore, dem 1428 182 

Benjamin F. Fisher, rep 1246 

Register of Deeds. 

George Veinrliet, rep 1427 165 

George Schmidt, dem 1262 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

William H. Sweet, rep 1474 156 

Bradley M.Thompson, dem. .1218 
Circuit Court Commissioner. 
Augustus S. Gaylord, rep. . .1611 542 

Lester Cross, dem 1069 

Sheriff. 

Henry Woodruff, rep 1461 241 

John W. Turner, dem 1220 

Surveyor. 
Ira W. La Munyon, rep. . . . 1378 665 

Alexander Alberti, dem 713 

Coroners. 

Robert Clark, rep 1481 249 

Charles T. Disbrow, rep 1456 224 

Jerome H. Gotee, dem 1232 

Jesse L. Fisher, dem 1219 

ELECTION OF NOV. 4, 1862. 
Governor. 

Austin Blair, rep 1106 

Byron G. Stout, dem 1354 248 

Representative to Congress. 

John F. Driggs, rep 1100 

John Moore, dem 1363 263 

State Senator. 

David H. Jerome, rep 1141 

Appleton Stevens, dem 1323 182 

State Representative. 

Solomon B. Bliss, rep 603 59 

John Gallagher, dem 544 

Clerk. 

George Schmidt, dem 1250 37 

William Moll, rep 1213 

Treasurer. 

William J. Barton, dem 1355 249 

Veeder W. Paine, rep 1106 

Register of Deeds. 

James N. Gotee, dem 1287 109 

George F. Veinrliet, rep 1178 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

Chauncey H. Gage, dem 1312 163 

William H. Sweet, rep 1149 

Circuit Court Commissioner. 
William J. Loveland, rep . . . 1297 127 
Patrick Glynn, dem 1170 

Sheriff. 
Jesse H. Quackenbush, iem.1248 33 
Franklin A. Curtis, rep 1215 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



333 



Siitv, i/or. 

Lewis Loeffler, dem 1310 155 

Darwin A Pettibone, rep. . ,1158 

Albert G. Bissell, dem 1337 201 

John B. White, dem 1332 196 

Louis Baumgart, rep 1136 

Ethan Allen', rep 1123 

ELECTION OF NOV. 8, 1864. 
President. 
Geo. B. McClellan, dem. . . .1900 169 
A. Lincoln, rep 1731 

mor. 
William M. Fenton, dem... 1911 189 
Henry 11. Crapo, rep 1722 

Representative to Congress. 

William Willard, Jem 1872 113 

John F. Driggs, rep 1759 

Statt Senator. 

George Lord, dem 1882 127 

David H. Jerome, rep 1755 

State Representatiits. 
First District : 

William II. Taylor, rep 1033 194 

Dan. I'. Foote.dem 839 

George Luther 33 

8eeond District : 
Samuel W. Yawkey, rep... 966 188 
John G. Hubinger, dem. . . . 848 

Judge of Probate. 

otto Roeser,rep 1823 21 

Robert R. Thompson, dem. .1802 

Clerk, 

George Schmidt, dem 1914 196 

William Mull, rep 1718 

Treasurer. 
Thomas L. Jackson, dem. . .1910 192 

Emil Moures, rep 1718 

lit gist a- oj Deeds. 

James N . Gotee, dem 1956 286 

Thomas W. Hastings, dem. .1671) 
Prosecuting Attorney. 

Chauncey II. Gage, dem 1881 124 

Chauncev W. Wisner, rep. . .1753 
nit Court Commissioner. 

John I. Wheeler, dem 1891 143 

Daniel W. Perkins, rep 1748 

8h riff. 
Jesse H. Quackenbush, dem..l952 287 
Augustus Lull, rep 1605 

Surveyor. 

Lewis Loeffler, dem 1929 222 

Ira W. La Munyon, rep 1707 



Coroners. 

John R. White, dem 1910 

John Era, dem 1907 

[arael N. Smith, rep 1728 

Seth Willey, rep 1729 

ELECTION OF NOV. 6, 1866. 
Govi mar. 

Henry II. Crapo, rep 2339 

AlpheusS. Williams, dem.. 174!) 

Representative /<> Congress. 

John F. Driggs, rep 2341 

Julius K. Rose, dem 1742 

State Senator. 

David H. Jerome, rep 2352 

John R. Cheesmer, dem . . . 1725 

State Representatives. 
First District \ 

William II. Taylor, rep... 1132 

Julius Brousseau, dem 973 

Second District. 
George K. Newcombe, rep... .1135 
George A. Flanders, dem 778 

Cli rk. 

Edward Bloedon. rep 2180 

Henan R. Ferris, dem 1869 

Treasurer. 

Gideon A. Lyon, rep 2190 

Thomas L. Jackson, dem . . .1895 
Register of Deeds. 

AlonzoL. Bingham, rep 2262 

Rolla Glover, dem 1809 

Prosecuting Attorney. 
Edwin H. Powers, rep . . .2306 

Daniel P. Foote, dem 1777 

C ircuit Court Commissioner 

William A. Lewis, rep 2364 

John J. Wheeler, dem 1731 

Sheriff. 

Henry Miller, rep 2482 

Ephraim W. Lyon, dem. . . .1600 

Surveyor. 
Darwin A. Pettibone, rep... .2353 
Lewis Loeffler, dem 1740 

Coroners. 

Nehemiah Osborn, rep 2359 

Lyman W. Bliss, rep 2359 

George J. Northrup, dem . . . 1744 
Jonathan G. Rouse, dem 1744 

ELECTION OF NOV. 3, 1868. 

President. 

U. S. Grant, rep 3360 

Horatio Seymour, dem 2761 

Governor 
Henry P. Baldwin, rep . . . .3254 
John Moore, dem 2767 



181 
178 



590 



599 



627 



159 



357 



311 



295 



453 



529 



633 



882 



613 



615 

615 



599 



487 



334 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Representative to Congress. 
Randolph Strickland, rep . . .3128 283 

William Newton, dera 2845 

State Representatives. 

First District: 

Peter Lane, rep 1778 207 

Joseph N. Eldral, dem 1571 

Second District. 
Samuel W. Yawkey, rep .... 1507 271 

Moses B. Yless, dem 1236 

State Senator. 

Alfred B. Wood, rep 5431 1258 

James L. Ketchum, dem... .4173 
Judge of Probate. 

Otto Roeser, rep 3466 843 

George M. Schaeffer, dem. .5623 
Clerk. 

Edward Bloedon, rep 3127 277 

Heman B. Ferris, dem 2950 

T'reasurer. 

Gideon A . Lyon, rep 3267 443 

Thomas L. Jackson, dem. . .2824 
Register of Deeds. 

Alonzo L. Bingham, rep 3349 610 

Clark M. Curtis, dem 2739 

Prost cuiing Attorney. 

Edwin H. Powers, rep 3290 480 

William A. Clark, dem 2810 

Circuit Court Commissioners. 

William A. Lewis, rep 3340 580 

Daniel P. Foote, dem 27(50 

Sheriff. 

Henry Miller, rep 3567 1036 

Thomas E. Doughty, dem. ..2531 

Surveyor. 
Isaac H. Leavenworth, rep. 3298 544 

Louis Loenier, dem 2754 

Coroners. 

Theodore Krauss, rep 3348 592 

Neheniiah Os orn, rep 3346 590 

J. H.White, dem 2756 

W. H. P.Benjamin, dem . ..2755 

ELECTION OF NOV. 8, 1870. 
Governor. 

Henry P. Baldwin, rep 2882 391 

Charles H. Comstock, dem.. 2491 
Representative to Congress. 

John F. Driggs, rep 2250 

Jabez G. Sutherland, dem. .2832 582 
State Senator. 

Alfred B. Wood, rep 4745 956 

'ohn Jeffred, dem 3789 

State Representatives. 
First District. 

Israel N. Smith, rep 1402 

Charles D. Little, dem 1534 132 



Second District: 

John J. Wheeler, dem 1120 

Berohard Haack, rep 1259 139 

Clerk. 

Fred. B. Sweet, rep 3104 898 

George F. Lew r is, dem 2206 

Treasurer. 
George F. Van Fliet, rep . . .2808 289 
Thomas R. Mosher, dem. ...2519 
Register of Deeds. 

Jerome K. Stevens, rep 2888 503 

William J, Howard, dem. ..2385 
Prosecuting Attorney. 

Daniel P. Foote, dem 2659 3 

Daniel W. Perkins, rep 2056 

Circuit Court Commissioner. 

Thomas M. James, rep 2899 380 

Frederick L. Eaton, dem. . .2519 
Sheriff. 

Austin L. Rankin, rep 2881 453 

Orange S. Thompson, dem. .2428 

Surveyor. 
Isaac, H. Leavenworth, rep . . 2850 330 

Louis Loeffler, dem 2520 

Coroners. 

Daniel Forrest, rep 2796 214 

Henry Miller, rep 2761 189 

Benjamin B. Ross, dem 2582 

John B. White, dem 2430 

ELECTION OF NOV. 5, 1872. 
Presidt nt. 

IT. S. Grant, rep 3674 1021 

Horace Greeley, lib. rep 2653 

Chas O'Conor, dem 139 

Scattering 10 

Governor. 

John J. Bagley, rep 3705 971 

Austin Blair, dem 2734 

Representat ve to Congress. 
Chauncey W. Wisner, dem.3620 743 

Nathan B. Bradley, rep 2877 

State Senator. 
Charles V. De Land, rep. . . .3499 518 

Joshua Tuthill, dem 2981 

State Representative. 

Thomas C. Ripley, rep 1081 

Charles D. Little, dem 972 

Second District : 

Conrad Fay, rep 1274 273 

Bradley M. Thompson, dem. 1001 
Third District : 

Francis Ackley, rep 1184 239 

Jared Freeman, dem 945 

Judge of Probate. 

Otto Roeser, rep 4044 1554 

Julius K. Rose, dem 2490 



HI8T0RY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



335 



t 7, rk. 

Fred B. Sweet, rep 1297 2083 

William Eremer, dem 2214 

mrer. 
»rge F. Van Fliet, rep. .. 1294 2029 
John L. Krafft, dem 2265 

Regis' i r of Deeds. 

Jerome K. Stevens, rep 4428 2867 

Aaron A. Parsons, dem . . .2061 
Prosecuting Attorney. 

William Gillett, rep 3902 1291 

iel P. Foote, dem 2611 

nissioner. 
Thomas M. James, rep ....3811 1046 

John J Beeley, rep ::^or 1042 

cm s. Wood, dem 2585 

George a. Fl inders, dem. . .2765 

Sheriff. 
Reuben W. Andrus, rep.... 3544 574 

T. Daily Mower.dem 21)70 

Surveyor. 
II. Leavenworth, rep. 3801 1086 

Louis Loeffler, dem 2715 

i 'oroners. 

Daniel Forrest, rep 3967 1336 

William P. Burdick, rep. ..3775 1144 

George Maurer, dem 2631 

Gregory Adams, dem 2572 

ELECTION OF NOV. 3, 1874. 
Gov* rnor. 

John J. Bagley, rep 2637 

Henry Chamberlain, dem.. .3416 779 
Represt itative to Congress. 

Nathan B. Bradley, rep 2030 

rge F. Lewis, dem 3432 802 

stall Senator. 

Ezra Hush, rep 2723 

William L. Webber, dem.. 3372 649 
Staii Represt ntatives. 
First District. 

Thomas C. Ripley, rep 078 

Charles I). Little, dem 1216 538 

Second District. 

Daniel Forrest, rep 895 

Joseph A. Hollon, dem 1189 294 

Third District. 

Francis Ackley, rep 843 

William H.P.Benjamin,deml 192 24g 
Clerk. 

Fre 1 B Sweet, rep 3221 531 

Joseph C. Leonard, dem. . .2693 

Truism-, r . 

ee F. Vanfliet, rep. . . 2628 -A 
Thomas R. Mosher, dem. .2589 



ELECTION OF NOV. 7, 18 

President. 

R. B. Bayes, rep..; 4182 

is. J. Tilden, dem 1850 

Govt rnor. 
Charles M. Croswell, rep. ..3982 
William L. Webber, dem. .5051 
Representative to Congress. 
Charles C. Ellsworth, rep. ..4132 
Fred II. Potter, dem 4906 

Stale Sena'or. 

Charles L. Draper, rep 4510 

Dan. P. Foote, dem 4513 

State Representatives. 

First District : 

Charles D. Little, dem 1613 

Gardner K. Grout, rep 1179 

Second District : 

Herbert H. Boyt, rep 1402 

Lawson C. Holden, dem. . . 1412 

Third District : 

George W. Sackridge, dem. 1760 

Louis P. Racine, rep 1560 

liegtsti r of Deeds. 
Jerome K. Stevens, rep. .. .3000 
Porter Davenport, dem.... 2553 
Presecuting Atto rn ey. 

William Gillett, rep 3045 

William A. Clark, dem 2812 

Circuit Court Commissioner. 

Thomas M. James, rep 2700 

John J. Heeley, rep 2438 

James B. Peter, dem 3124 

De Forest Paine, dem 2802 

Sherif. 
Reuben W. Andrus, rep. . . .21 10 

Murlin C. Osborn, dem 2625 

Surveyor. 

Isaac II. Leavenworth, rep. .2466 
William Brenner, dem 3122 

Coroners. 

Andrew Mclnnes, rep 2488 

William P. Burdick, rep. . .2257 

John B. White, dem 3201 

William Ballard, dem 3062 

Judgi of Probate. 

Otto Koeser, rep 4525 

Josepb N. Eldred, dem.. . .4488 

Clerk. 
Charles H. Richmond, rep. .4144 
Byron G. Stark, dem 4807 

Treasurer. 

Herman Goeschel, rep 44^8 

Jacob Schwartz, dem 4503 

Register of Deeds. 
Theodore L. Brundage, rtp. .3977 
Frank Lawrence, dem 4774 



76. 
668 
1069 

774 



434 



200 



447 



233 



424 
102 

115 



056 



713 
574 



37 



663 



15 



797 



336 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Prosecuting Attorney. 

Albert Trask, rep 4006 

George A Flanders, dein 4981 975 

Circuit Court Commissioner. 

Lozine A. Hurlburt rep 4270 

William G. Gage, rep 4237 

James B. Peter, dem 4710 440 

DeForest Paine, dem 4832 562 

Sheriff. 

John Barter, rep 4357 

James F. Adams, dem 4651 294 

Surveyor. 
Isaac H. Leavenworth, rep. .4159 
Harrison Cary, dem 4847 688 

Coroners. 

Samuel Kitchen, rep 4226 

Sidney I. Small, rep 4286 

Charles T. Martin, d m 4845 559 

Daugald Mclntyre, dem 4720 434 

ELECTION OF NOV. 5, 1878. 
Governor. 

Orlando M. Barnes, dem 3099 332 

Charles M. Croswell, rep. ...2767 
Henry I. Smith, gr'nb'k. . .1960 

Walson Snyder, proh 84 

Representatives to Congress. 
Bradley M. Thompson, dem. 3129 1591 

Roswell G. Horr, rep 1538 

Herbert H. Hoyt, greenback 1910 

State Senator. 
William H. P. Benjamin, d.3093 352 

Gardner K. Grout, rep 2741 

Benjamin J. Downing, g'b'k 1965 
State Representatives. 
First District : 

Willard Shattuck, dem 1021 280 

Myron Butman, rep 741 

Bartholomew Griffin, gr'nb'k. 671 
Second District: 

Byron B. Bach, dem 808 

John S. Estabrook, rep 1047 239 

Daniel Forest, gr'nb'k 751 

Third District: 

George F. Vienfliet, rep 1094 80 

George M. Williams, dem.. .1014 
James W. Morse, gr'nb'k. . . 615 
Clerk. 

Byron G. Stark, dem 3300 907 

Leroy C. Driggs, rep 2 93 

Treasurer. 

John C. Valentine, dem 3017 98 

Alexander Ferguson, rep. . . .2919 

Wells W. Parshall 73 

Register of Deeds. 

Frank Lawrence, dem 3140 428 

Fred W, Koch, rep 2712 

Prosecuting Attorney. 
Lorenzo T. Durand, dem ...3215 631 



William H. Sweet, rep . . ..2584 
Lawson C. Holden, gr'nb'k. .2027 

Circuit Court Commissioners. 

Frederick Ann eke, dem 3089 251 

John E . Nolan, dem 3221 383 

Eugene M. Joslin, rep 2744 

John Mc Arthur, rep 2838 

Samuel M. Porter, gr'nb'k.. .1883 
William A. Clark, gr'nb'k. . .1650 
Sheriff. 

James F. Adams, dem 3246 637 

Solomon B. Bliss, rep 1977 

Charles C. Miller, greenback2609 

Surveyor. 

Harrison Gary, dem 3154 347 

Isaac H. Leavenworth, rep. .2807 
James Bean, greenback. .. .1933 

Coroners. 

Benjamin B. Ross, dem 3120 339 

Charles E. Brenner, dem. . . .3092 311 

Sidney I . Small, rep 2781 

Jonathan S. Rouse, rep 2743 

Manasseh Dougherty, gr'nb'k 1946 
Dr. Titus Duncan, gr'nb'k. .199 I 

Daniel H. Cheeney 79 

A. J. Kniffin 79 

ELECTION OF NOV. 2, 1880. 
President. 

James A. Garfield, rep . .5208 

W. S. Hancock, dem 5234 26 

J. B. Weaver, greenback. . . .609 
Governor. 

David H. Jerome, rep 4994 

Frederick M. Holloway, dem. 5506 612 
Representatives to Congress. 

Roswell G. Horr, rep 4829 

Timothy E. Tarsney, dem ... 580 1 972 
State Senator. 

John Welch, rep 5471 461 

William H. P. Benjamin,dem50l0 
David Geddes, greenback . . . 597 
State Rep resi ntatives. 
First District : 

Robert J. Birney, rep 1511 

Jacob Knapp, dem 1695 184 

Elias C. Andre, gr'nb'k 195 

Second District : 

John S. Estabrook, rep 1573 2 

Frank Lawrence, dem 1337 

Daniel Forrest, gr'nb'k 603 

Third District : 
Hawley J. Hopkins, rep. . . .1917 92 

Arthur Ross, dem 1825 

George A. Wallace, gr'nb'k.. 293 
Judge of Probate. 

Otto Roeser, rep 5439 364 

Julius K. Rose, dem 5075 

Thomas W. Newrick, gr'nb'k503 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY, 



337 



C?< rk. 

Fred B. Sweet, rep 5452 404 

Hiram W. Robinson, dem. . 4988 

j'li I). Wilson, gr'nb'k. . 4") s 

tun r. 
Alexander Furguson, rep. . . .5285 48 

John c. Valentine, dem 5237 

John M 180E Q. B 552 

Rirjisd r of Deeds. 

Cbarlee Shaw, rep 5279 

Herman B. Zwerk, dem.... 5475 196 
Benjamin J. Downing, g. b. 95 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

rl Trask, rep 5133 

Lorenzo T. Durand, dem 5430 297 

.Samuel M. Porter, greenba'k 520 

Circuit Court Commissioners. 

Samuel G. Higgin3, rep 5188 

Herman Pistorius, rep 5293 26 

John E. Nolan, dem 5333 40 

Frederick Anneke. dem 5207 

Sheriff. 

Henry Miller, reo 5590 660 

William Reins, dem 4930 

Surveyor. 
Solomon C. Goodale, rep. . . .5325 40 

William Brenner, dem 5185 

Henry Q. Rothwell, gr'nb'k. .593 
( 'orom rs. 

Jonathan S. House, rep 5836 

Sylvester C. J. Ostrom, rep. .5334 
Newton D. Lee. dem 5262 20 



John Scanlan, dem 5201 25 

W illiam T. Arnold, gr'nb'k. 599 
Edward S. Dunbar, gr'nb'k. 5!»5 

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1881. 
Circuit Judge. 

DeWitt C. Gage, rep 4050 

Chauncey H. Gage, dem... 4811 761 

Justices of the Supreme Court. 
Augustus O. Baldwin, dem. .3322 

Isaac Marstnn, rep 4002 680 

John B. Shipman, gr'nb'k. .1151 

Charles G. Hyde, temperance 251 

Regi nts of tJu Un ivt nity. 

James F. Joy, rep 3933 

Austin Blair, rep 3931 

Geo. V.N. Lothrop, dem... 3564 

Henry Fralick, dem 3564 

Charles J. Willette, gr'nb'k. 1117 

David Parsons, gr'nb'k 1117 

Isaac W. McKeene, tem'nce. 234 
Edward C. Newell do. . 234 

Amendments to the Constitution. 
Relativ( to Penal Fines :• 

Yes 1343 

No 248 

Eelitivt to the Clerk of the Supreme 
Court. 

Yes 1883 

No 170 

Relative to Circuit Court : 

Yes 1446 

No 238 



CHAPTER XL 

THE CONQUERORS OF REBELLION. 

As the history of the civil war comes next in importance to that 
of the Revolution, and as it is entwined more closely with the newer 
States and their various districts, it is just that, as the work of 
the writer proceeds, he should pass in review what one new State 
has done for the Union, and make special mention of those gallant 
men who left their homes to join the thousands who appeared upon 
the field in defense of all these precious liberties under which they 
lived, and for the preservation of the most sublime political union 
that ever bound great States together. In April, 1S61, immediately 
after the wire flashed the Presidential call for volunteers, the people 
of Michigan rushed forward to respond. Perhaps, throughout all 
the land, there were no more earnest respondents than the men of 
Saginaw. Organization was earnestly entered upon, and when the 
crisis arrived, few, if any, counties surpassed this northern one in 
celerity of military movement, or in the number and quality of the 
men and officers sent forth to the field. 

In this history of Saginaw in the war for the Union, each regi- 
ment sent forward claims a very full notice. This is due to the 
county, for in each battalion of patriots it had a representation. 
On this account, and also for the purpose of rendering the history 
of the period more familiar, the writer deems it a matter of great 
consequence to deal with the subject as extensively as the plan of 
the work will allow. In the first part of the chapter the military 
history proper is given, and this is succeeded by the personal his- 
tory, in which the names of the soldiers of this county who died 
during the war, and of those who survived to be discharged with 
their honors, are recorded. To the collation of facts much care has 
been given, and if an error should appear, it must be credited to a 
generally accepted theory rather than to a want of attention or 
carelessness in compilation. 

The proclamation of President Lincoln was issued April 15, 1861. 
The day following, that of Gov. Blair, addressed to the people of 
Michigan, was made public, and on the same day the " East Saginaw 
Light Guards" received orders to go into training. The proclama- 
tion of the Governor of Michigan appeared in the local journals of 
the two cities April IS, and four days later one of the greatest 
meetings held to consider the best means of defending the Union 
did honor to the people. On that Monday of the eventful April of 
1861, 3,000 citizens of the Saginaws assembled to devise such 
measures as would correspond with the desires of the general Gov- 

(338) 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 339 

ernment and those of the State. The people massed on Genesee 
street. East Saginaw, and were addressed by J. B. Dillingham, 
from a platform erected in front of the Bancroft House. There was 
little time spent in speculative philosophy, the orator proceeding at 
once to organize the meeting. He nominated Col. L. P. Little for 
chairman; John Moore, Geo. W. Bullock, J. G. Sutherland, C. B. 
.Mutt. W. L. Webber, D. A. Pettibone, B. F. Fisher, J. Quacken- 
bnsh and F. 1 >. Babcock, vice presidents; S. B. Bliss, B. M. Thomp- 
son, W. J. Barton and V. A. Paine, secretaries. 

Col. Little said that "The war, with all its horrors, had begun. 
The oapitol is surrounded with enemies. This is no time for in- 
quiring into the cause; it is sufficient that the stars and stripes are 
lied, and we must meet this condition of things as it behooves 
.ve must furnish our quota of men and means." 

Hon. John Moore said, that having enlisted for the war, he 
would respond to a call made by the meeting. "The war has com- 
menced; the fight has begun, and cursed be he who would not 
defend his country's honor. The time has passed when we shall be 
known as Democrats or Republicans; the man who will stand by 
and say that he will not stand to defend the flag of his country is a 
traitor in his heart. I stand by the Government, no matter by what 
name it may be called. The administration has done all it could 
do; it has sought to avoid that which is now upon us. The traitors 
have, notwithstanding all this, precipitated the country into a civil 
war, and if we must tight, I am in favor of having a big fight, and 
teach a lesson to those traitors. The Saginaw City Guard is pledged 
to go to the defense of the country, and I am informed that the 
company here is ready. We can well risk the honor of Saginaw in 
their hands. While they go, we should provide for their families." 

The speech of Mr. Moore was followed by the reading of a resolu- 
olution, carried unanimously by the members of the Saginaw City 
Guard. 

The offer of H. W. Trowbridge to raise a military company was 
accepted in the following terms: "Whereas, This meeting has re- 
ceived the offer of H. W. Trowbridge, Esq., to raise a company of 
infantry, 60 strong, to defend our country's honor, with emotions 
of pleasure, knowing, as we do, that Mr. Trowbridge is fully capa- 
ble of taking the command of such a company, therefore be it re- 
ed that the Governor be requested to bestow upon Mr. Trow- 
bridge the commission of captain, that he may have fulll power to 
raise such company." 

A letter from the captain of the Saginaw City Guards, addressed 
to Col. Little, was read before the meeting. Its tenor was as 
follow-: 

I desire in this public manner to express my thanks to John Parrish, Esq., for 
the present of a Colt's revovler to be used in defense of my country's flag, and it is 
my determination never to return with dishonor to my home in the Saginaw 
Valley. Henry Miller. 

Captain of Saginaw City Light Infantry. 



3-iO HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The sinking of the "Star-Spangled Banner," with an additional 
stanza by Mr. Warrie, was one of the happiest efforts of a great 
multitude in the musical world. All seemed so imbued with the 
spirit of the time that each one present took a part in the rendition 
of this magnificent national hymn. To the original four verses a 
fifth verse was written for this occasion, as follows: 

And now, though its honor is shrouded in gloom, 
And its stripes with the blood of its brave sons are tarnished. 

Yet the traitors shall meet with a merited doom 
And the flag of our country with victory be garnished. 

'Neath the folds then repair, as they wave to the air, 

And show to the world that its stars are all there, 

And the star-spangled banner shall evermore wave 

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

Rev. A. M. Fitch said he was on the right side of the question ; 
he never read a word or sentence against the Government and there 
is not a single reason why he should not now step forward and 
vindicate the justice of our cause, even at the sacrifice of blood. 
He had heard the tales of the Revolution, and he believed there 
was now the same incentive to action as there was then. The man 
who would not defend the honor of his country should not receive 
the smile of a single woman. The wives and children shall be 
cared for while the soldiers are following their country's battles. 

Dr. H. H. C. Driggs offered his services as surgeon to the troops 
during the war, and a resolution of conditional acceptance was 
passed. B. M. Thompson, Harvey Joslin, Hon. John F. Driggs, 
Benj. F. Fisher, Hiram L. Miller and A. A. Parsons addressed the 
meeting, each dwelling on the responsibility of citizens, their 
duties to the Republic and to human liberty. W. L. AVebber, 
chairman of a committee on resolutions appointed immediately 
after the organization of the meeting, read the following series: 

Whfreas, Our country is now distracted by civil war, which has been com- 
menced by rebels in arms against the Government, and we, the people of Saginaw 
and county, without d stinctionof party, have convened for the purpose of express- 
ing our views in relation to the awful calamity impending over the nation ; there- 
fore, 

Resolved, That political divisions among the people are solely with reference to 
the policy by which the Government should shape its action, and are entirely con- 
sistent with united devotion to the Government itself. 

Resolved, That we regard the doctrine of secession, claimed by certain citizens 
of the United States to exist, as a dangerous heresy, and as being no other or better 
than revolution (rebellion) against the Government. 

Besolved, That in our judgment, ignoring past difference ota political questions, 
it is the duty of every citizen to give his support to the Government of the coun- 
try, with such united firmness and loyalty as to show to the world that we are 
worthy citizens of the "best government the world has ever known." 

Resolved, That we duly appreciate the soldier-like promptness with which the 
various military companies of the Valley have responded to the call of our Gov- 
ernor, and that we hereby pledge our honor as men to sustain the families of 
such as go forth to maintain the flag of our country. 

Resolved, That the Common Council of East Saginaw be requested to appropri- 
ate $2,000 for the support of the families of those of this city who shall volunteer in 
their country's service. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 341 

All these resolutions were carried, and the immense gathering 
dispersed after cheering for the Union, the Constitution, and the 
Star-Spangled Banner. 

The council of the city of East Saginaw, at a meeting held on 
the 24th, decided to leave the matter of appropriating $2,000 
before the people, and ordered the polls to be open on Monday, 
April 29, for that purpose. The vote was a most substantial 
recognition of what was due to the country and the wives and 
families of the volunteers. 

HISTORICAL BRIEFLETS. 

Mayor Mott and "W. F. Glasby set an example which does credit 
to the State. They agreed with the soldiers not to charge them 
interest on money due for city lots, which they purchased, and 
further promised that in case of the death of any volunteer owing 
money on such lots, a full title would be granted to his widow, 
unconditionally, securing her in possession. 

I >n July 2, 1862, the President called for 500,000 men, and the 
War Department assigned 11,686 as the quota of Michigan. This 
was followed by an order from the State Department for the 
organization of the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22d and 23d regiments, 
the latter under Col. D. H. Jerome, to be organized at East Saginaw. 

Addison Brewer, Commissioner, Hiram C. Driggs, Surgeon, 
were commissioned officers for carrying the draft into effect. 

H. C. Farrand, of East Saginaw, was among the volunteer sur- 
geons of the State. 

Among the military officers of the State during the war were 
David II. Jerome, aid-de-camp on the staff of the Governor, and 
member of the State Military Board, with DeWitt C. Cage, Judge 
Advocate. 

.1 uly 29, 1864, Hon. John F. Driggs was appointed to take charge 
of the organization of the 31st Michigan Infantry. This was the 
rirst of the new regiments to leave the State. Striking camp at 
naw Oct. 6, 1S64, it left the same day for Nashville, Tenn. 

I. S. Estabrook, of the military election commissioners, took the 
vote of the 1st and 16th Michigan regiments, in October, 1864, 
then serving with the Army of the Potomac. 

The aggregate expenditures of the county for war purposes, up to 
and including the year 1866, was $158,099.59. The various sums 
of money granted by the county to th^ families of the volunteers, 
aggregated *81,000. The donations of money, clothing, etc., etc., 
amounted to about $7,000. The direct expenditures amounted to 
*_'K">.099.59, a great sum of money, when the condition of the 
country at that time is considered. 



342 



HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



THE EAST SAGINAW LIGHT GUARD 



John Leidliu. 

Michael Bayer. 
Berhard Bier. 
John Nerretor. 
Joseph Haag. 
David Schroeigerte. 
Jacob Schroth. 
John Bush. 
Urban Reichel. 
Donat Fettig. 
Chris. Schlatterrer. 
Fritz Techethin. 
Anton Schmitz. 
Fred Boger. 
Geo. H. Stoltz. 
John Frost. 
Chris. Hendrichs. 
Fritz Lange. 
John Eanklaz. 
Fritz Fischer. 
Joseph Lense. 
Goffprind Denhly. 
Fritz Oland. 
John Witz. 
Martin Kremer. 
Gustave Werschky. 
James A. Scott. 



Wm, Eshenbury. 
August Kremer. 
'I eodor Bencke. 
John Strank. 
Valentine Herb irt. 
Fried Genther. 
Herman Krause. 
John Dobson. 
Thomas Dramble. 
Frank Otto. 
James H. Robertson. 
Henry Howe. 
Gilbert Norton. 
John Ryan. 
John Ch. Freyler 
Francis Moore. 
James Leonard. 
Wm. Lange. 
Geo. B. Richardson. 
Richard Luster. 
Charles Peters. 
Leonhard Holzinger. 
Charles Hiegel. 
Philip Hairg. 



perfected its organization April 19, 1861, under Capt. William 
Kremer, with First and Second Lieutenants — Emil Moores and 
The volunteers comprised the following citizens: 

Emil Flatan. 

Charles Gonnia. 

Hugh Mills. 

Jacob Kremer. 

George Baur. 

Gustave Reigle. 

Christoph Rietz. 

John Rutz. 

F. C. Brennett. 

Geo. Wheeler. 

Albert Hibbert. 

William Phillips. 

John Hittermeir. 

John Schmidt. 

Martin Reihl. 

Alins Sailor. 

Franz Kleinfield. 

Frank Schmelzer. 

Michael Rapp. 

Fred. Schulz. 

Henrich Heinlein. 

John Ode. 

Henry Heldebrand. 

Charles Lechantin. 

Nicolaus Therry. 

Louis Kurzmann. 

The troops forming the command of Capt. Kremer Jeft Saginaw 
en route for Detroit April 30, 1861, and arrived there on the eve- 
ning of May 1. The departure of the new warriors of the Sagi- 
naw was made the occasion of tendering to them that peculiarly 
beautiful good-by which ever dwells in the memory of a soldier. 
The journalist? of the city were present at this grand farewell 
meeting, and did not fail to describe it minutely. 

At 8 a. m., the company having parted from many ot their 
friends at their armory, marched down Genesee street in fine order 
to the Bancroft House, where they were drawn up in two lines, 
and after a neat and appropriate speech from Mayor Mott, the 
ladies presented each with a Union cockade, as a token of their 
appreciation of the gallantry they manifested in so promptly re- 
sponding to the call of the Government. The ceremonies were con- 
tinued by cheers for the ladies, the Guards and the citizens and others. 
A sword was presented to Capt. Kremer by his respected fellow- 
citizen, Capt. John Erd, with appropriate remarks, after which, 
under escort of Osmond's Cornet Band, the Buena Vista Guards 
and the East Saginaw Light Artillery, the company proceeded to 
the depot of the Flint & Pere Marquette railway, where the train, 
which had been generously tendered by Superintendent Potter to 
convey the troops to Pine Run, was in waiting. At the cars a re- 
volver, the gift of J. H. Mershon, was presented to Lieut. Emil 
Moores, by Col. W. L. P. Little, who made some fitting remarks, 



HISTOBY OF SAGINAW nH'N'TV. 343 

t<» which Lieut. Moores responded with feeling; cheers were given 
for the Mayor, Mr. Mershon, the Guards, the citizens, the Union, 
and everybody, when, after sonic affecting parting scenes between 
the soldiers and their relatives and friends, the locomotive, be- 
decked with a handsome display of American ensigns, was hitched 
on. and the train moved off to the tune of the "Red, White and Blue" 
amid the loud and enthusiastic cheers of the thousands assembled, 
the waving of handkerchiefs, hats and star-spangled banners 
innumerable. 

All along the line of the railway, at Bridgeport Center, Birch 
Run, Smith's Mill, and at every little crossing, people were congre- 
gated in squads of from five to fifty, and cheering, waving of band- 
kerchiefs, etc.. was the order of the day. At Pine Run, where the 
cars connect with the plank road, a very fine demonstration was 
made, — a beautiful ensign suspended over the street under which 
the company marched, and the booming of cannon mingled with 
the tumultuous shouts and cheers of the enthusiastic populace. 
The liberal citizens and farmers in the vicinity had furnished teams 
and gratuitously transported the company over the plank to Flint. 

Arrived within about three-fourths of a mile of Flint, the band 
and military left the wagons, and, forming in order, marched in. 
At the outskirts of the city they were met by Marshal Fenton, 
who escorted them to the Genesee House, where they were received 
by the Mayor, who, in a few well-timed remarks, tendered them the 
hospitalities of the city; the marching was then continued up the 
Main Btreet as far as the town hall, and then back to the armory of 
the Flint Union Grays, who had just departed for Detroit, when 
the order to break ranks was given, and all made their way under 
escort to the several quarters which had been assigned them. In 
the afternoon and evening the band serenaded the two newspaper 
establishments and many of the citizens, being most hospitably 
received on all hand-. 

Wednesday morning at half-past eight the Guards were formed 
in order in front of the armory, and marched to martial music 
through the principal streets, after which they embarked in vehicles 
provided by the citizens of Flint — the band again taking the lead — 
for Fentonville, under escort of Judge Ames and many of the 
prominent citizens of Flint. 

At the toll-gate one mile this side of Fentonville the procession 
was met by a marshal from Fentonville, and having again left the 
teams and formed in marching order, were escorted to the station 
boose of the D. & M. railway, where the ladies of Fentonville had 

f>repared a capital collation, which being slightly devastated by the 
ningry crowd, and a toast, three cheers and a " tiger " tendered to 
the ladies for their munificent hospitality, the line of march was 
resumed, and under escort of Turner's Cornet Band of that city — a 
highly creditable musical corps — they paraded the principal streets, 
returning to the depot in time for the down train, which arrived 
at a little after 3 p. m.. and was soon off for the City of the Straits. 



344 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

People were gathered at many of the stations along the line, and 
at Pontiac an immense crowd had assembled, who received the 
company with hearty and enthusiastic cheers, which were returned 
with interest, accompanied by an instalment of inspiring music by 
the band. 

Arriving in Detroit at 6 p. m., the company was formed on the 
depot grounds of the D. & M. railway, and, preceded by the band 
marched to Cantonment Blair, a distance of between two and three 
miles, where the soldiers were provided with rather scaly quarters, 
The band, leg-weary and pretty much used up generally, returned 
to the Michigan Exchange, where they were comfortably housed. 

Mayor Mott joined the command at Flint, and proceeded with it 
to the rendezvous at Detroit, when, after a farewell word to each 
of the volunteers, he returned to his home. 

Shortly after the East Saginaw Guards left for the rendezvous, 
no less than 37 volunteers returned to their native heath; 
some changes were made in the list of officers, and other disposi- 
tions made to insure confidence among the troops. Captain W. L. 
Whipple, who in 1846 served as a lieutenant in the Mexican cam- 
paign, was placed in command, and the company left eti route for 
Washington^ Co. II of the 2d Mich. Inf. (3 years), June 5, 1861. 
This was the first three-years regiment which left the State. Cap- 
tain Whipple was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of 21st 
Mich. Inf., Aug. 13, 1862. 

Lieutenant R. W. Ransom, who opened a recruiting office at 
East Saginaw, in the building formerly occupied as the old post- 
office, enlisted 6Q men prior to July 20, who reported for service 
at Detroit before the 25th of that month. 

THE HOYT LIGHT GUARDS 

perfected the organization of a full company April 24, under 
Capt. H. W. Trowbridge. The officers elected were: Captain, H. 
W. Trowbridge; First Lieutenant, Wm. O'Donnell; Second Lieu- 
tenant, Charles H. Hutchins; First Sergeant, Daniel Jeffers; Sec- 
ond Sergeant, Hiram Jenkins; Third Sergeant, Thomas Abbott; 
Fourth Sergeant, Dexter D. Keeler. The corporals were Peter 
Mashioe, Chester E. Roy, Wm. Mooney, and Henry Connor. The 
musicians were John Ryan and John Stout Park. No doubt what- 
ever can exist regarding the desire of this command to go to the front 
in the early days of the war. The orders of the War Department, 
and the fact that all Michigan had already done its duty, conspired 
to check the zeal of the troops and urge them to keep their powder 
dry for the " big fight." 

The three-months regiment was under arms April 25, 1861, and 
was constituted as follows: Orlando B. 'Wilcox, Colonel; L. L. 
Comstock, Lieutenant Colonel; A. B. Bidwell, Major. Companies 
— Detroit Light Guards, Jackson Light Guards, Coldwater Cadets, 
Manchester Union Guards, Steuben Guards, Detroit Hussars, Burr 



BISTOBY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 347 

( >ak Guards, Ypsilanti Light Guards, Marshall Light Guards, Har- 
dee Cadets. 

Tin* second regiment comprised the Scott Guards. Adrian Guards, 
Hudson Artillery as infantry, Flint Union Greys, Battle Creek 
Artillery as infantry, Constantino Union Guards, Kalamazoo Light 
Guards, Kalamazoo No. 2, Ndles Company. A. S. Williams, or' 
Detroit, was the General of Brigade. 

MILITARY RESOURCES OF THE COUNTY IN 1862. 

A military census of the county was made under authority of t 
Gov. Blair's proclamation of August, 1862. The assessors were 
required to return the names of all white males between the a^es of 
1^ ami 45. The number of men enrolled in Saginaw, and named 
in the lists furnished by those assessors, Sept. 10, 1862, was 2,951, 
of whom 821 were declared exempt from draft, leaving 2,130 
Bubject. In June, 1862, it is learned, from returns made under the 
law, that the total number of men in Saginaw county tit for 
military service was 2,497. It must be remembered, however, that 
between the time the June returns were made and September, no 
less than 686 men from Saginaw county enlisted and were in active 
service. Of this number, 28 were on duty with the 1st Inf.; 39 with 
the 2d Inf.; 72 with the 5th Inf.; 12 with the 7th and 8th Inf.; 38 
with the 9th and 10th Inf.; 92 with the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 
15th regiments; 102 with the 16th Inf.; 8 with the 17th, 15S with 
the 23d Inf.; 9 with the Engineers and Mechanics; 100 with the 2d 
and 3d Cavalry; 14 with the 4th, 5th and 6th Cavalry; 3 with the 
2d Battery; one with Mathers' Sharpshooters, and 10 with the Mulli- 
gan brigade, attached to McDermott's Michigan Company. The 23d 
Michigan Inf., mustered into service at East Saginaw, Sept. 13, 
L862, was principally composed of soldiers furnished by this county. 
The 29th, mustered in at Saginaw City, Oct. 3, 1864, was filled by 
volunteers from this Congressional district. 

RECRUITING IN 1863. 

I hiring the year 1863, SagiDaw contributed 365 troops, which, 
rher with those who went into service in 1862, aggregate 1,041 
soldiers furnished to the Union armies since the beginning of the 
war. During the year, only five men from this county volunteered 
for service in the first 26 infantry regiments. The 27th 
Infantry received 50; the 1st Sharpshooters, 18; Engineers, 1; the 
three first cavalry regiments, 26; the 4th Cavalry, 39; the 5th and 
6th Cavalry, 14; "the 7th Cavalry, 138; the 8th, 42; the 11th, 23, 
and the Artillery, 9. The draft made in February, 1863, numbered 
only 19 men in Saginaw county, of which four were delivered at 
barracks. 

21 



318 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

MILITARY ORGANIZATION IN 1864. 

The enlistment of troops continued through 1864. From Jan. 1 
to Oct. 31 no less than 821 men were enlisted. Forty-three who 
volunteered immediately, prior to Jan. 1, that year, bring np the 
credits of the county for the first ten months of 1864 to 864, aggre- 
gating 1,905 troops since the beginning of the war. Of the 821 
troops referred to, 634 volunteered, 26 were drafted, 153 were re- 
enlisted veterans, and 8 entered the navy. Again, 40 enlisted for 
one year, and 781 for three years' service. From Sept. 19, 1863, 
to Oct. 1, 1864, 396 men enlisted for one year, 613 for three years, 
756 enlisted in the army, 153 veterans re-enlisted, 8 entered the 
navy, 75 drafted men commuted, and 28 were drafted. The 29th 
Mich. Inf. was mustered into service at Saginaw, Oct. 3, 1864. 

The proclamation of the President, calling for 300,000 volun- 
teers, was issued Dec. 19, 1864. The quota assigned to Saginaw 
under the call was 130, while the enrollment was so high as 2,160. 

THE CLOSE OF THE DRAMA. 

The number of Saginaw volunteers who went into the Union 
army from Nov. 1, 1864, to the period when recruiting ceased, 
April 14, 1865, was 134, of whom 115 volunteered and 19 responded 
to the draft. These figures show an aggregate representation 
of Saginaw soldiers in the Union army of 1,154 men, all en- 
listing between Sept. 19, 1863, to April 14, 1865, which number, 
with 885 enlistments credited the county previous to Sept., 1863, 
show a grand military representation of 2,039 men, or about one- 
forty-fourth of all the troops furnished by the State of Michigan 
from April 17, 1861, to April 14, 1865. 'Throughout the brilliant 
campaigns which marked the progress of the terrific struggle there 
is scarcely a black letter in the record of the troops furnished by 
this county. Few desertions, unexcelled bravery, and magnificent 
endurance marked their service throughout. 

A review of the military affairs in which these troops partici- 
pated, and in which so many of them won the soldier's crown, 
would necessarily take in every field, whether contested in Vir- 
ginia, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, 
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Missouri. 

Following down the regimental rosters, from those of the first 
engineers and mechanics to the most recently organized military 
company, one is forcibly reminded not only of the enduring quali- 
ty of the Union soldier, but also of that terrible sacrifice which he 
was willing to make in defense of the Union. 

All the sacrifices made, all the dangers passed through, were not 
in vain. The country survives its great losses in that war, and 
though her sons who fell in defense of the Union cannot be re- 
stored to this world, the memory of them lives on, and will forever 
live, to inspire the present with a full sense of all that liberty is 



BIBTOBY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 349 

worth, and teach the future to guard it as nobly and as faithfully 
a- they did. 

THE FIRST INFANTRY 

(three years) completed its organization Sept. 16, 1861, showing a 

roster of 960 men, subsequently raised to 977 by the addition of 
recruits. During the winter of 1861-'62 the regiment was on duty 
at Annapolis Junction. In March it advanced into the Peninsula. 
was present at Mechanicsville June 2*!, at Gaines' Mills June 27, 
at Malvern Hill -July 1, at Gainesville Aug. 29, at Bull Run Aug. 
30, at Antietam Sept. 17, at Shepherdstown Ford Sept. 20, and at 

ericksburg during the fight of Dec. 13 and 14, 1862. The reg- 
iment sustained a loss of 306 men during the } T ear, together with 
the loss of 45 taken prisoners, so that in the reports of Nov. 30, 
1862, the entire strength of the command was only 5'.'2 men. 

April 27, 1863, the regiment marched on Chancellorsville. 
During the fighting in that vicinity it lost 3 killed and 17 wounded. 
Morrisville, Brandy Station, Aldie, Gettysburg, Manasses Gap, 
Rappahannock Station, and Mine Run, bear witness to its unex- 
celled bravery. During the year 46 died and 107 were wounded. 

In March, ls64, the regiment returned to Detroit, but left for the 
front again April 10, and arrived at Beverly Ford on the 18th. It 
was the inauguration of the campaign of 1S64, having crossed the 
Rapidan May 4, and engaged the enemy on the 5th. During the 
succeeding S days it lost 23 men killed. With the army of the 

imac it was present at Spottsylvania, Jericho Mills, and Cold 
Harbor during May. In June and August it served before Peters- 
bur--. In September it participated in the fighting around Poplar 

. e Church. The regiment was on duty along the Weldon rail- 
road until Feb. 5. 1865, when it moved on Hatcher's Run, and par- 
ticipated in the action of Feb. 6 there. From April 1 to April 9 
the command was engaged along the White Oak road, at Amelia 
Court-House and High Bridge on 5th and 6th, and at the Appo- 
mattox Court-House on the 9th. It did duty at City Point until 
May L6. The regiment returned to Jackson, Mich., for discharge, 

July 12. L865. 

r*. — Benjamin F. Keating, Saginaw, Sergeant Co. F, July 15, 1861; 2nd 
Lieut., Oct. 1, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., Nov. 1. 1864 ; was discharged for disability Feb. 23, 

Churl.- s. Leetch, Saginaw, Isl Lieut.. Nov. 30, 1801; resigned Sept. 11. 1862. 
Francis McCullough, East Saginaw . Sergeant Co. F, July 16, 1861; 2nd Lieut., 
Julv 7. 1865; was discharged July '■>. 1865. 

lin A. Pratt, 8aginaw, Sergeanl Co. K, July 15, 1861: 1st Lieut.. May 30, 
I apt., July 15, L865; was mustered out July 9, 1865. 
Killed. Thomas Corris, at Gaines Mills, June 27, 1862; John McCoy, at Mai- 
Bill, -Lily 1. 1862; Geo. Rowell, at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862; Edward E. Hart, 
at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; ( uarles H. Stehman, at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 
1862; Austin Whitman, at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 
Died of Diseate. — Hiram Purchase, at Harrison's Landing, Aug. 16, 1862. 
Mustered Out.— 1862— Johnsou Henry B., Smith W. H. 1863— Crane Perry, 
Feize Henry, Fisher Geo., Harden < '. ft., Keating B. F., Penny Th o., Smith Geo., 
Thurgood Eben, 1864— Hoi tzinger Leonard, McCullough Francis, Xoblock John, 
Pratl Bosea A., Pratt Rollin A. 1865— Lewis Daniel, McMurphy Win. 



350 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

THE SECOND INFANTRY. 

The first Michigan regiment to offer its services for three years 
left Detroit for the field Jane 5, 1861. Previous to its first service, 
which was given at Blackburn's Ford, Ya., July IS, 1861. it mus- 
tered 1,115 men. Under Gen. McClellan it participated in the 
affairs of Yorktown April -1, Williamsburg May 5, Fair Oaks 
May 27, Charles City Cross Roads June 30, Malvern Hill July 1, 
and at Chantilly Sept. 1. In the military report rendered November, 
1862, it is stated that the strength of the command was reduced to 
642 men. At Williamsburg those placed hors de combat num- 
bered 17 killed, 38 wounded and 4 missing; at Fair Oaks 10 were 
killed and 47 wounded. 

The movements of the regiment during the first months of 1863 
were varied. On July 10 it arrived before Jackson, where it lost 
12 killed, 36 wounded and 8 prisoners. It took a part in many 
minor transactions, and traveled 2,100 miles during the year. At 
Knoxville it aided in the defense until the retirement of the rebels, 
Dec. 4, 1863. 

The regiment returned to Detroit Feb. 24, 1864, and received a 
furlough of 30 days. Leaving Mt. Clemens April 4, it moved to 
Annapolis, and thence to East Tennessee. It shared in the honors 
of the Potomac army of that year; losing 100 men in the field, 257 
wounded, 23 died of disease, and 85 prisoners. The principal 
service of the command during 1S65 was rendered at Petersburg. 
It returned to Detroit Aug. 1, 1865, and was discharged soon 
after. 

Officers. — John Ludlin, Saginaw, commissioned 2nd Lieut., April 25, 1861; 1st 
Lieut., Dec. 1, 1861 ; resigned Sept. 17, 1862. 

Martin Ruehle, East Saginaw, Sergeant Co. H, May 25, 1861; 2nd Lieut., July 
22, 1865; was wounded, and absent at muster out of the command . 

John C. Schentz, Saginaw, Sergeant Co. II; 2nd Lieut., Dec. 4, 1861; 1st Lieut., 
Feb. 7, 1862; Lieut. Battery K., 1st L. A., Nov. 21, 1862; Capt., Feb, 21, 1863; 
Major 1st L. A., April 11, 1865; was mustered out July 29, 1865. 

Killed or Died of Wounds.— Hugh Mills, at Williamsburg, May 3, 1S62; Geo. B, 
Richardson, at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862; Albert Hebbert, at Jackson, Miss., July 
11, 1863: Wm. Blomburg, at Campbell's Station, Nov. 21, 1863; Edward Cutler, at 
Campbell's Station, Nov. 25, 1863; Charles Schweiker, near Petersburg, June 17 
1864. 

Wounded.- -James H. Robertson, Oct. 23, 1862: John Dobson, Nov. 1, 1862. 

Died of Disease. — Ebenezer Paine, at David's Island, Sept. 2,7 1862. 

Missing in Action. — Leonard Wishlein, at Petersburg, July 30, 1864; W. C. 
Hall, at Petersburg, July 30. 1864; Wm. English, at Petersburg, July 30, 1864; La 
Rue P. North, at Knoxville. Nov. 24, 1863; Lucien Hunt, Petersburg, Nov. 21, 
1863; Michael Sink, Petersbutg, Nov. 24, 1863. These were all regained in 1865. 

Discharged.— 1862— Frost John. 1863— Gibson Henry. 1864— Barker H. M., 
Brennert F., Carter Michael, Contre G. W., Fischer George, Henricks Grates, Her- 
bert, Val., Kraemer Aug., Lemmon Wm., Loomis St. Clair, Massey G. F., McCoy, 
Abel C. McGee G. F. , McMann Thomas, Norton Albert, Ohda J., Ohland F., 
Peterson Thomas, Reihle Martin. Roe F., Ruytz J., Schweigert, D. Terry Nicholas, 
Thomson W. H., Wheatley John, White John, Willis Geo., Wood James. 

THE FIFTH INFANTRY 

left Detroit for the front Sept. 11, 1S61. Entering into the 
Virginia Peninsular campaign in March, 1S62, it participated in 



HISTORl 01 wi.I.NAW COUNTY. 351 

the terrific battles of the year. It mustered in with 9S3 men and 
reporte 1 a lo9S of 426 before November, 1862. At Fredericksburg 
I> ■. !;'.. Lt. Col. John Gillooly and H) men wtre killed and 73 
wounded. Between January and May. 1^03, the command lost 17 
killed. 1:'. wounded and 31 prisoners. Lt. Col. Edward T. Sher- 
lock was .-lain at Chancellorsville May 3. The battle of Gettysburg 
was entered by the command at 4 p. m. July 2, and within one 
hour it lost 105 men, 19 of whom were killed, 90 wounded and five 
missing during the terrific struggle. The losses of the regiment 
for 1863 were 70 dead, 107 wounded and 42 prisoners. 

It is unnecessary here to follow up the brilliant history of the 
Inf. through the campaign of 1864. The following reference 
to it- Bervice and losses will be sufficient: At Kelly's Ford, 1 
wounded; Locust Grove, 1 killed, 15 wounded, 2 missing — total, 
L8; Mine Bun, 3 wounded; Wilderness, 38 killed, 107 wounded, 
L6 missing— -total, 221; Spottsylvania Court House. 6 killed, 00 
wounded, 9 missing — total, 75: North Anna river, 1 killed, 9 
wounded, 1 missing— total. 11; Tolopotamy creek, 2 killed, 4 
wounded, 11 missing — total, 17; before Petersburg, 15 killed, 52 
wounded, 19 missing — total, 86; Deep Bottom, 12 wounded; 
Boydton Plank Road, 9 killed, 52 wounded, 43 missing. The losses 
for the year were 103 killed, 17 died ol disease, 375 wounded, and 
ken prisoners. The regiment was discharged at Detroit July 

17. 1865. 

Officers — Alexander Albert] was commissioned 1st Lieut., June 19, 1861: pro- 
moted to a Captaincy, July 12, 1862, and discharged Jul}- 9, 1864. 

James Colville, Easl Saginaw, mustered into service Aug. 28, 1861, as Sergeant, 
. promoted 2d Lieut., Sept. 16 1863; Capt., .Ian. 1,1863; missed in action 
June 22, 1864; gained to tin- command. April '20. 1865, and died of disease at Fort 
Hamilton, N. V.. April 27, 1865. 

Andrew Hanlin. Saginaw City, entered service Aug. 28, 1861, as Sergeant Co. 
K: commissioned 2d Lieut., Sept. 17, 1862 ; wounded at Chancellorsville. Va.. 
.May :;. 18 i3; promoted 1st. Lieut.. .lime 26, I860, arid mustered out Oct. 3, 1804. 

Henry Miller. Saginaw, commissioned Captain, June 19, 1861; was discharged 
Feb. 18, L863. 

Willi hi O'Donnell, Saginaw, commissioned 1st Lieut.. June 19, 1861; resigned 
Jan. 30, 1862, to accept a position on the staff of Gen. J. H. Lane; promoted 
Maior,26th Inf.. Oct 30, 1862, and died at Portsmouth, Va., May 14, 1863. 

Hugo Wessener. Saginaw, commissioned 2d Lieut., June 19, 1861; resigned 
April 16, 1862, 

Killed. — Lewis Broad, at Williamsburg, May 7. 1862; John Cleveland, at Fred- 

ericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; Franklin Doolittle, al Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; 

Obed Hancock, at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; Channery Burton, Albert Gil- 

Uexis Guenat, Fred. Kocbler, Geo. Langweller, Peter Maerz, John Muhlle- 

1 aspar Stein, Benjamin Widman, on various fields from May 31, to Dec. 

18, 1862; Reuben Howe, at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; George Lawrence, at Get- 
tysburg, July 2, 

Died of Disease. Michael Beyerleine, 1862; Edward Bigelowe, 1862; Peter 
Christie, 1862; Ben Bird, 1864; Fred Cransnick, 1863; Barney C. Green, at 
Andersonville, Aug. 16, 1864 

Discharged, 1862.— Beers David A. Cameron Alexander, Cameron John, 
Conroy Franklin, Dennis James, Harold Mathias, Harrington Ben. Jones 
. I).. Kronkrighl Geo., Laubenheimer Lied.. Lester Charles, Seeger 
Wm., Wrighl Jane-. 1863— Alger Peter E., Barber John, Becker Charles, 
Bell Geo. W., Budde Wm., Conlin Martin, Frazer Charles, Hadstate Rielly, 
Herbel F. It.. Hewitt Henry. Johnson Gideon, Maerz John. Schwab 
Frank, Sparrow Louis, Strove Christian. Frellman II.. Green B. (.'.. Klendi 



352 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

F., Lindner H., Schmitter F., Schultz Geo., Wolf J.N. 1865— Curry Came- 
ron, Gregory Win., Haney John, Lubenthal Wrn., Reins Wm., Saultor John 
C, Tbeick Rudolph. 

THE EIGHTH INFANTRY, 

comprising 915 officers and men, left Detroit Sept. 27, 1861, for the 
front. Leaving Annapolis Oct. 19, it participated in the expe- 
dition into South Carolina, under Sherman, and in the nine im- 
portant engagements which marked the progress of Sherman, dar- 
ing the twelvemonths succeeding its organization, 89 were killed 
in battle, 55 died of disease, 243 wounded, and 48 made prisoners. 

The regiment lost, during the year 1863, 50 dead and one 
wounded. It served, since leaving Michigan, in six States, and 
traversed 5,000 miles. 

The 8th acted well its part during the campaign of 1804. Its 
service with the army of the Potomac resulted in 86 men killed; 
40 died of disease, 28 were wounded and 37 made prisoners. 

On March 25, 1865, it participated in repulsing the 
enemy in his assault on Fort Steadman, and April 2 
was engaged in the attack on his position at Fort Mahon, when 
it assisted in carrying the works at that point, and is reported to 
have been the first regiment to place its colors on that rebel 
stronghold. On the 3d it inarched into Petersburg, and on the 5th 
was detailed to guard the South Side railroad, where it continued 
until the 20th, when it marched to City Point, and on the 21st 
took transports for Alexandria, where it arrived on the 23d, and 
moved to Tanallytown on the 26th. Mustered out at Washington 
July 30th, it left en route for Detroit, where it was discharged Aug. 
3, 1865. 

Officers. — JohnR. Dougherty, of Shiawassee, entered service Aug. 11. 1862, as 
Sergeant Co. B, was promoted 1st Lieut., April 25, 1865, and mustered out July 30, 
1865. 

Died of disease. — Lewis Arnold, at Milldale, Miss., July 22, 1863. 

Discharged, 1862.— Allen Charles D., Leland Win., Sutherland Wm. D., Walsh 
Harvey B., Whittalser Thomas. 1863. — Cartwright S. S. E., Savage Abram, Wil- 
liams Eben. 1865. — Brown Geo., Crauipton Alonzo, Loomis Harvey, Munger M 
Hunger Beth. 

THE TENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered in at Flint, and left for St. Louis, Mo., April 22, 
1862, with 997 men and officers forming the command. During 
the year it served in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. The 
service of the Tenth during 1863 was signally brilliant and useful; 
a portion of it seemed to be everywhere, and present at a time to 
save valuable lives and property from the hands of the rebels; 55 
men died during the year, one was shot for desertion, and 11 were 
wounded. 

This regiment inaugurated the campaign for 1864 at Buzzard's 
Eoost, Ga., Feb. 25, 1864, where it lost 13 killed and 36 wounded. 
It was furloughed in March for 30 days; at the expiration of which 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 353 

time it returned to the post of duty, and entered on its campaign 
in Georgia. During the year il lost 59 killed; 27 died of disease 
and 113 were wounaed, among whom was Lt. Col. Dickenson. 

During the latter months of I s *'-}- and the spring of 1865 the 
regiment was engaged at Florence, Ala.. Louisville andSavannah, 
A.verysboro, Smithfield Roads, and Bentonville, North Caro- 
lina. It \va> present at Washington in the ranks of Sherman's 
army May 24; moved to Louisville, Ivy., in June, and reported at 
Jackson, Mich., for discharge, July 22, 1865. 

Almon D. Ellis, mustered into service as Sergeant Co. B, was promoted 
3d Lieut., June 23, 1862, and resigned March 2, 1863. 

Erastus B. Paxton, Saginaw, Sergeant Major, Sept. 16 1861, 1st Lieutenant, Nov. 
16, 1864; (apt.. May 20, 1865 ; mustered out July 19, 1805. 

Charles II. Richman, Saginaw, commissioned Captain Oct. 1, 1861, was must end 
out Feb. 6, 1865. 

Killed — Peter E. White, Aug. 6, 1862 ; Wm. Dennis, at Vining's Station, July 
81, 1864; Btephen B. Munger, at Atlanta Sept. 10, 1864 

Diedofdiat we. — Horatio Geary, near Parmington, June 13, 1862; John Mason, 
near Farmington, July 30, 1862; Wm. Mirier, at Flint, Nov. 8, 1S61. 

Discharged. — 1862 — Frost Benj.,LeRoy Homer, Lexey Geo., Sparks John, Staples 
James L., Stickney Ins. 1865 — Andrews Sam B., Benjamin D. W., Blanchard 
Willis A., Bra ley Hiram, Brown Wm., Brown W. X.. Byron Rob., Dates John, 
Green Nat., Grilley Edgar E., Helner Henry, Horner T., Hough E., Hough R B., 
Kilsey Theo. V. 1865— McMillan Neil, Pierce H. F., Pierce Phinneas J., Roedal 
Snaye Leon. Sowles J. D., Stewart W. A., Truax Charles, Van Patten Henry, 
Walker W. B., Woodard Myron C. 

THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY 

left Ypsilanti April 17, 1862, for Pittsburg Landing, with a force 
of 925 rank and tile. During the first ten months it participated 
in many minor military affairs. Jan. 3, 1863, it participated in 
the battle of Stone River, having marched through rain and mud 
from Nashville, 30 miles, the previous night. It was stationed at 
Franklin, Tenn., from the < s th to the 14th of March, relieving the 
cavalry forces there. With its division it moved to Brentwood 
April 8, and held the line between Nashville and Franklin. Re- 
turning to it- old camp at Nashville July 3, it was ordered to 
relieve the force at Franklin. Sept. 6, the regiment was ordered to 
he mounted, and eight companies were sent to Columbia, provided 
with Spencer rifles, revolvers and a complete outfit of cavalry 
equipments, together with a section of light artillery. Since it 
has been mounted, this regiment has captured 12 rebel officers, 
l' v .~. enlisted men and 85 guerrillas — among the latter some of the 
most Dotorious in that section. The regiment, Nov. 1. was engaged 
in holding Franklin, Smith Station and Columbia, and the line of 
railway between those points. The number of deaths reported, 
during the year 1st;:;. \ V;l - 47. 

The regiment re-enlisted as veteran- Jan. 4. 1864, and received 
a furlough of 30 days. It was again present in the field. May 21, 
and I-'! day- later was attached to the army of General Sherman. 
It took a brilliant part in all the action of the Georgia campaign, 
losing 14 killed and 21 who died of disease. In the winter of 
L864 '65, the regiment rendered splendid service in North Care- 



351 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

lina. July 18, 1865, it reported at Jackson, and was disbanded 
on the 29th of that month. 

Officers. Morgan L. Gage, East Saginaw, was commissioned Captain Nov. 18 
1861, and resigned July 9, 1862. 

John C. Lind, East Saginaw, 2nd Lieut., Nov. 18, 1861 ; Captain, July 9, 1862; 
was discharged, and died at home, Aug. 8, 180:'. 

Joseph Schefniker, Saginaw, 1st Lieut, Nov. 18, 1801, resigned Nov. 16, 1862. 

Geo. W. C. Smith, Saginaw, Sergeant Co. A. Nov. 28, 1861"; 2d Lieut. Aug. 5, 
L864; First Lieut, and Adjutant, March 14, 1865; Captain, July 7, 1865; was mus- 
tered out as Adjutant July 18, 1865. 

Abram C. Spears, Saginaw, Sergeant, Co. A, Oct. 11, 1801; 2d Lieut., July 9, 
1862; 1st Lieut., March 9, 1863 ; wounded at Chattahoochee river, July 5, 1864, 
and discharged on account of disability, Oct. 25, 1864. 

Killed. Patrick Meagher, at Columbia, Ga., Jan. 20, 1864; Fred. Bower, at 
Kenesaw Mb, June 22, 1864; Geo. Shancel Kenesaw Mt„ July 5, 1864. 

Died of Diseasi or Wounds. Wm. Wells, at St. Louis, May, 1862; John S. 
Parkes, at Jefferson; June 1, 1862; John Trowbridge, at Farmington, June 26, 
1862; James Nisbitt, at Big Springs, July 3, 1862; Jeremiah Sullivan, at Farm- 
ington, July 17, 1802; G. W. Dunne, 'at Farmington, Aug. 6, 1862; Gilbert 
Mcd>y, at Tuscumbia. Aug. 12,1862: Henry S. Fuller, at Jackson, Miss., Sept. 
16, 1862: John O'Donnell, at Lavergne, Oct. 7, 1862; Henry Wagner, at Nash- 
ville, April 14, 1863; Wm Cate, at Jefferson Barracks, April 30, 1863; Napoleon 
Rooney, at Detroit, Apr. 28, 1864; Adam Held, at Atlanta, Oct. 17, 1^04; Ransom 
Randall, at Savannah, Dec. 19, 1864; F. Schmellzer, at Savannah, June 12, 1865. 

Discharged. 1862— Crandall Wm. M., Elliott Geo. W., Luther Columbus S., 
McCarthy William, Robbins James. 1863— Davison Oliver, Fisher T. L., 
Looney Edward, Mann Geo. W., Slider John D., Thompson Daniel, Van Flint 
T. A. 1864— Bochbam John, Clark Adam C, Daniels L. S., Deizell Geo., Dow 
John, Eshenburg Wm., Gavin Edward, Hard Anthony O., Heller Emil, Kins- 
ley Charles, Hutton Geo., McGee R, McLenithan B. F., Miller Perry, Raibald 
Peter, Records CM., Shepherd A. R, Sidmans A., Smith Esson, Tozer H., 
1865 — Arnold Jared, Ashelford Luke, Bershaw Maxime, Blakesley Freeman 
F., jr., Chadima Francis, Chapin Walter A., Crandall Eber B., Crandall Syl- 
vester, Crawford John W., Curtiss Herman, Davison Albert, Decker Giles C., 
Diezell Geo., Garey M., Heller Emil, Herrick Oilman. 1S65,— Katharin Bino, 
Kraemer Martin, Litenmire Peter, Major Ed., Man W. N., McKay Robert, 
Potcher Wm., Reno Joseph, Shepherd Alfred, Sholtz G, Steinburg Charles 
Thompson Uphani, Tromble Daniel, Tromble Edmund, Zeigler John G. 

THE SIXTEENTH INFANTRY, 

organized as " Stockton's Independent Regiment," went into the 
field Sept. 16, 1861, with a force of 761 men and officers. Under 
Gen. McClellan it participated in all the engagements of the period 
from Yorktown to Fredericksburg. Crossing the Rappahannock 
on the 12th of December, it participated with the army of the 
Potomac in the battie of Fredericksburg, losing 3 killed, 20 wounded 
and 8 missing. The regiment crossed the Rappahannock and the 
Rapidan, and from the 2d to the 5th of May was engaged at the 
battle of Chancellorsville, with a loss of 1 killed and 6 wounded. 
Marching with the army in June, on the 21st it was engaged in the 
battle of Middleburg, capturing from the enemy a piece of artillery 
and 19 officers and men, with a loss on the part of the regiment of 
9 wounded. The 16th, by a series of forced marches, arrived at 
Gettysburg, Penn., on the 1st of July, and on the 2d, 3d and 4th, 
it participated in the battles at that place, sustaining a loss of 2 
officers and 21 men killed, 2 officers and 34 men wounded, and 3 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 355 

men missing. July 5th, the regiment engaged in the pursuit of 
the enemy, arriving at Williamsport, Md., on the 11th. It crossed 
the Potomac, at Berlin, on the 17th, and on the 23d was at the 
battle at tapping Heights, though not actually engaged. Partici- 
pating in the movements of the army in October, on the 10th it 
crossed the Rappahannock, recrossed on the 11th, and as skirmish- 
era advanced to Brandy Heights, hut did not become engaged. 
Palling back with the army, on the 23d it marched to Auburn, 
where it remained until November 1st. " The .total number of 
miles marched by this regiment from station to station, between 
November L, L8,62, and November 1, 1863, exclusive of marches 
on picket duty and reconnoisances of minor importance, was 
During the year, the command lost 45 men killed. 17 
died of disease, 82 were wounded, and 11 made prisoners. During 
November and December, it captured the rebel works on the left 
bank of the Rappahannock, losing three men. During the crossing 
of the Rapidan and the move to Mine Run, it performed guard 
duty with the wagon train. The 10th re-enlisted as veterans, and 
were mustered into service as such Dec. 24. 1S63. The command 
reached Detroit Jan. 9, where it received a 30- day furlough. 

Feb. '•», the regiment reported at the rendezvous at Saginaw City, 
and on the 17th left for the army of the Potomac. It went into 
winter quarters near Bealton Station, where it remained until the 
1st of .May, when it marched to Brandy Station. Engaging in the 
campaign of this year, on the 4th the regiment crossed the Rapidan 
at Germania Ford. On the 5th it was detailed to guard the wagon 
train at WyckoffFord. On the 6th and 7th the regiment partici- 
pated in the battle of the Wilderness, without loss on the 6th, but 
on the second day losing 35 in killed and wounded. On the morn- 
ing of the Sth the regiment proceeded by a forced march to Spott- 
inia C. 11. During the evening of the Sth, while attempting 
to cross an almost impassible swamp, a portion of the regiment was 
attacked, the enemy making an attempt to capture that portion 
engaged, but the rebels were thrown into confusion by its fire, 
during which a charge was made and a rebel colonel and a large 
number of men were taken prisoners. The loss to the regiment 
was small, and was mainly in prisoners, who were subsequently re- 
captured by our cavalry. The regiment remained in the neighbor- 
hood of the Spottsylvania C. H. until the 21st, when it moved with 
its corps toward the North Anna river. On the morning of the 
22d, while acting as advance guard for its corps, the regiment en- 
countered the rear guard of the enemy near Polecat creek. Four 
companies were deployed as skirmishers, who, advancing, drove 
the enemy from their position, and captured a large number of 
prisoners. On the 23d it forded the North Anna river. The enemy 
having attacked and caused a portion of the line to retire, the 16th. 
with other forces, were ordered to regain possession of the ground. 
The movement, although made under a very heavy fire, was suc- 
cessful, the enemy being driven back with great loss. On the 24th 



356 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

the regiment moved to a point on the Virginia Central railroad, 
and on the 25th to near Little river. Recrossing the North Anna, 
on the 26th and 27th, it proceeded by forced marches toward the 
Pamnnky river, which it crossed at Hanovertown on the morning 
of the 28th, and went into line of battle on the South creek, throw- 
ing up a line of breastworks. On the following morning the regi- 
ment moved to near Tolopotamy creek. On the 30th it again 
moved forward. During the afternoon, the army having become 
engaged, the regiment was ordered into position on the left of the 
line. Though exposed in an open field to a raking fire, the men 
stood their ground with great pertinacity, protecting themselves by 
throwing up earthworks with their hands, bayonets and tin plates. 
Major Robert T. Elliot, while leading the regiment, was here killed. 
The enemy were finally driven back, and the regiment held the 
ground during the night. On the 1st of June the 16th drove the 
enemy from the rifle pits, which it succeeded in holding against all, 
efforts to retake them. On the 2d, 3d and 4th, the 16th was en- 
gaged near the vicinity of Bethesda Church. On the 5th it moved 
to near Cold Harbor, and on the 6th to Dispatch Station. 
June 13 it crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, en route for 
the James river, which it crossed on the 16th, arriving in front of 
Petersburg on the following day. From this time to Aug. 15, when 
it was placed in reserve, the regiment was employed in the trenches 
in front of Petersburg. It participated in the movement, Aug. 18, 
on the Weldon railroad, and remained in this vicinity, constructing 
and occupying a portion of the line of defenses, until Sept. 30, 
when it took part in the engagem ent near Poplar Grove church 
forming part of the storming party which drove the enemy from 
their works. During this assault the regiment again lost its com- 
manding officer, Col. Norvel E. Welch, who was killed. Its loss 
during the engagement was 10 killed and 12 wounded. Oct. 27 
the regiment took part in the movement on the Boydton Plank- 
Road, but did not become actively engaged. On the 28th it consti- 
tuted a portion of the rear guard in the retrograde movement to the 
position near Poplar Grove Church. During its service through 
1864, 52 men died in battle, 12 of disease, 178 were wounded, and 
16 made prisoners. 

During the last days of the war it served at Dabney's mills, or 
Hatch run, Ya., Feb. 6th and 7th, and March 25th; at White 
Oak road, March 29th; Quaker road, March 31st; Five Forks, 
April 1; Amelia Court-House, April 5; High Bridge, April 6th; 
Appomattox Court-House, April 9; and all through the siege of 
Petersburg, from June 17, 1864, to April 3, 1865. Having been 
present in the review of the Potomac army at the Capitol, May 23, 
it left for Jeffersonville. Ind., where it was mustered out July 8. 
Arriving at Jackson, July 12, it received its discharge on the 
25th of that month. 

Officers. — Michael Chiltick entered service as Sergeant of Co. B. Aug. 5, 1861, 
was commissioned 2d Lieut., June 27, 1862, and fell at the second Bull Run, 
Aug. 30, 1862. 



HI8T0R1 OF -AMN.WV COUNTY. 357 

.it Evans, Saginaw, Sergeantin March 33, 1864; 2d Lieut., May 8th, 1865; 
],, Lieut. 8d [nd'pt Co. S. S., July 7, 1865; was mustered out as 2d Lieut., July 
365. 

Benj. P. Fisher, Easl Saginaw, Captain Aug. '•». 1861; was wounded and made 
prisoner at Gaines 1 Mill, Va., June 27, L862; paroled Aug. L2, 1862, and commis- 
sioned Major, 23d Inf.. Aug. 23, 1862. Be resigned Feb. 13, 1863. 

J inline, of Saginaw, Captain 3d Co. S. S., May 1, 1864, was discharged 
April I. i- 

Wallace Jewett, 8aginaw, mustered into service as Sergeant, Co. K, March 1, 
1862; promoted 2d Lieut., July 29, L862; 1st Lieut. Feb. 1, \^'<->: was killed in the 
3burg, Pa., July 2, 1863. 
ik Keeler, East Saginaw, Sergeanl Co. D, Aug. 1, 1861; 2d Lieut. April 26, 
1868; was mustered oul Sep1 10, 1865. 

-ii. mi M. Kent, Saginaw. Sergeanl Co. K. March 1. 1862; 2d Lieut., May 8, 
1865; Isl Lieut, July7,1865; was mustered out July 8, 1865. 

Thomas E. Morris, Eas1 Saginaw, commissioned 1st Lieut, and Adjutant, Aug 
361 : was promoted Major, and transferred to the 15th Inf. Pe;_ r t., Aug21, 1862- 
lie resigned May 31, 1863 

Joseph B. Slack,Eas1 Saginaw, Sergeanl Co. D. Aug. 1, 1861; 2d Lieut., Feb. 
10, 1863; was mustered "in Sepl 9, 1864. 

:inl II. Smith, Saginaw, Sergeant-Major, Aug. 1,1861; 1st Lieut., May 8 
Captain, July 7, 1865; was mustered out July 8, 1865 

John W. Ward. Saginaw, Sergeant Co. I). Aug.29,1861 ; 2d Lieut, May 8, 1865 
1st Lieut.. July 7. 1865; was mustered out July 8, 1865 

Lewis Webster, East Saginaw, commissioned 1st Lieut., March 19, 1862; Cap- 
tain, July 0'.'. L863; resigned Dee. 11, 1862. 

I. Aniuld West, Saginaw, commissioned 1st Lieut, 3d Co. S. S., May 1,1864, 
was promoted to a Captaincy May 8, 1865, and discharged 7 days later. 

Heber B. Woodruff, East Saginaw, Sergeant Co. D, Aug. 1, 1861; 2d Lieut., 
An- 2:5. 1862; l-t Lieu;.. April 11. 1863; wasmustered nut Sept. 7.1864. 

The soldiers of the 16th. from Saginaw, who died from the effects of the hard- 
ships <>f war, wet.. -Francis M. Briggs, Dec. 13, 1862; Heury II. Never, Nov 1, 
1861, at Baltimore; Benry S. Tower, Nov. 9, 1861, at Georgetown; Alfred Well- 
ington, Hall's Hill, Nov 9, 1861; Samuel F. Wellington, 'Georgetown. Oct. 23, 
1861 ; .John Norris, Philadelphia, Aug., 1862; David G. WatsoiCFort McHenry, 
Oct 10, 1862. 

Killed. Samuel Comfort, at Chickahominy, June 27, 1862; Henry C. Smith, 
at Chickahominy. June 27, 1862 : Lewellyn Soule, at Chickahominy, June 27, 1862; 
Charles F Oobson, at Newbridge, June' 27. 1862; Josiah Wadsworth. at Malvern 
Hill. July 1. 1862; Useb Le Charita, at Dull Run. Au<r.30, 1862: William Badger, 
at Gaines' Hill. June 27. 1862; Alanson Bubbard, at Gaines' Hill, June 27, 1862; 
Benry Lyman, at Gaines' Hill, June 27. 1862; John S. Gardner, at Gaines" Hill, 
June 27, 1862; Wm.F. Kelly, at Gaines' Bill, June 27, 1862; Oliver W. Stephen-. 
at Gaines' Hill, June 27, 1862, Alfred Miller, at Gaines' Hill. June 27, 1862; 
Drowne Potter, at White House, June 16, 1862; Oscar F. Drake, at Gettysburg, 
July 2. 1863; Charles McBratnie, al Gettysburg, July2, 1863; Thomas Rolf at 
Washington, June 14, 1864; Michael Scanlon, near Petersburg, July 23, 1864 ; 
John Shaw, near old Chmch. June: 1 ). 1864; Thomas Buckhead, near Poplar 
Grove, Sept 30, 1864; Biram Whitehead, of 2d Indpt Co., July 1, 1864; Alonzo 
Macumber, near the Rappahannock, Nov. 4. 1864; John White. Sept. 30, 1864; 
W A. Carney, died at City Point. Va., July 27, 1864; John Livingstone, died 
Julv 25, 1864; Peter McGuinness. died .it Andersonville ; Sidney Scratch, died at 
Philadelphia. July 25, 1864; Barman Miller, died at Andersonville, Aug. 15, 1864; 
Weaver, died at Petersburg, July 30, 1*64: Daniel Chamberlain, died at 
Field Hospital, Oct 27, 1864; John Mittermere, killed at Hatch's Pun. Feb. 6, 

Discharged. — 1862 — Babcock Nelson A.. Bunting Diehard A.. Ellseffer Geo., 
Engelkee August, Fraser Thomas G.. Griswold William. Guillote Charles F., 
Gunn Henry, Berrick E., Ingham Albert, Lane Morris McHenry, Lyon- John. 
Miller James, Niver Geo. A., Smith Jacob, Stoddard Geo., Teal A.M., Ward John, 
Ward Stephen. 1863 Blair Oliver, Brookins G. P.. Burton E. X.. Clarke 
Thomas D Goulding J.B., CenyonH. M., Kill en Wm. S., Lipscomb Ezekiel, 
Mackerill S. P.. Miller G 1" Purchase 0. P.. Rivenay V. A., Rogers T. B.. Rose 






358 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

John, Rushton R. M., Stephens C D., Sutherland W., Vassaw Silas, Vibber Syl., 
Warren Fred., Whitnev A. H , Wvner Charles. 1864— Baker Nelson, Barber 
Phil., Bradley Frank, Clark R., Cresswell Wm, Damon O. W., Fields F. W., 
Glover Wm., Green Cordell B., Heath Martin, Higgins Wrn., La Clare Peter, 
Holstead E. M., Mills Stephen, Orton Geo. A., Parker James, Patterson Ed., Perry 
T. U., Rosa Daniel, Sebring W. H,, ShermanC, Silliman S. B, Smith Charles, 
Taylor Charles, Ward Geo., Werdner H., Weller J., Woodruff F. W., Young D. 
T.| 186.") — Abbey Charles H., Allen Thomas, Andrews Peter, Applebee J., Armon 
Alfred, Barbour Philetus, Barues Almond, Barrett Oliver, Baxter Alonzo, Bellisle 
G, Black John, Blover Wm , Bolton E. B. Bothwell James, Bounting R. A., 
Bradshaw Jos , Broullette Edward, Bullfinch Oscar F., Bunyan Chauncey, Burns 
John, Busba Cannon, Gary John, Cavenaugh John, Chamberlain James A., 
Chamberlain Lewis B., Clark Robt., Cole Egan, Collins James, Cooley Alfred, 
Cressy Allen, Croy Jacob, Davis Edward, Davis Lorenzo, Dickinson Charles, 
Dickenson C. W., Doran Wm , Douglass Geo., Duben Gregoire, Dunne James, 
Dunne Jeremiah, Evans Selby, Farrell John, Fawcett John, Fitzgerald Patrick, 
Gomis Jos., Green Cordelle B , Greenberry Jones, Grimes Gottlieb, Gunn J. S., 
Halstead E. M., Heath Martin, Hendrix Charles, Hinds John, Horton James, Jell- 
ner Wm., Kelly James, Knapp Charles, Lang Renthold, Lannon Conrad, Leon- 
ard Francis, Leonard J. J., Leonard Martin, Lewis » harles A., Likam John, 
Lowry Eben., Manley Wm., Marcette Charles, Martin John, Maxwell Henry, Mc- 
Kay. iames, McKeeva Peter, McLenithan Sam., Mohn G. H., Montney Levi, 
Moore Joseph, O'Connor James, Ormsby Ira C, Orten Geo. A., Parker James, 
Pier Wm. D., Potts Joseph, Ranger W. H. H., Ross David, Boss Hugh, Sanborn 
Lucius, Scott David, Seymour James D., Shaker John, Simpson James, Smith 
Ed. H., Smith, R. R., Smith R. R., Smith Samuel, Snay Moses, Soyles ( yrenius C. 
Sticknev Jos., Thompson Benj., Thompson David, Turner Win., VanHorn Henry, 
Webster Rielly O , Wellington J. H., Whittock Abram, Wilber Silas, Wilson 
Christopher, Witbeck Clark, Yates Isaac, Young D. F. 

THE SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY, 

comprising 982 men and officers, moved from Detroit Aug. 27, 
1862. It took an an active part in the war, and rendered efficient 
service in suppressing the rebellion. It served with the army of 
the Potomac, and was present in the seige of Petersburg. It took 
part in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out 
June 7, 1865. This regiment did not contain many from this 
county, as is seen below: 

Officers. — Albert Daniels, of Richland, Asst. Surgeon, Aug. 8, 1862; resigned Dec. 
15, 1663. 

V\ illiam S. Logan, Richland, 2nd Lieut. June 17, 1862; was wounded at Antie- 
tam, Sept. 17, 1802; promoted 1st Lieut., Feb. 22, 1863; Capt., Sept. 19, 1863: was 
wounded at the Wilderness May 7, 1864; made prisoner at Spottsylvania, May 12, 
1861; gained to command Dec. 10, 1861, and mustered out June 3, 1865. 

Killed.— Fixil R. Randall, at South Mountain, Sept, 14, 1862. 

Discharged. — 1862— Colburn Norman J. 1863 — Comstock J. B., Fischer Wm., 
Perkins Guy C, Verbeck Sylvester. 1865 — O'Dell Sam. 

THE TWENTY-TniRD INFANTRY 

was organized at East Saginaw in August, 1S62, under Col. Mar- 
shall VV. Ohapin. Oliver L. Spatilding was apuointed Lieut. -Col. 
April 6, 1863, and Colonel April 16, 1861. 

The command was tilled by volunteers from the Sixth Congres- 
sional District, comprising the counties of Clinton, Shiawassee, 
Genesee, Gratiot, Saginaw, Tuscola, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Bay, 
Iosco, Alpena, Chippewa, Marquette, Houghton, Ontonagon, and 



BISTORT OF s.\<.INA\V COUNTY. 359 

a few others not organized. D. II. Jerome was appointed com- 
mandant of camp, [t left East Saginaw Sept. IS, and proceeded 
at once to Kentucky, its muster rolls showing a force of 983 officers 
and enlisted men. Until May 29, L863, it was employed in garri- 
Boning that port, guarding railroad trains, etc. May 31 the regi- 
ment arrived at Glasgow. Marching from Glasgow, it proceeded 
to Tompkinsville, from which place it started July 4 in pursuit of 
the rebels under Gen. John II. Morgan. Moving rapidly through 
filunfordsville. Elizabethtown and Louisville, it proceeded to Jef- 

■ nville, Ind., Cincinnati, Portsmouth and Chillicothe, Ohio, 
and arrived at Paris. Ivy.. June 29, just in time to save the railroad 
bridge from destruction, and a small force stationed at that point 
from capture bv a rebel force that made an attack soon after the 
arrival of the regiment. The rebels retired after a short skirmish. 
Leaving Paris Aug. 4. the regiment proceeded via Lexington and 
Louisville to Lebanon, and thence to Xew Market. It was here 

_;ned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 23d corps. Leaving New 
Market Aug. 17, it participated in the advance into East Tenn- 
essee, arriving at Loudon Sept. 4. On the loth it made a forced 
march, 3<> miles, to Knoxville, and moved thence to Morristown. It 
returned to Loudon on the 19th. With the exception of these and 
some minor movements, the regiment remained near Loudon dur- 
ing September, and entered on picket and entrenchment duty in 
October. The deaths from disease during the year numbered 109, 
and 1 killed in battle. 

During the first two weeks of November, 1863, this regiment 
was in camp opposite Loudon. Last Tennessee, doing picket duty, 
whence it marched to Lenoir. The regiment, with the army, then 
returned toward Huff's Ferry, and attacked the enemy, driving 
them some miles toward the Ferry. On the following morning 
the command fell back to Lenoir. On the 16th orders were 
received to destroy the transportation equipage and officers' bag- 
. and turn over the teams to the several batteries. The papers 
and records were here lost or destroyed. The retreat to Knoxville 
then commenced, the enemy vigorously pressing the pursuit. A 
halt was ordered at Campbell's Station, and an endeavor made to 

ik the rebel advance. The position was maintained against 
repeated attacks of the enemy for several hours, when the com- 
mand, tired and hungry, continued the retreat, through mud and 
rain, to Knoxville, where it arrived at 4 A. M., on the 17th, after 
a march i>i' 28 miles and a battle of five hours' duration, without 
food or rest. The loss of the regiment in these movements Mas 
8 killed, 23 wounded and 8 missing. The regiment assisted 
actively in the defense of Knoxville, until the siege was raised on 
the 5th of December. Dec. 7 it marched in pursuit of the 
retreating rebels, and on the 13th went into camp at Blaine's 
Cross Roads, where it was stationed until the 25th, when it received 
orders to proceed to Strawberry Plains and build fortifications at 
that place. From the commencement of the retreat to Knoxville 



360 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

to this time the regiment suffered greatly. It subsisted on quarter 
rations of meal and fresh beef, foraged from the country. It had 
few tents, and many of the men were without blankets, overcoats 
or shoes. 

Jan. 14, 1864, the regiment marched to Dandridge, but on the 
17th fell back to Strawberry Plains, whence, on the 21st, the 
march was continued to a point near Knoxville, where it was sta- 
tioned until Feb. 15, engaged on picket and out-post duty. The 
enemy's cavalry attacked its pickets Jan, 27, and mortally wounded 
one man and captured seven others. The regiment returned to 
Strawberry Plains Feb. 23, where it encamped until the 29th. 
Thence it proceeded to New Market and Mossy creek, and on the 
12th to Morristown, returning to Mossy creek on the 18th. There 
is no report of the movements of the regiment during the month 
of April. May 2 it moved from Charleston, Tenn. On the 7th it 
marched toward Tunnel Hill, and on the 8th encountered the 
enemy at Rocky Face. The regiment advanced as skirmishers, 
and took possession of a ridge in front of the enemy's works. On 
the 9th it was engaged in a reconnaissance of the rebel position. >. 
Moving from Rocky Face and marching through Snake Creek Gap, 
the regiment arrived in front of Resaca on the 13th, and on the 
following day participated in an unsuccessful charge on the enemy's 
works, losing, in a few minutes, 62 men killed and wounded. 

The enemy having evacuated Resaca, the regiment engaged in 
the pursuit, and came up and skirmished with them on the 24th, 
on the Etowah river. The rebel forces having fallen back to 
Dallas, the regiment took a position in front of their vvorks at that 
point, which it occupied from the 27th to the 1st of June, and dur- 
ing this time, was almost constantly, day and night, engaged in 
skirmishing. May 31 it assisted in repelling a charge made on 
our lines. The regiment participated in the various movements 
following the retreat of the enemy from Dallas, and was engaged 
at Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, on the Chattahoochee river, 
and before Atlanta. It was present at the capture of the latter 
place, and subsequently moved to Decatur, Ga. This department, 
however, has received no detailed report of these operations. The 
regiment marched from Decatur, Oct. 3, in pursuit of the rebel 
army under Gen. Hood, who was then moving northward through 
Georgia and Alabama to the Tennessee river. During the month 
it marched to Marietta, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, 
Alatoona, Carters ville, Kingston and Rome. From Rome it 
moved to Calhoun, thence to Resaca, and through Snake Creek 
Gap to Villanon, Snmmerville and Cedar Bluff, xlla. 

During the year 42 died in battle, 49 of disease, 75 were wounded 
and 32 made prisoners. Having taken a distinguished part in the 
affairs at Fort Anderson, Feb. 18; Town creek, Feb. 20; Washing- 
ton, Feb. 21, and Goldsboro, March 22, 1865, it was mustered out 
of service at Salisbury, and reported at Detroit July 7, 1865. 



HISTORY OF BAGINAW COUNTY. 361 

Officers. — Nelson A. Babcock, Saginaw City, was commissioned 2d Lieut, Not 
12, and resigned Nov. 80, the Bame yen-. 

Alonzo If. Crandall, of Fremont, Sergeant Co. <L was commissioned 2d Lieut.. 
Feb. 24, 1864; Isl Lieut, Oct. 6, 1864, and mustered out June 28, 1865. 

I., ter E. Cross, of Saginaw City, commissioned 2d Lieut, Aug. 1, 1862; ls1 
Linn.. Oct 19, 1862; resigned Dec. IT. 1862. 

a L. Davis mustered into service as Sergeanl of Co. B, Aug. 6, 1802; pro- 
moted 2d Lieut, Dec. 17,1862; 1st Lieut, ami Q. C, July 20, 1863; was discharged 
for disability, Feb. 23, 1864 

.1 iid -on II. Gregg, of ( Ihesaning, volunteered Aug. 9, 1862, as Sergeanl of Co. B; 
was commissioned 2d Lieut, A.ug. 15, 1864, and mustered out, June 28, 1865. 

Dexter D. Keeler, Bast Saginaw, Sergeant .Major. A.ug.6, 1862; 2d Lieut, June 
25, 1868; ls1 Lieut, Oct. 6, 1864; Captain, Dec 29, 1864; was mustered out after 
sen ice al the Western posts- 
William A. Lewis, East Saginaw, 2d Lieut., Aug. I, 1862; 1st Lieut., Oct. 3, 
1862; Captain, Oct 6, 1864; was mustered out June 28, 1865. 

tries D. Little, of Saginaw, commissioned 1st Lieut, and <>. M , Aug. 6, 1862; 
ned July 20, 1863. 

Gideon A Lyons, Saginaw, Sergeanl Co. C, Aug. 21,1862 ; '2d Lieut.. Dec. 
29, 1862; 1st Lieut, April 16, 1864; Captain, Aug. 15, ls64;was transferred to 
28th Int'., June 28, 1865, and mustered out June 11, 1866. 

BenryC. Norville, Saginaw, commissioned Captain, Aug. 1, 1862; died ofdis- 
Oct. 8, 1862. 

Talbol Sleno, Saginaw, Commissionary Sergeant, Aug. 2. 1862; 2d Lieut., Oct. 
0, 1864; ls1 Lieut.. .March 1, 1865 ; was mustered out June 28, is*;.-,. 

Benry Woodruff, Last Saginaw, commissioned Captain 23d Inf., Aug 1, 1862; 
. iit-d Aws. 24, 1864. 

Lewis D. Kicker, at Louisville, Dec. 6, 1862; Leonard Stearns, al 
Bowling Green, Dec. 10, 1862; Gerardus Becker, at Bowling Green, Dec. 30, 18*52; 
W. !l, II. Cleveland, at Bowling Given, Dec. 30, 1802; John Decker, at Frank- 
fort, Dec. 30, 1862; E. E. Deane, al Frankfort, Dec. 30, 1862: Clark J. Briggs, at 
Frankfort. Dec. 30,1862; Daniel L. Dennett, at Frankfort, Nov. 5, 1862; Sylvan 
Cornford, at Lebanon, Nov. 1, 1862; Joshua "Whittle, at Lebanon, Nov. 1, 
L862; Charles 8. Gustin, at Barrodsburg, Nov. 30, 1862; Daniel S. Potter, at 
Louisville, Nov. 22, 1862; Edwin Warden, at Nashville, April 10, 1863; Lucien 
B. lyrrell, al Resaca, June 25, 1863 ; Andrew L. Marvin, at Marietta, June 27, 
1863; John Dufflo, at Resaca, May 14, 1863; Daniel Wakefield, at Resaca, May 14, 
1863; Ceo. Biddlecomb, at Resaca.' .May 14. 1863; Win. C.Stuart, at Resaca, May 14, 
1863; Wallace King, at Chattanooga, Julv 24 I860: Ed. Van Dusen, at Knoxville, 
Feb. ;;. 1st; I; Wallace W. Boune, at Franklin. Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864; Louis Pippin, 
al Stone Mi., Ala., Sept. 7. 1864. 

Died of Wounds or Disease. — Wm. Andrews, at Bowling Green, Ky., 1803: Ed- 
ward Pierce, al Bowling Green, 1863; Ceo. W. Alger, at Bowling Green, 1863; 
Wm. O. Walker, at Bowling Green, 1863; Alanson Simons, at Bowling Green, 
1863; Freeman F>. Stoddard, at Glasgow, Ky., June 11,1863; Wm. Savage, at 
Knoxville, Dec 11, 1863; Henry Paine at Lexington, Sept. 7,1864; Andrew 
Johnson, al NTew Albany. June 15, 1804: John Backer, at Bowling Green. March 
363; Ed. C. Barrington, al Detroit, Dec. 8, 1*04; Albert E.Smith, at Smith- 
ville, N. c, Feb. 2 1 1865; Aetna Pettis, in Libby prison, May 18, 1804: Benry 
C Jennings, al Louisville, Feb. 12, 1865, 

Discharged. — 1865 — Blackmer R., Briggs Hubbard, Carpenter Wm.. Cobb 
L Honeywell s.. Malone Win., Morse Jay, Munger J. D., Paine Roger, 
base A., Rouse W.B., Simms M. A., Surryhead Ed. Ward J., Wilcox 
Ep., Wrighl J.E. 1864-Becker Alonzo, Devine Thomas. Doud Geo W., 
Fletcher John, Fremont Benj., Barrington .lames. Bigley Milton, Lemon 
Wm., Bfetzger John J., Ormsby too m. Porter Albert, Smith Seneca. 1865 
— Allen Ethan c., Allen Robert, Allen W. II.. Anthony Geo., Armstrong L. 
T . Barnes John. Barnum Allen. Beach M.. Decker Alonzo, Beers Luther J., 
Bemway Diehard, Bennetl E. 8., Bennett Judd, Bissell Jerome T., Blackmer 
Austin, Bouns Nelson M., Brant Wm., Brennan James Drown John, 
Buchanan W. R., Bullock Wm., Burt Eugene, Butts C. II.. Cam S.. Carlton 
Sidivy, Carpenter W. D., Chapman Jefferson, Clayton John E., Cleveland 
'Libbins. Cleveland M..L. Cooper Thomas, Delavryne Louis, Dent R II., 
Dewey Richard, Doran Peter, Doyle Godfrey, Finney Edmund. Fisher Ben., 
Fix M., Fletcher John, Fortier Jacob, Freeland Geo., Gerow John A., Gil- 



362 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

let Milan, Goff Nelson, Grey Geo., Griffin James H., Hall Geo., Hall J. M., 
HendsallM., Horton Charles, Horton W. J, Hubbard Eugene, Irish John, 
Jacob Michael, Jock Peter, John-on Morris, Johnson D. W., Jones Wm., 
Knobe Charles, Lense Joseph, Litgers Lazarus, Lonsby W., Lucke A., Lud- 
lum A. E., Mahew F, Mayhap Jo-eph, Marr 15. F. N., Matter Wm., McFarland 
Andrew, McGregor Wm'.. Merrick J, C, Merrill A. J., Miller John F., 
Monroe J. S., Moore Eli, Morgan W. W., Mould T., Jr., Neff G A., Neff II. 
C, Ormsby Geo. II.. Osborn Duane, Overton J. H.; Powelson, Wallace; 
Richmond" Ira, Radoo Aaron, Roberts Alexander, Robinson J. H., Roland 
John B., Saxton Wm. H., Serring Charles, Shantzell Michael, Smith J. B., 
Smith Seneca, Snider Bates, Steirn 0., Strong Wm., Tremper M. O. Van 
Dusen Harrv, Walcott Wm., Wellman J. R., Whitman Nathan, Williams 
Ambrose R." Williams A. 0., Wiltsie M. D., Wonch Richard, Wood Wm., 
Woodruff A., Woodruff D. M., Workrun John, ZieroffJos. 

TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTKY 

was organized at Ypsilanti, April 12, 1863. The nucleus of the 
27th was ordered from Port Huron to the former point, where it 
was consolidated with the 28th Inf. under the name of the 27th. 
Eight companies of 108 men each, or 861, were mustered in on the 
12th of April, and ordered to report at Cincinnati, where the reg- 
iment completed its organization. 

The regiment was stationed at various posts in Kentucky, until 
the 9th corps, to which it was attached, was sent in June to Missis- 
sippi. It moved with the army in its advance on Jackson, Miss., 
in July, and in a skirmish near that place on the 11th of that 
month, lost two killed and five wounded. After the evacuation of 
Jackson by the rebels it participated in a reconnaissance to Pearl 
river, and thence returned to Milldale, Miss. During the follow- 
ing month, August, the regiment returned with the 9th corps to 
Kentucky. Sept. 10 it was ordered to proceed to Cumberland 
gap. It arrived at the gap on the 20th, and from thence marched 
to Knoxville, Tenn., arriving at that place Sept. 26. In 1863, 
three soldiers died in action, 20 of disease and six were wounded. 
The history of the 27th during 1864 is an exceptionally brilliant 
one. From Knoxville to Poplar Grove church it distinguished it- 
self on every field, losing over 200 men who fell in action, 57 who 
died of disease, and 511 who were wounded. Toward the close of 
the war it served at Fort Steadman, Port Mahon, and at the siege 
and capture of Petersburg from June, 1861, to April 3, 1865, re- 
ceiving its discharge at Detroit, July 30, 1865. 

Officers. — Alonzo L. Bingham, of East Saginaw, commissioned Captain Oct. 10, 
L862; wounded in action at Jackson, Miss., July 11, 1863; again at the Wilderness, 
May 6, 1804; a third time at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1SG4, and again at Petersburg, 
Juiie 28, 1864; was mustered out July 26, 1865. 

Oliver I. Davison, East Saginaw, Sergeant Co. H. Nov. 14, 1862 ; commissioned 
2d. Lieut., May 25, 1863 ; 1st. Lieut., April 20, 1864 ; wounded in action near Peters- 
burg, July 30, 1864; commissioned Captain 1st. Ind'p't. Co. Sharpshooters, Nov. 
15, 1864 ; "Brevet Major U. S. Vols. March 13, 1865, for distinguished services ; was 
mustered out July 26, 18G5. 

Died of Wounds <>r Disease— Edwin Rose, at Milldale, Miss., July, 1863; Peter 
Smith, at Milldale, Miss., July, 1863; Enoch Bennett, at Milldale, Miss., July, 
1863; Barton Edsall, at Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 1, 1863; Albert Ammee, killed at 
Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; Jas. B. Helch, killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; 
Richard Cainpeau, killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; W. H. Smith, killed be- 



HI8T0K"? OF sai.LNAW COUNTY. 305 

fore Fredericksburg ; Lewis Clement, killed before Fredericksburg; Beuj. Com- 
fort, killed before Fredericksburg ; Stephen Ward, died of disease al Detroit, 
April 20, 1864 ;U.C.Soper died in rebel prison, March I. L864; R. R. Moll died 
in prison at Florence; S. C, 1864; Jerome Turn it died al Harwood Hospital, June 
80, i s, '»l : < 'yrus L. Sparks died al Annapolis, May 2, 1864 ; Augustus Madison died 

llaire, O., April •">, 1864; John i ameron died al Andersonville, May 25, 1864. 

hargtd. — 1863— Davison Geo. L864— Benjamin I!. I... McMahon Thomas, 
Mills Pool, Pratt W. A., Segmiller Geo., Stablecock J., Ward John, Whitman 

i. 1865 Abbe Howard J., Auice H. C, Block Fred, Chadwick Richard, 

Comforl Thomas, Connor James, ('<><>!<. David, Dendon Win., Derby H. B., Filz- 

ld Thomas, Gavin Dominick, Hunt A. G., Lackland Leonard, La TouitteJ 

[).. Lowtzki Fritz, McKeever Wm., McKenzie Wm., Molloy Michael. Owen 

Willis, Parks II. S., Rosborough Joseph, Runciman Francis, Spicer Hiles, Stone 

house, Stephen Stut Andrew J., Wilbur John, Wray James. 

THE TWENTY-NINTH INFANTRY 

was organized at Saginaw, July 29, 1864, by Hon. JohnF. Driggs, 
and mustered into BerviceOct. 3, L864, with 856 officers and men. 
The command left Saginaw, Oct. 6, for Nashville, under Col. 
Thomas Savior. 

The command was stationed at Decatur, Ala., garrisoning that 
place until Nov. 24, when it marched to Murfreesboro, Tenn. ; ar- 
riving there on the 27th, it composed a part of the force at that 
point (luring the siege of Nashville and Murfreesboro by the en- 
emy under Hood, and was engaged with the enemy Dec. 7, at 
( Overall ( reek. ( )n the L3th it was sent out as an escort of a rail- 
road train to procure fuel, when it was attacked by a superior force 
of infantry and artillery near Winchester church, when a severe 
battle ensued, in which the enemy was repulsed with loss, the 
regiment losing seventeen killed, wounded and missing. The 
enemy having taken up the track, the regiment succeeded in relay- 
ing it under tire, and saved the train, bringing it into Murfrees- 
boro by hand, after the engine had been disabled by a shell. On 
the L5th and L6th, while guarding a forage train at Alexandria, 
near Murfreesboro, it became engaged with two brigades of the 
enemy's cavalry, on the Shelbyville pike, with slight loss, and 
was also engaged at Nolansville on the 17th. On the 27th it 
moved by rail to Anderson, and was assigned to duty guarding 
the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad; remaining there until July 
following, it moved to Dechard, and thence to Murfreesboro, ar- 
ririug thereon the 19th, and was employed on garrison duty until 
Sept. 6, when it was mustered ou1 of service, and on the 8th left 
for Michigan, arriving on the 12th at Detroit, where it was paid 
ofl and discharged. During its term of service it took part in the 
following battles and skirmishes: Decatur, Ala., Oct., 26, 27,2$, 
L864; overall Creek, Tenn., Dee. 7, 1864} Winsted Church, Tenn., 
Dec. L3, L864; Shelbyville Tike. Tenn;, Dec. 15, 10, 1864; Nolans- 
ville, Tenn., Dec. 17, L864. 

re. John A. Berger, of Frankenmuth, was commissioned Lieut., July 2!), 
1864, and mustered out Sept. 16. 1865. 

AJanaon B.Cole, of Salina, was mustered into service Aug. 20, 1864, as I 
missary Sergeant; commissioned 2nd Lieut., July 7, 1866, and mustered out Sepj. 6, 
the Bame year. 

22 



360 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Titus Duncan, commissioned Surgeon July 29, 1864, resigned March 19, 1865. 

Daniel E. Guiley, Bridgeport, Sergeant Co. D, Aug. 22, 1864 ; 2d Lieut., July 7, 
1865; mustered out Sept. 6, 1865. 

Truman W. Hawley was mustered iuto service July 29, 1864 ; mustered out Sept. 
25, 1865. 

Edwin Saunders, Saginaw, commissioned Captain July 29, 1854, was mustered 
out Sept. 6, 1865. 

Geo. T. Swim, St. Charles, commissioned Captain July 29, 1864, resigned March 
27, 1865. 

Edwin C. Turver, Saginaw, Sereeaht Co. C, Sept. 22, 1864; 2d Lieut., Dec. 
15, 1864; was mustered out Sept. 16, 1865. 

William H. Tuttle, Saginaw, commissioned 2d Lieut. July 29, 1864; 1st Lieut. 
Feb. 19, 1865, was mustered out Sept. 6, 1865. 

Robert Whitton, East Saginaw, Hospital Steward, Aug. 17, 1864; 2d Lieut. Aug. 
7, 1865, was mustered out Sept. 6, 1865. 

Died of Wounds or Disease. — Ceo. Poyness, at Vassar, Mich, Sept. 6, 1864; 
Stephen Vangile, at Madison, Ind., Dec. 10, 1864; William Lewis, at Huntsville, 
Ala., Dec. 10, 1864; P. A. Van Fliet, at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. lo, 1864; Win. C. 
Bottsford, at Stevenson, Ala, Feb. 19, 1865; Geo. Reynolds, at Mufrreesboro, 
March, 25, 1865; Robert Binder, at Jefferson, Ind., April 7, 1865; Geo. Sharpstein, 
at Hilton Head,S. C, May 19, 1865. 

Discharged. — The regiment was discharged Sept. 1865, and then consisted of the 
following men: Ames W. A., Andrus S., Arman John, Backer R., Bean Patrick, 
Berry F., Blair Perry, Bloemlien J., Boetcher W., Braley Ephraim, Brandstaller 
C, Brown Francis, Burling Aug , Burlison Wm., Butler H., Campbell C, 
Chennell R., Clarke T., Cole Alanson B., Cook Jerry, Crampton Charles, Cramp- 
ton Nathan, Croronover D. W., Cummings Wm., Davis John C, Denzie N., 
Deuzler J. L., Dico Henry, Doyle Fred, Eadley Charles, Edwards Ephraim, 
Eilenberg Chapman, Ewald^G., Fughman H., Fughman Matthew, Gilman Dan- 
iel, Gilman James, Glaser G., Goeppord. C, Godfrey George, Graham DeForest, 
Graham J., Graham J., Graham W. H., Green H. L., Gugel P. L., Gusley J. H., 
Guilford R. D., Hammond D. N, Hartner C . , Harvey James, Haskell J. L., Haverly 
J., Hawes D. W., Heenan Thomas, Hoerauf M. W., Holiday O. W., Hollwede F., 
Homer L., Horn Thomas, Houghtaling Francis, Howard Herman A., Howe G. W., 
Hoyt J., Hubbard Benj , Hugenon P. J., Hutching E., Jacobs R., Johnson Charles, 
Jones John, Jones Stephen, Kipfmuller A., Kliplegal J., Klumpp Wm., Koch Ber- 
nard, Kridman C, Lacy Lucius, Lawrence Thomas, Lipscomb E., List John J., 
Lncks W., Malchon C, Marster John, Marsh James, Massuer P., McDonald Peter, 
McLean Murdock, McQueen James, Miller Hezekiah, Mills David L., Moeller H., 
Mueller John, Morris John. Morris Wm., Mount Alford, Nelson B. D., Oakley M. 
M., Ohland H., O'Neil Wm., Orton A. Y., Pawlus J., Pearson Jos. E., Pelus C, 
Pine C. J., Rettineier Ed., Richner Sam., Rikowski C, Rindbolt T., Robbtose 
Joseph, Robinson B. W., Rodamer J. F., Rose P. A., Sackett J. G., Sahs Adam, 
Schirping Iheo., Schmidt John, Schmitzer John, Schmitzer J. C, Schuettle 
Charles, Seeger F., Servier Fred., Smith John, Smith Lorenzo, Spellman, H. F. 
Spencer Whitman, Stiles W. F., Stoltz Louis, Stoyl A., Struck John Tarpey 
James, Taylor H. M., Templeton D., Tromble F., Turner J., Valkner P., Valler J., 
Valley Stephen, Van Ever Geo., Van Fleit R., Wagner J., Wagoner Robert, Ward 
Geo., Ward Sam., Weber J. G., Weiss G. C, Wetz J., Wetz R., White Emerson, 
Whitton Robert L., Winas Alonzo, Winnie C. W., Zilk Charles. 

THE FIRST CORPS ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS 

was organized at Marshall, under Col. W. P. Innes, and left for 
Louisville Dec. IT, 1861. A detachment of this command, under 
Gen. O. M. Mitchell, was among the first battalions to enter Bowl- 
ing Green. The regiment was on duty on the railroads between 
Nashville and Chattanooga, Nashville and Columbia, Corinth and 
Decatur, Huntsville and Stevenson, Memphis and Charleston, and 
Nashville and Louisville. During the first 11 months of its 
service, 75 men died of disease, 3 were killed, 17 wounded and 15 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 367 

made prisoners. Toward the close of the year 1S62, the regiment 
veaa reorganized with three battalions of four companies of 150 
men each, or 1.S0O men in toto. 

Jan. 1, 1863, while at Lavergne, the regiment was attacked by 
a cavalry force numbering between three and four thousand, with 
two pieces of artillery, under the rebel Generals Wheeler and 
Wharton. The rebels retreated with considerable loss, after having 
vainly endeavored to compel a surrender. The loss of the regiment 
was one killed and six wounded. June 29 the regiment received 
orders to move south from Murfreesboro, to open and repair the 
line of the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad. During July and 
August it was engaged in repairing the railroad from Murfreesboro 
to Bridgeport. In July the regiment built five bridges, one of 
which, ever Elk river, was 400 feet in length, and one at Duck 
river crossing 350 feet in length. 

During September and ( >ctober, detached companies were em- 
ployed in building a bridge at Chattanooga, making pontoons for a 
bridge at Bridgeport, constructing commissary buildings at Ste- 
veu.-oti, building and repairing bridges, etc., on lines of the Nash- 
ville & Chattanooga railroad, and the Nashville & Northwestern 
railroad. Oct. 31 the headquarters of the regiment were at Elk 
river bridge, Tenn. During the year, in addition to the work 
mentioned, the regiment got out a large amount of timber for 
building, and a great number of railroad ties, and performed a very 
large amount of repairing to railroad tracks and stations. 

The Engineers and Mechanics carried on their operations around 
Chattanooga during the year L864. In the fall, the headquarters 
of the command were moved to Atlanta, Ga. The deaths from 
disease 'luring the year numbered 112. Together with performing 
the onerous duties which devolve on such an organization, it took 
an active part in the following battles and skirmishes: Mill Springs, 
Kv . .Ian. l'.t; Farmington. Miss.. May 9; siege of Corinth, May 10 
to 31; Perryville, Kv.. Oct. 8, 1S62; Lavergne, Tenn,, Jan. 1; 
Chattanooga, Tenn.. Oct. 6, 1863; siege of Atlanta, from July 22 
Sept. '1: Savannah, Ga.. Dec. 1 1 to 21, 1804, and Bentonville, 
N.Carol na, March 10, 1865. The command reported fordischarge 
at Jackson, Sept. 25, and six days later was disbanded. 

Died of /Us,, is, ,,,■ Wounds — Edward Cowan, at Stevenson, July 29, 1864; Rich- 
mond hauford, at Cciit.Tviiic.AuL;-. I. 1864; Joel Eastman, al Ringold, Aug. 28, 
1864; Charlea II. Duncan, at Selma, Ala.. Feb. 1, 1865. 

Discharged.— 1862.-M3uillot1 Peter, Snyder Batus. 1864— Burdick E. D., Con- 
nelly Phillip, Cornwell -lame-. Guillotte Eugene, Hall David, Miller Joseph, 
Valley James K. 1865— Arnold II. P.. Bauford Oliver, Bates W. A, Bludner 
Frank I-'.. Burdick Charles P., Burr Win. Chesterfield Al., Cornell James S., 
Cotter Dennis, Coyne John. Davidson Wm., Dunne John, Fitzgerald John, 
Fourme Charles, Gabraith James, GirouxJohn, Hall Roderick, Holmes John, 
King Patrick, Leighton Anthony, Lockley James, Mantich Wm., McGaw Martin, 
McLaren Rob't, McMichael Geo., McNamara Denis, Meader James M., Milan 
Wm.. Morton Theo., Nye Charles, O'Brien Michael, O'Brien Wm. B, O'Grady 
Martin. Oveesby Wm., Parish Amhony, Richardson Dan., Savage Wm., Stokes 
Henry, Stone M. I)., Stone Robert, Tonally James, Valley James K., Weaver J. 
M ., White Oscar E., Williams G. II., Wilson John, Wisson Wm. 



368 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

FIRST MICHIGAN SHARPSHOOTERS 

was partially organized in September, 1862, at Kalamazoo; and 
completed its organization as a battalion at Dearborn, in January, 
1863. It numbered 963 names, under the command of Col. C. v. 
De Land. The service of this regiment throughout the war was 
exceptionally brilliant. It took an active part in the siege of 
Petersburg. 

Officers. — Edwin V. Andress of Chesaning, was commissioned Captain July 22, 
1863; wounded in the action of Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. He was dis- 
charged on account of disability July 26, 1864. 

Casualties. — Sash-ke-bouquot was accidentally killed at Camp Douglas, 
Chicago, Dec. 27, 1863; Thomas Wabesis died at Isabella. Mich., Jan. 7, 1864. 

Discharged. — 1865 — Cain Geo. A., Chetego Thomas, Church Albert, Corbin 
George, Dennis James, Dutton L., Hero William, Jackson Wm, Keabuorga 
Geo., Shaw-an-ax Joseph, Stone Harrison, Whipple Olson W. 

OTHER INFANTRY COMMANDS. 

Owing to the small number of Saginaw volunteers in a few of 
the infantry regiments furnished by the State, the following per- 
sonal mention merely is necessary: 

Seventh Inf. The representation of this county in the 7th was held by Virgil R- 
Lamson, until he fell at Frederick, Md., Sept. 24, 1862. 

Ninth Inf. In this regiment the county had Sinrett McCartney, who died at 
Nashville, Oct. 11, 1862; Robert A. Hamilton, disabled Nov. 18, 1862; John 
Considine and Cicero Weathers, mustered out Sept. 15, 1865. 

Eleventh Inf. contained Joseph Kitelinger, killed at Stone river, Dec. 31, 1862: 
and Charles McQuade, Stephen Pettibone, Frederick Joslin, Silas D. Patterson, 
and Lyman D. Whittaker, discharged Sept, 16, 1863. 

Fifteenth Inf. comprised Tony O'Hara, discharged for re-enlistment Feb. 14, 
1864; and August Otto, Isaac Totten, L. D. Webster, Druses Shumway, Stewart 
Douglas, Milan Calvin and Munson A. Simmons, mustered out Aug. 13, 1865. 

Nineteenth Inf. Saginaw county furnished one officer to this regiment, 
Dwight J. Corwin, of Brady, Sergeant Co. K, was promoted 1st Lieut., Jan. 31, 
1865, and discharged June 10, 1865. 

Twenty-second Inf. C. W. Winnie and Stephen Sturtevant were transferred to 
the 29th for muster-out; Duncan Morrison was discharged June 11, 1865. 

Twenty-fourth Inf. John Chapman was reported mtssing Aug. 19, 1864, and 
died at Salisbury, N. C, Dec. 9; George H. Barnum died April, 1865; and Thomas 
Mi Mann, Geo. Brown, and Wm. Devaney were mustered out June 30, 1865. 

Twenty-fifth Inf. contained Albert Stanton, discharged June 13, 1865. 

Twenty-eighth Inf. contained Isaac J. Brooks, of Maple Grove, Sergeant Co. B 
commissioned 2d Lieut., Dec. 20, 1865, and discharged, June 5, 1866; and pri- 
vates Wm. Bullock, J. E. Clayton, J. Fortier, Geo. E. Anthony, Lazarus Litzgus, 
Mourad Fisk, and John Workman, who were mustered out in the fall of 1865. 

Thirtieth Inf. contained Therson T. Hubbard, of Saginaw, commissioned as 
Asst. Sergeant Dec. 30, 1864; Surgeon 23d Inf. May 2, 1865, mustered out June 
28, 1865; and Ansel J. Kane, of Richland, commissioned 1st Lieut., Nov. 28, 
1864, and mustered out June 23, 1865. 

THE FIRST CAVALRY 

was organized in August, 1861, under Col. T. F. Brodhead. It 
left Detroit Sept. 29th for Washington, with a force of 1,144 men 
and officers. It participated in all the actions along the UppLT 
Potomac, and Shenandoah, and east of the Blue Kidge mountains. 



HI8T0R? OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 369 

before the close of the year, with the result of losing 30 men 
killed. ">^ wounded, 60 who died of disease, and 17<» who were 
mode prisoner-. 

During the early pari of the year 1863 this regiment was 
engaged in guard duty in front of Washington, on a line extend- 
ing from Edward's perry to the mouth of the Occoquan. The 
duty was the most arduous and difficult the regiment had to per- 
form, requiring incessant watchfulness and vigilance; but while 
two cavalry regiment- from other States, who were sharing in the 
ice, lost each about 200 men from the frequent attacks and 
surprises of Mosby's guerrillas, the loss of the 1st was only 30. 
DuriDg the raid about the Union lines, made by the rebel Gen. 
Stuart, in February, a detachment of 56 men of this regiment were 
senl <Mit to watch Ids movements. Near < >ccoquan the enemy came 
within range of the carbines of tin- party, and fell back in confu- 
sion at the first tire. Discovering the weakness of the force 
opposed to them, the rebel cavalry recovered and charged vigor- 
ously with a large force, before which the detachment retired, 
fighting from behind bushes, etc.. during a pursuit of several 
miles, with a resulting loss to Stuart's troopers of 15 in killed and 
wounded, and to themselves of none. June 27, the regiment took 
up it- line of march northward in the Gettysburg campaign, and 
wa- in L5 engagements and skirmishes in as many days. July 3, at 
Gettysburg, it met. in a charge, Hampton's Legion, composed ot 
three regiments <•! Virginia cavalry, and beat it in six minutes, 
losing so men ami 11 officers out of 300 that went into action. On 
the 4th. it met and defeated two regiments of rebel cavalry at 
Fairfield gap, sustaining further loss in officers and men. ' At 
Falling Water, after a severe engagment, it captured 500 confed- 
erates and two stand- of color- belonging to the 40th and 47th 
Virginia infantry. The number of men lost by death during the 
year was 29. 

The operations of the command during 1864, from the expiration 
of it- furlough at Detroit, Feb. 7, was of varied brilliancy. It 
made the crossing oi the Rapidan May 4, andserved in all the 
principal battle- in which the army ofthe Potomac engaged dur- 
ing the summer of that year. In August it moved into Virginia, 
and wa- attached to the army of the middle military division 
under General Philip II. Sheridan. The command marched 1*;4:> 
miles during the year, lost 82 men in battle, had 102 wounded, 
and 33 died of disease. During the winter of 1864— '65 the regi- 
ment participated in the following engagements: Mount Craw- 
ford, Va.. Oct. 2, L864; Woodstock, Ya.. Oct. 9, 1864; Cedar 
Creek, Va., Oct. 19, L864; Madison Ct. House. Dec. 24, 1864; 
Louisa Ct. House, Va., Mar. 8, L865; Five Fork-. Va., March 30, 
31, April 1. L865; South Side, Et. R., Va.. April 2, L865; Duck 
Pond Mill-. Va., April 4, 1865; Ridges, or Sailor's Creek, Va., 
April*;. 1865; Apponimattox Ct. IF, use. Va., April 8, 9, 1865. 

The affair of Willow Springs, D. T., Aug. 12, 1865, in which S. 
L. Matthews and Walter Cotton were killed fiiditino; against the 



370 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Indians, may be termed its last field day. The command re- 
enlisted at Fort Bridger, in Nov., 1865, and consolidated with the 
6th ife 7th Cav. Reg'ts, forming the 1st Regt. Vet. Cav. Subse- 
quently eight companies were stationed at Salt Lake City and four 
held Fort Bridger until March 10, 1866, when the entire command 
was mustered out. 

Died of Disease.— Robert Mitchell, at San Antonio, Aug. 18, 1861; Alvin M. 
Bugsby, at San Antonio, Aug. 18, 1861. 

Disch irged.— 1865— Bsird David, Black W. J., Bradford T., Brush Matt R., Burns 
Albert, Darby J. P., Deyo G. W.. Dulabaugh Daniel, Dobson R. T., Fan- J., Fer- 
ris John, Fogle Matt, Gates Geo., Hall Benj., Johnson Ed., Jones Rob., Killem 
Sam., Kimball Wm., Kincaid E., Kusteroe John, McConnell A., McLaren A. J., 
Ogden M. A., Perkins Sam., Rapleye D. L., Rock James, Rogers Levi, Saiumer- 
scales Jesse, Smith John, Webb Russell J. 

THE SECOND CAVALRY 

was organized at Grand Rapids by F. W. Kellogg, and left for St. 
Louis Nov. 14, 1861, with a force of 1,163 men and officers. 

In December and January it participated in the raid under Gen. 
Carter, into East Tennessee, severing the enemy's communications 
and destroying his stores. During this affair, which occupied 
22 days, the regiment was engaged in several severe skir- 
mishes. Soon afterward it proceeded to Louisville, and from 
thence, Feb. 3, to Nashville, Tenn. During February and March 
it was stationed at Murfreesboro and Franklin. It made many 
important reconnaissances on the roads leading out of these places, 
and had numerous skirmishes with the rebels. In February it 
was engaged, on the 18th near Milton, on the 19th at Cains- 
ville, and on the 27th near Spring Hill. On the 4th and 5th of 
March it had a severe skirmish with the enemy, under Gens. Yan- 
Dorn and Forrest, on the Columbia Pike, the regiment losing one 
killed, four wounded and one captured. From the 8th to the 12th 
it participated in an important reconnaissance, during which the 
enemy were driven across Duck river. March 25 it had a sharp 
encounter with a large force of rebels under Stearns and Forrest, 
killing and wounding a large number of the enemy, and capturing 
52 prisoners, and a number of wagons loaded with arms, 
ammunition and baggage, with a loss to the regiment of one died 
of wounds, six wounded and two missing. On the 4th of June, 
while returning to Franklin from Triune, it had a brisk skirmish, 
with a loss of two killed and three wounded. Marching to Triune 
on the 6th, it remained at that point until the advance of the army 
from Murfreesboro, when it moved forward with the cavalry di- 
vision to which it was attached. On the 23d it was engaged at 
Rover. On the 24th it drove the enemy through Middletown, and 
on the 27th charged the rebels into Shelbyville. On the 2d of 
July it aided in driving the enemy from Elk river ford, and on the 
3d from Cowan. In the early part of September the regiment was 
actively engaged in scouting among the mountains near Chatta- 
nooga and in northern Ge u-gia. Le wing Rankin's ferry, on the 



HI8T0BT OF SAGINAW COUNTY. :;71 

Tennessee, ( October 3d, the regiment participated in the chaseafter 
the rebel cavalry under Gen. Wheeler, who were then engaged in 
making a raid on the communications of the army. During the 
pursuit of Wheeler the regiment crossed the Cumberland moun- 
tains, marching on the 3d, 4th and 5th of October L03 miles, and 
on thf 6th, 7th and 8th 82 miles, the greater portion of the dis- 
tance over rough and mountainous roads. 

The 2d took pari in numerous military affairs during 1864. From 
Dandridge, Dec. 24, 1863, to the battles in Alabama 'in Oct., L864, 
it \\<>n well-merited honors. Of the troops forming this command, 
25 fell in battle and 57 died of disease during the year. 

I taring the month of I >ecember, L86 I. the regiment participated in 
the actions of Nashville. Richland Cr.-, Pulaski and Sugar Cr. In 
1865 it was engaged at Pricetown Yard, Corinth, Tusccaloosa, 
Triune. Bridgeville and Talladega. The camp at Macon was 
broken up July 17. l s <'>">. and detachments of the command sent 
to occupy Perry, Thomaston, Barnsville, Forsyth and Milledge- 
villc. only two companies remaining in the garrison at Macon. 
The regiment reported at Jackson, Aug. 26, andreceived its dis- 
charge. 

Merritt B. Blackmer, of Saginaw, commissioned 2d Lieut., Sept. 8, 
1861; promotedlsl LieutSept. 25, 1862; resignedMay 17, 1803. 

i. Carter, Easl Saginaw, commissioned 1st Lieut., Sept. 2, 1861; Captain, 
Bent 25, 1862; resigned Nov. 5, 1863. 

Hiram Jenkins of East Saginaw, Serjeant Co. A, August 28, 1801; 2d Lieut,, 
>6, 1864; Lai Lieut, July 31, 1865; was mustered out Aug. IT. 1865. 

Royal II. Loomis, Saginaw, Sergeanl Co. A, Aug-. 21. 1861; 2d Lieut., March 1, 
1864; Captain, Dec 26, 1864; was mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. 

Theo. F Smith, Easl Saginaw, Sergeanl Co. A., Aug. 22, 1801: 2d Lieut., Jan. 
1,1863; 1st Lieut., .May 27. 1863; resigned May 4. 1804. 

tatties. — James L. Booth, killed May 7. 1862; James Ross, died at New 
Madrid March 24, 1862; John Burga, died' at Farmington, Miss., July 9, L862; 
David 1). Still', at Triune, Tenn., June 11, 1863; Irwin C. Bartlett, at Pulaski, 
Tenn. r Sept. 27, 1864; Ezekiel Lemmon, at Tuscaloosa, Ala., April 4, 1865. 

Discharged. 1862 — Davis Malcom B., Hazzard Thomas, Lennan Wm., Mc- 

ld John II.. Oliver Jerom.e, Parks Wm., Redson Thomas, Van Kough- 

natt Lester H., Way Thomas II. 1863— Bourassa BernardjF., Burley August, 

Cole Jonas W., Mead Jos L. 1864 — Althouse 6eo.,Antbony ('has.. Bedford J., Beyer 

Michael, Boyd Alex., Campbell Alonzo. Canfield .Clark V> m., Clement Geo., 

Cole David. 1 >avis J, W . . Deman Ed ., Douglass .lames. Fay Alfred, Fisher \\ in., 

a Alonzo, Gordon Thomas, Graves E. O., Graves Ira, Green James P., Griffin 

W, A.. Grover Eben, Boag Joseph, Harper R. 8., HigginsC. C, HurlbutSyl., 

Hutchinson James, Jackson Francis, Jenkins 11. J., Jones J. M., Kimball E. S., 

n Henry, Lemmon Ezekiel, Lockwood Henry, Loomis R. 1L, Love John II., 

Lynn Charles. Martindale Alpheus, Feel George, Reichel U., Sovay Charles, 

burn Louis, Watkins Oretus. 1865 — Andrews S. E., Anthony Charles, 

Beyer Michael. Bierling Mathias, bourassa Barnhart, Cahoon Washington, ( hap- 

pel Lewi-. Danning Malcolm, Davis J. W., Donle} r Plumley, Gordon Chris., 

Crave- !•;.().. Grover Eben, Hale Albert M.. Higgins (. . C. HoagJos . Kimball E.S., 

Lyon (. bag., Moody Bonaparte,* Hiver Jehiel, Parker Leoraard, Parks John 8., Reichel 

Lrlin, Richards John, Saphy < harles, Bylvester F., Walker Wm., Washburn Lewis, 

Watkins Oretus, W heeler Jehiel, Williams John II., Williamson Martin T. 

THE THIRD CAVALRY 

was organized at Grand Rapids, and left for the front, under Col. 
•I. K. Mizner, Nov. 28, L861, with 1,163 rank and file. It entered 



372 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

upon field service at New Madrid, March 13, 1862. and concluded 
its first and brilliant series of military work at Ooffeeville, Dec. 5, 
1862. During the first 12 months its losses were as follows: 
Killed 7, wounded 45, died of disease 104, made prisoners 59. In 
1863 the command was prominent in almost ever} 7 well-fought 
field in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. In addition 
to the principal engagements, the regiment has participated in a 
large number of skirmishes of minor importance. In the affair at 
Grenada, the 3d was in the advance. It. gained possession of the 
town after a sharp engagement, and immediately commenced the 
destruction of the enemy's machinery and rolling stock accumu- 
lated jat this point. Over 60 locomotives and more than 400 
cars were destroyed. At Byhalia and Wyatt's Ford the regiment 
was warmly engaged. In these actions the enemy were completely 
routed, with large loss. The 3d Cav. aided largely in driving the 
notorious rebels, Richardson, Dawson and Cushman, from West 
Tennessee, together with numerous bands of guerillas that infested 
that section, and who were destroyed or dispersed by it. From 
Nov. 1, 1862, to the close of the war, the regiment captured an 
aggregate of 1.100 prisoners, nearly 50 of whom were commissioned 
officers, making the number of 2,100 prisoners taken from the 
enemy by the 3d. During the year the regiment marched a dis- 
tance of 10,800 miles, exclusive of marches by separate companies 
and detachments. It lost 53 men by death, -S3 wounded and 38 
prisoners. The service of the command in 1864 may be said to 
date from Aug. 1, when its equipment was completed, as a veteran 
volunteer regiment. During its campaign in 1S64 it lost 11 men 
in the field and 115 by disease. After the capitulation of Mobile, 
the 3d Cav. formed Maj.-Gen. Canby's escort when he received the 
formal surrender of the rebel army under Gen. Taylor. Subse- 
quently it was attached to Sheridan's army, and remained in service 
until Feb. 15, 1866, when it left en route to Jackson for discharge. 

Officers. — Thomas Say lor, Saginaw, commissioned Captain, Sept. 7, 1861 ; Major 
July 12, 1862; Colonel 29th Iufantry, July 29, 1864; was mustered out Sept. 6, 1865 

James H. Cardy, Saginaw, entered service Sept. 21, 1861, as Sergeant of Co. JVI 
He was promoted 2d"Lieut., May 12, 1862; 1st Lieut., June 12, 1862; Captain 
Nov. 14, 1864; and resigned Nov. 8, 1865. 

John G. Busch, Saginaw, entered service Sept. 2, 1861; appointed Commissary 
Sergeant; promoted 2d Lieut., Feb. 24,1863; 1st Lieut, and Quartermaster, May 
24, 1864; was killed in the affair at Petersburg.,Va, Julv 30, 1864. 

Killed.— Benj. Lade, at Water Valley, Misv, Dec. 8, 1862. 

Died fron i Disease.— The following died in Alabama and Mississippi in 1862: 
John Currier, Matthew White, Chris. Dambadier, Geo GJreflugiel, Egbert Eldred, 
Harvey Moll, Joseph Johnson, Michael Ebbler, Nelson B. Hicks: Jackson Aldridge, 
at DuVall's Bluff, July 8, 1864; Eldridge Godfrey, at Du Vall's Bluff, Aug. 10, 
1861; James Lord, at Du Vall's Bluff, Aug. 24, 1864: Martin C. Bates, at San 
Antonio, Texas, Sept. 1 5, 1865. 

Discharged.— 1862— Holmes John, Lobdell Warner J., Rhodes John G., Richard- 
son Charles; 1 863 - McCullough John; 1861— Andrews A. R., Austin Geo., Bashnell 
John, Bloedin Edward, Bushel I., Decker Wm , Finchart James, Flood R. A., Gable 

Hen rv, Hitchcock Amos D., Huss Herman, Johnson , Krick Adam, Krogman 

F., Manser F., Miller A. W., Miller R. A., Monaghan Francis, Patterson S. J., Pattie 
C. D., Phy Nelson, Rank John, Rhodes S., Rupprecht I., Schnettler F., Smitzer J. 
M., Swarthout C. M.: 1865— Andrews A. R.. Armsbruster Wm., Austin Geo., Backer 



HI8T0BT OF SAGINAW COTTNTT. 373 

!■'.. Beron ('. A.. Brunning Gerrard, Buell James. Curtis Lazelle, Dean Jason. Decker 
Win EblingJohn, Flood Reuben A.. Fox II. B, Fritz Godfried, Green Dennis, Hal- 
Btead fttilo, Hicks Daniel ( '.. Homer L. I... Kelly F., Kilbourn John, Liscomb 
Rinald, Lockhman Aug., Londback John, Marvin Henry, McCullcugh John, McDon- 
nell Michael, Merrick Henry V.. Miller Arnold YV., Miller Oscar, Miller Reuben A., 
Monaghan Frank. Nafus William F., Xessell G., Patterson R. F., Pattersons. J., 
hi James 'P., Peck Germain, Phole F. W., Phy Nelson, Ponder John, Rhodes 
Sherman A., Schmitzger J., Schmitzger J. M., Sheffer .lames. Smith ('. G., Smith 
i. \\ . Stacey John, Stearns C. M., Tanner Joseph, Templar Allen, Vandermark A. 
S., W'inans John. Winklev Theo., Wisson James, "Wright C. P. 

FOURTH CAVALRY 

was organized at Detroit .Inly 21, 1862, under Col. R. H. G. 
Minty. The command comprised 1,233 men and officers, fully 
equipped as a cavalry regiment, and left for Louisville Sept. 26. 
For the ensuing three years it was actively engaged in various ser- 
vices, always with honor to themselves. It participated in eight 
important battles and more than a hundred skirmishes. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Nashville, July 1, and July 10 it re- 
ported at Detroit for discharge. 

Killed. — James Stark, at Kingston, Ga , May 13, 1864; John McMahon, at Kings- 
ton. May 15, 1804. 

Discharged. — 186*) — Austin Hiram. Burns James H , Card Jos., Chase Henry, 
Clayton Edwin, Drisco Darius, Edwards I). H., Falley Thomas, Field Gilbert, Fur- 

f Rob., Hall Geo., Herrick Aug., Hubbard Ben, Hughes C. D., King Geo C, 
owe John, Lucas Win., North A.. Bead Orville, Powell Charles, Powell Peter, 
Rielly Joseph, Bobinson J. W., Smith Cornelius, Snyder Douglas, Spaulding 
< 'buries, Stagg George, Taylor Perry, Underwood Sam., Wright Frank. 

FIFTH CAVALRY 

was organized under Col. J. T. Copeland,in August, 1862, and left 
for AVashington Dec. 4. The command was engaged in important 
services during the war, and was generally successful in its 
attempts. Its history is interesting, but would be out of place 
when so few men from Saginaw were in the regiment. 

Killed. — Louis Derwin. at Winchester, Va., Sept. 1864; Alphonso Chant, at Sa- 
lem. \'a.. <)et. 23, 1864; Corwin Cenneydied at Andersonville, Nov. 14, 1864. 
Discharged.— George Geigrich and A. s. Aldrich in 1865. 

SIXTH CAVALRY 

was organized at Grand Rapids by linn. F. W. Kellogg, and under 
Col. Gray George proceeded to Washington, Dec. 10, 1862. 

During the year 1863 this command gained some distinction 
while attached to the army of the Potomac. Thirty-six men fell 
in the action, 45 died of disease, 75 were made prisoners, and 65 
were missing. 

The work of the 6th was entered upon for the year 18<>4, Feb. 
28, when it went forward with the raiders under Gen. Kilpatrick. 
In June it participated in the series of magnificent movements 
under Gen. Sheridan, and served as his escort in the ride after 



374: HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mosby's rebel guerillas. It lost in battle 55 men, by disease 44,, 
and 5 missing. The 6th served in the same actions as the 5th, 
beginning at Hanover, Va., June 30, 1S63, and concluding a bril- 
liant service at the Appomattox Ct. House, April 9, 1865. It was 
mustered out at Leavenworth, Kan., Nov. 24, 1865, and arrived at 
Jackson for discharge on the 30th of the same month. 

Officers. — William J. Driggs, of East Saginaw, mustered into service Aug. 29, 
186*2, as Corporal Co. L; transferred to Co. C, 7th Cav., Nov. 12, 1862; commissioned 
1st Lieut. Sharpshooters, July 22, 1863, and discharged on account of disability 
July 6, 1861; entered the U. S. army as 2d Lieut., Feb. 23, 1866; promoted 1st 
Lieut., Feb. 28, 1866, and was mustered out Jan. 30, 1871. 

DiedofDi&ene.— Seth B Hinkley, at Richmond, Nov. 2, 1863; A. F. Davis, at 
Annapoli-i, March 15, 1864; Joseph Stevenson, at Annapolis, April 2, 1864; Reuben 
G. Parmelia, at Baltimore, March 26, 1865. 

Dischirged — .1865— Bender John, Blaney Brock, Broderiek Saginaw, Confer 
Erastus, Darby John P., Driggs W J., Jone^ Robt., Kitridge Aaron, MacLaren A. 
A , Moore R*., Parmelia O A., Rapelye Dan., Smith Geo , Smith Wra , Stoltz 
Thomas, Voorhees AVm. M. 

THE SEVENTH CAVALRY. 

This regiment entered the field during the year 1863, two bat- 
talions leaving Grand Rapids for Washington Feb. 20, and the re- 
maining companies joining them in May. The number who died 
in action during the year was 30; of disease, 50; prisoners, 75; 
wounded, 62, and missing, 46. In February, 1864, the command 
moved forward under Gen. Kilpatrick. In May it crossed the 
Rapidan with the army of the Potomac, and again served under 
Gen. Sheridan. At Cedar creek, Oct. 19, it performed some bril- 
liant deeds, capturing 100 prisoners in one charge. Its losses dur- 
ing the year are stated to be 31 killed, 128 wounded, and 37 died of 
disease. It was in the field before the Fifth and Sixth, and remained 
there after them. 

The command was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, and were 
compelled to pay s25 each for transport to Michigan. It arrived at 
Jackson, Dec. 20, and was discharged on Christmas day, 1865. The 
money which the troops paid the railroads was subsequently re- 
funded. 

Officers- -Lewis Carson, East Saginaw, entered service Aug. 26, 1862, as Ser- 
geant of Co. G , 7th Cavalry. He was promoted 1st Lieut., Oct. 14, 1863, and re- 
signed June 26, 1865. 

Win, H. Clipperlon, East Saginaw, commissioned Captain, June 11, 1863;, 
transferred to 1st Vet. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865; was mustered out March 10, 1866. 

Rolla Glover, Buena Vista, entered service as Sergeant Co. C, Aug. 29, 1862; 
promoted 1st Lieut., June 13, IS J3 ; Captain, Jan. 7, 1865 ; transferred to 1st Mich. 
Cav., Nov. IT, 1365, and mustered out, March 10, 1866. 

Wm Jackson, of East Saginaw, Sergeant Major, April 18, 1863; 2d Lieut, June 
26, 18J5 ; mustered out as S. M. , Dec. 15, 1865. 

Joseph L. Mead, EastSaginaw, commissioned Lieut., June 11,1863; died of 
wounds received, Aug. 29, 1864. 

Robert Sproul, Birch Run, commissioned 1st Lieut, Oct. 15, 1862; Captain,. 
June 13, 1863; wounded at Kelly's Ford, Sept, 16, 1863; promoted Major, May 
24, 1865; transferred to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865; was mustered out, March 
10, 1866. 

Bradley M. Thompson, Eist Siginaw, commissioned Captain, Oct. 15, 1862; re- 
signed, July 31, 1864. He was appointed paymaster U. S. Volunteers, July 2,. 



BISTORT OS SAGINAW COTJNTr. 375 

1864, and waa breveted Lieut-Col. V. 8. Vols, March 13, I860, for distinguished 
sen ii 

ualtit 1.— Bi'ii < hunli died at Gettysburg July 3, 1803; Tbomas Motley died 
ttysburg, July 3, l s "i:3: Charles Smith died at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; E. R. 
Wright died at A tniajx >1 is. Nov. 24, 1868; II. C. Bayard died at Washington, Jan. 7, 
1864; John Smith died at Washington, Sept 24, 1864; G. M. GLfford died at Wash- 
ington, March 19, 1864; David II. Pomeroy killed at Tumble River, June 9, 1865; Mau- 
riceKelcher died in prison at Richmond, March 30, 1864; B. F. Fredenburg died 
in Andersonville prison, N"\ 1. 1864; John Hill was killed near Fort Leavenworth, 
K in.. June 24, I860; Joseph Parmalee died in Andersonville, July 1!), 1804; Frank- 
lin Robinson died al Fort Leavenworth, Kan., June 10,1865; Geo. A. Terry at 
Salisbury, S.C, Jan. 13, 1835; Daniel Cameron, Thomas I). Thompson, Charles D. 
Rollin died while in rebel prisons; Albert Green died at Richmond, Jan. -'■>, 1864; 
Alonzo II. Boakes, at Annapolis, Md., Dec. 8, 1864; David Seil, at Andersonville. 
Transferred and Discharged. — 1864 — Glavan Maurice, Gregory A. P., Hassett 
Marion, Rose Phillip A., Schaller Geo., Wallenwine Wm., Wilcox Darwin. 1805 — 
Aheren Martin, Barbarin Geo. P., Barnes Albert, Bedell B. C, Bentley H., Bierd 
]>.. Call Henry, Cameron W. J., Care T. B., Carson James, Chase Sabin, Cook J. 
II., Corey, K. II.. Deyo G. W., Dillabaugh Daniel. Duncan F., Farnsworth R. K., 
Ferris J., Finnell [sadore, Gage Wm. G., Gradt Francis, Gradt L. W., Griffin B., 
Peter, Gallagher Timothy B.,*llall Benj.. Harrington John, Hays F. E., 
Houghtaling Charles. Hunter W. W., Jackson Wm., Jarvey Julius, Johnson Ed., 
Killam Sam.. Kimble Wm., LeDuc Ed., Lockney T., Long John, Luther C. L., 
Mark ham Wm., .Marsh ('.. McCracken Wm., McPherson James, Menthon Geo., 
Morton R, O'Brien James, Payne Jos., Perkins Sam., Perry O. II., Rich Edwin, 
Rudell Bryant, Ryan Thomas. Sawtetl Vincent, Seymour Henry, Smith C. A., Smith 
John. Sharp J. L. Terry J. B., Tharritt Joshua, Tozer Philder, Trombley Alexan- 
der. Twitched Charles, Van Daniels E., Waters Michael, West J. C, Zibble Albert. 

THE EIGHTH CAVALRY 

was organized at Mount Clemens, and entered the field in Kentucky, 
during the month of May, 1863, having on its rolls the names 
of 1.1 17 officers and men. Leaving Covington June 1, it went 
immediately into active service. Between that date and August 
10, it was on the route 52 days, and during this period marched 
1,242 miles, exc usive of 1,622 miles marched by detachments of 
the regiment, while scouting, etc. It participated in skirmishes on 
the Triplett, Kentucky and Salt rivers, and at Lebanon, Kv., and 
also in the pursuit of the rebel cavalry of Gen. John II. Morgan, 
when he made his noted raid through Kentucky, Indiana and 
Ohio. The regiment was engaged for 16 days in the latter 
movement, overtaking Morgan at Buffington island, Ohio, July 
I'd. when it immediately attacked his forces, capturing 217 men 
and killing and wounding a large number, with a loss to the regi- 
ment of only two wounded. Twice the regiment marched, during 
the chase after Morgan, 48 hours with feed for man or horse onl} r 
twice on each occasion, and marched at one time 24 hours without 
stopping to feed or rest but once. From Bnffiington island the 
regiment returned to Kentucky, and during the month of August 
engaged in the advance into East Tennessee, having in the mean- 
time participated in the pursuit of Scott's rebel cavalry, skirmish- 
ing with them from Lexington to Stanford, Kv. At Calhoun, Tenn., 
the brigade to which the 8th was attached, was attacked by a force 
estimated at 15,000, under Generals Forrest and Wheeler. After a 
sharp engagement with some loss, the command retreated to Athens, 



376 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

where it endeavored to check the rebel pursuit, in which it was 
temporarily successful, but was compelled finally to fall back to 
Loudon. In actions at Calhoun and Athens, Sept. 26 and 27, the 
regiment lost 43 killed, wounded and missing. Oct. 26, while on 
a reconnaissance from London, it became engaged in a severe action, 
losing 9 in wounded. Oct. 2S it was in camp at Lenoir, Tenn. 
From June 1, when the regiment left Covington, Ky., to Oct. 8, 
including marches of detachments, it marched 2,866 miles, and 
during the same time captured 574 prisoners and 652 horses, with 
a large amount of stores and equipments. The command lost one 
man killed, 57 prisoners, 108 deserters and 48 who died of wounds 
or disease during the year. In 1864 the 8th lost 13 killed and 72 
who died of disease. It fought on various fields during the first 
half year, and added more laurels to its name in the Georgia cam- 
paign. 

Died of Disease. — Antoine Ricalli, at Lexington, Ky., Apr. 7, 1804; Alexander 
Oliver, at Andersonville Apr. 12, 1864; Joshua Titus, at Camp Nelson, July 25, 
1864; Silas "Windless, at Andersonville, Dec. 18, 1864; Chris. Jackson, at Ander- 
sonville, Jan. 29, 1865; Welster Marsh, al, Andersonville, Nov. 20, 1865. 

Discharged. — 1865— Coldwell Arthur E., Cowell Wm., Guillotte Peter, Hernis 
Peter, Le Gault Albert, Marsh Geo. M., Murray Charles, Patton L., Heimer Carl. 

THE NINTH CAVALRY 

began its organization in the fall of 1862 % at Coldwater; and in 
May, 1863, left that rendezvous for Kentucky, leaving two com- 
panies to follow, on their completion. The muster-in rolls of the 
regiment contain 1,073 names. Proceeding to Hickman's 
bridge, it was ordered, June 12, in pursuit of Everett's guerrillas, 
who were overtaken at Triplett's bridge, routed, and a number of 
them captured. On the 4th of July, the regiment joined in the 
pursuit of the forces of Gen. John H. Morgan, who were at this 
time engaged in making their raid toward Ohio and Indiana. The 
regiment followed Morgan through Kentucky, and skirmished 
v\ith his rear guard at Lebanon. A detachment of the regiment, 
while on the pursuit, captured a Kent, colonel and 51 prisoners. 
Arriving on the 12th, atWestport, Ky., the regiment w r as divided. 
Part, embarking with a section of Battery L, 1st Mich. Artillery, 
landed at Cincinnati, joined the forces of Gen. Hobson, overtook 
and engaged Morgan's forces at Burlington's island, on the 19th, 
and captured 500 prisoners, 3 pieces of artillery, and a large num- 
ber of arms; over 2,600 prisoners being taken by the Union forces. 
Another detachment, with a section of the same battery, embark- 
ing at Lawrenceburg, Ky., on the 14th, landed at Portsmouth, 
Ohio, pursued the enemy in the direction of Chester, overtaking 
them and capturing prisoners. Joining the forces of Gen. Shackle- 
ford, at Burlington island, this detachment marched to Eight- 
Mile island, and engaged the enemy. Over 1,000 prisoners were 
here captured. The remaining portion of the regiment and battery 
proceeded to Covington, Ky., and was joined by two companies 
which had started with another detachment. Receiving orders on 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 377 

the 24th, to join in the pursuit of the portion of Morgan's cavalry 
that had escaped, this detachment proceeded by cars to Mingo 
Junction, on the Ohio river, thence marched to LaGrange and 
Steubenville, overtaking Morgan near Steubenville, July 25. 
The command Bkirmished with his force's, driving him during the 
night, and on the following morning succeeded in pressing him 
into an engagement, which resulted after a severe fight, in the 
complete rout of his forces, with a loss of 23 killed, 44 wounded, 
and 305 prisoners. Morgan, living with the remnant of his troops, 
was then chased, until, meeting with the forces under Gen. Shackle- 
ford, he surrendered. The regiment having again been united 
at Covington, proceeded to Hickman's bridge, and participated in 
the expedition of Gen. Burnside into East Tennessee, arriving at 
Knoxville, Sept. 3. From Knoxville it proceeded to Cumber- 
laud gap. On the 7th, a detachment of the regiment drove in 
the rebel pickets, entered the gap, and burned a large mill, on 
which the enemy depended to a great extent for subsistence. On 
the 8th, the rebels, 2,500 strong, with 14 cannon, surrendered to 
the Onion forces. Subsequently the regiment was engaged at 
Carter's Station. September 22; ZMllicofter, September 24; Blue 
Springs, October 5 and 10, and Raytown October 11. Since 
it arrived at Covington, Ivy., in May, 1862, the regiment marched 
nearly 3,000 miles, exclusive of marches by detachments while 
-(•muting and foraging. 

It lost 4 men killed. L8 died of disease, 11 were lost, and 9 were 
missing in action. The worst feature in connection with the 
organization is that during the year 1863 no less than 227 deser- 
ti<>n> were reported. During the year 1864 the losses were 14 killed, 
:»ii died of disease, and 20 missing. Its services in Tennessee, Ken- 
tucky, and Georgia were replete with good results. 

Tin' regiment entered on service at Triplett's bridge, Ky., June 
['.». L863, and completed its splendid labors round Pulaski Sept. 
22, L865, when it was mustered out. Returning to Jackson Sept. 
28, it was discharged. 

Oaaualtits. — Major T. Lockwood fell at Stone Mountain, Oct. 2, 1864; Win. 
Tindlater fell at Stone Mountain. Scut. 13, 1864; Robert Fischer died at Marietta, 
Oct. 3, 1864; .lolm R. Deesdiedat Atlanta. Oct.24, 1864. 

Discharged. — 1865 — Fisher James, Fisher John, Gruat Peter, Hammer Geo., 
Huntley Albert, Jackson John, Lam!) Henry, Lamb Paul, Lockwood Geo. N., New- 
man Mark. Sampson J., Shawbeissa J., Sims W. II., Smith John, Spencer Maurice, 
William W. P. 

THE TENTH CAVALRY 

was raised at Grand Rapids in September, 1863, and, under Col. 
Thaddeua Foote, left for Lexington Dec. 1, 1863, with a force of 
912 men and officers. It here encamped until Jan. 25, 1864, 
when it m<»ved t<> Hnrnside Point. April 26 the regiment was 
ordered to proceed thence to Carter's Station, and destroy the rail- 
road bridge over the Watauga river. Reaching Carter's Station on 
the 25th, after a severe engagement, it drove the enemy from a 



378 HISTOEY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

strong position occupied by them', but the rebels being posted in 
heavy force in fortifications on the opposite bank of the river, it 
was impossible to destroy the bridge without great loss of life, and 
the regiment was directed to retire. The casualties in this engage- 
ment were 3 killed, 8 wounded, and 3 missing. May 28, 160 of 
the regiment engaged in a reconnaissance, proceeding to Bull's gap 
and Greenville. Encountering a force of the enemy, the battalion 
engaged and routed them with severe loss, killing and wounding a 
large number, and capturing 26 prisoners and a number of horses 
and mules. July 23, the regiment took part in an engagement 
with a rebel brigade at Blue Springs, and after a sharp fight suc- 
ceeded in forcing the enemy from a strong position and in driving 
them in confusion through Greenville. The casualties of the regi- 
ment were 6 wounded, 2 of whom died of their wounds. During 
its absence on this expedition, on the 24th, the detachment, num- 
bering 60 men, left in garrison at Strawberry Plains, with about 
150 from other commands, were attacked by the rebel cavalry corps 
under Wheeler, numbering from 6,000 to 8,000 men, with 9 pieces 
of artillery. The Union troops made a successful defense against 
this force, and thus saved the post from capture and the great rail- 
road bridge from destruction. Eight men held the ford for three 
hours, and prevented a rebel brigade from crossing, and surrendered 
only after they were surrounded. Three men were wounded during 
the day. On the same day (24th) the detachment left at Knoxville 
charged a rebel regiment (11th Texas) near Flat creek bridge, and 
routed it, capturing its colonel and other prisoners, but coining 
suddenly on one of the enemy's cavalry divisions in line of battle, 
it retired. The enemy pursued, and succeeded in recapturing their 
men, and in taking a number of prisoners from the detachment. 
On the 4th of September the regiment participated in the sur- 
prising and routing of Gen. John IT. Morgan's forces at Greenville. 
In this engagement Gen. Morgan was killed and a large number of 
his men captured, among whom were Morgan's staff. On the 30th 
of September the regiment assisted in driving the enemy from 
their position at Carter's Station. The command participated in 
56 general and minor actions during its service. It reported at 
Jackson for discharge, Nov. 15, 1865. 

Died of Disease.— Geo. Smith, at Camp Nelson, Jan. 24, 1864: Curtis E. Whit- 
man, at Knoxville, April 13, 1864; L. H. Dunne, at Camp Kelson, March 14, 1865 

Discharged.— 1865— Jos. Allerj, W. M. BlackmaD, D. H. Chapman, W. Crane, 
J. C. Davison, H. H. Goodrich, H. Hewitt, Jacob Ripley, C. Tertz, Geo. I. 
Young. 

THE MERRILL HORSE, 

of which three companies were raised in Barry, Calhoun, Eaton, 
and Jackson, was organized in August, 1861. 

The command was mustered out, after a brilliant service, Sept. 
21, 1865. 

Officer. — Lucien B. Potter, Maple Grove, commissioned 2d Lieut., Co. I, July 
2, 1862; afterward 1st Lieut, of the same Co. 



HI8T0RY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 379 

i EB81 LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

Theodore Sanderson died at Jefferson ville, Ind., Jan. 23, 1865. Denis Gold- 
wood, Ferdinand Lebsch, .lames <;. Sanderson, Willis W. Dibble, A. Griffin, Hiram 
Wea den, Joseph Grasswiser, Fred Klais and Conrad Schwartz, were discharged 
August, 1866. Sam. Parker, of the Thirteenth Battery, mustered oul July 1, 1865, 
with the Battery. 

Dwight O. Booth, of the 2d Batterv, was disabled, and discharged April 19, 
1862. 

CONCLUSION. 

Immediately succeeding the commencement of hostilities the 
ladies of the county became thoroughly imbued with a sense of 
patriotism, formed a society to aid the sick and wounded Boldiers 
of the armies, and so organized that the society was made very 
effective. 

The citizens, whose military days were over, acted well their 
part. Cooperating with the State Military Board, they rendered 
most important aid to the Republic. 

The soldiers' history is one of duty done. The troops of Sagi- 
naw, attached to the regiments sent forward from this State, were 
Boldiers in the full acceptation of the term. When they are con- 
sidered, with what pride may their relatives and fellow citizens 
look back to the past, when such a number of gallant hearts went 
forth to offer themselves upon the altars of patriotism, to 
preserve the Republic. 

The most terrible fate threatened the truest federalization upon 
the earth. A visible enemy from within, aided by unnumbered 
enemies of liberty from without, conspired to destroy all that 
which the Revolution won. The soldiers who saved the Republic 
must live at least; in memory. Let the people of the present and 
the future follow in the tracks of their illustrious dead, and thus 
transmit, from generation to generation, a land of illimitable 
possibilities, a patriotism incorruptible, a government at once 
stroti:;: and just, a -id of public principles honorable to the age, 
that -,, it may offer happiness to its own citizens and teach the 
outside world the lesson of freedom. 

TIIK SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF Till: COUNTT. 

The soldiers and sailors of Saginaw county organized a Union 
with (apt. ('. I). Little. President; Capt. F. Ackley, First V. P.; 
('apt. Rev. Theodore Nelson. Second V. P. ; Capt A. Trask, Sec- 
retary: Major X. S Wood, Treasurer. The corresponding mem- 
bers for the townships and wards of the city were appointed as 
follows: 

Toicnships — St. Charles, Major Stimpson; Bryant, Geo. Waii. ; Chr>«an:n2:, I). YV. 
Damon ; Fremont, 8. B. Andrews; Maple Grove. Wm. Denean; Tittabawassee, 
Geo. Barbour ; Lakefield, 15. Nesserdew; Kochville, John A venaw ; Jamestown, 
Edwin Dunbar; Taymouth, N. McNallv; Blumfield, Barden; Thomastowh, Chas. 
Graham; Brady, A*. W. Tucker, sr.; Carrollton, D. Beard; Zilwaukee, R. Mc-„ 
Donald; Birch Run, Duane Osborne, Saginaw, Lucius Lacy. 



380 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Saginaw City— First Ward, Capt. A. T. Bliss ; Second Ward, Capt. E. C. Turner; 
Third Ward, Capt. Win. Reins; Fourth Ward, Capt. Henry Miller; Fifth Ward, 
Capt. E. St. John ; Sixth Ward, Lieu. O . T. Hosier. 

East Saginaw — First Ward, Capt. D. D. Keeler; Second Ward, L. C. Stoors; 
Third Ward, W. G. Gage; Fourth Ward, Col. Lockley; Fifth Ward, F. A 
Ashley; Sixth Ward,' W. L. Goulding; Seventh Ward, Dr. Rouse; Eighth Ward, 
Matt. Cranage. 

The committee on plan of organization comprised Capt. Shaw, 
Major Wood, Capt. Ackley, Capt. Stimpson, Sergeant Dumond. 

Major Wood, Major Stimpson and O. W. Damon, appointed a 
committee on constitution and by-laws, reported a constitution 
with the foil wing preamble: " This society shall be known as 
the Soldiers' and Sailors' Union of Saginaw County, and all sol- 
diers or sailors, now or hereafter residents of said county, are con- 
stituted members thereof, and the object of the society shall be 
the securing of closer social intercourse, and the promotion of the 
best interest of its members." This was adopted. 

Previous to organization 60 men, who participated in the 
war for the Union, assembled around the camp fires on the Fair 
Grounds, Saginaw City, and whiled away a pleasant time, char- 
acterized by a field dinner, bugle calls, etc. The meeting to or- 
ganize the union succeeded. It was presided over by Hon. D. 
H. Jerome with Capt C. D. Little, secretary. 

THE SECOND REUNION 

was held Sept. 15, 16 and 17, 1880. It was in every respect a 
thorough reunion of soldiers who had been in the field, endured 
all the hardships of war, and now wished to remind themselves of 
the ordeal through which they passed in their successful defense 
of the Union. The annual meeting was held on the third day of 
the reunion. Capt. Albert Trask was elected President; Charles 
F. Shaw, First V. P. ; E. A. Steinson, Second Y. P.; Rielly Jones, 
Secretary; Dr. Rouse, Treasurer and Surgeon; Charles D. Little, 
Orator. Capt. A. L. Bingham, Capt. Henry Miller and Lieut. O. 
T. Mosier were appointed a committee to take charge of the re- 
union of 1881, which was ordered to be held at Saginaw City, in 
the second week in October. This happy meeting closed with a 
sham battle or skirmish between the V eterans and the East Sag- 
inaw Rifles, in which the former were defeated. 

With the presence of so many veterans in the county, and large 
number of young men among the people, it is a matter of surprise 
to learn that only a few military companies are in actual existence. 
With the amendment of the military code of Michigan, there is 
every reason to hope for an increase in the number of military or- 
ganizations here. The new regulation provides for a division and 
a brigade organization; fixes the pay of all commissioned officers 
while performing any duty under orders at the rate allowed to 
officers of a like rank in the regular army; non-commissioned 
officers on duty, $1.75 per diem, and privates $1.25; provides for 
annual encampments, and fixes the pay at the same rate as for 



HI8T0RY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



381 



other duties, with an addition of 75 cents per day for subsistence. 
A temperance provision is also inserted, to the effect that any 
officer or enlisted man guilty of drunkenness shall forfeit all the pay 
which would be coming to him for the entire tour of encamp- 
ment. With such a code as this, there should not be a township 
of this county without a uniformed company. 




23 



CHAPTER XII. 

LUMBER INDUSTRY. 

The history of the rise of this industry throughout the Valley of 
the Saginaw must be as interesting as the trade itself is 
magnificent in its proportions. Never, perhaps, have the forests 
of any land approached the pine woods of Northeastern Michigan 
in extent or quality; never have they afforded such a field for the 
lumberman's enterprise, and never yet have so many advantages 
been conferred, directly, upon a single district as those conferred 
by them upon this region. The great industry may be said to have 
been inaugurated in 1834, when the first saw-mill in the Valley 
was erected in Saginaw City by Harvey Williams, for the purpose 
of supplying the early settlers with building materials, as the 
manufacture and shipment of lumber as a commodity of commerce 
from the Saginaw river had not at that time been thought of. 
Ephraim S. Williams joined ''Uncle" Harvey in this enterprise 
immediately after the latter erected the building and put in the 
machinery. It is stated that this milling concern was located 
south of the city mills, where the salt blocks of the Williams 
Brothers are located. The machinery was manufactured at Detroit 
by Harvey Williams, and was sufficient to run one muleysaw, and 
the single run of stone for custom grinding. This latter append- 
age of the mill was used to crack corn for the inhabitants : wheat 
was seldom or never introduced. The fly wheel was the same 
used on the old steamer "Superior,'.' the second steamboat on the 
lakes, about the year 1820. It was 11 feet in diameter, and in the 
steamer was fixed on a shaft distinct from the main shaft, and was 
geared to make three revolutions to each revolution of the paddle 
wheels. This large wheel and other machinery was brought over- 
land from DetroiUn 1834, by Mr. Williams. The difficulties at- 
tendant on the journey may be conceived from the fact that the 
sleighs, on which the machinery was loaded, were drawn through 
the Clinton river five times in a distance of nine miles. The first 
lumber ever manufactured in Saginaw Valley was cut at the Wil- 
liams mill, solely for home consumption, for at that time the idea 
of manufacturing pine lumber for export was but slightly, if to any 
extent, entertained. Mr. Bennett owned the mill a year or so, 
and afterward the property again came into the hands of E. S. & 
Gr. D. Williams, who held it until it was burned, July 4, 1854. 
This was the pioneer mill and pioneer property of the Valley. 

(382) 






HISTORY OF SAGINAW CGintv. 383 

THE KMKRSON MILT.. 

During the year 1836 another mill was built nearly opposite 
Saginaw City, known as the " Emerson Mill," considered at tb&t 
period as a model of the kind, having a capacity of 3,000,000 feet, 
and the first lumber shipment was made from this mill in 1830. It 
formed a building 55x120 feet, containing three upright saws, one 
butting saw, one edging table, one engine of 75-horse power, three 
boilers, each 18 feet long by 42 inches in diameter. This concern 
was perhaps the largest of the kind in the State. It closed down 
in 1856, two years after the burning of its predecessor. After 1836 
some attention began to be paid to the manufacture of lumber, but 
the panic that followed 1836 produced a lethargy that existed for 
some years, and it was not until 1849 that the business began to 
brighten up, and several mills were erected. In 1854 there were 
23 mills on the Saginaw river, with a capacity for 60,000,000 feet. 
The mills were of the cheaper class, the average cut being not over 
3,000,000 feet. In 1857 there were 44 mills in operation on the 
Saginaw river, manufacturing that year 113,700,000 feet of lumber. 
In 1867 there were 82 mills in operation, manufacturing that year 
123,963,190 feet of lumber. In 1870 there were 83 mills operated, 
the cut that year aggregating 576,726,600 feet, increased to 923,- 
000,000 feet in 1880. Notwithstanding the financial crisis of 
1836-'7 the pioneers labored on, until in 1849 they beheld the re- 
turn of prosperous times. Henceforth they were destined to 
tender a daily welcome to men of enterprise. The farmer as well 
as the lumberman was received warmly. The advent of labor 
and capital to the Valley, as witnessed 30 years ago, is thus de- 
scribed: 

"There is scarcely a day when there are not more or less parties 
here from the Eastern ckies, negotiating for mill sites, or purchas- 
ing pine lands, and the steady, rapid influx and tendency of capital 
now setting in this direction, while it is gratifying and exhilarating 
to those who have stood by the country in its days of poverty and 
destitution, leads naturally to the inquiry, bow long this fruitful 
and prolific resource of the present growth and prosperity of Sagi- 
naw, unprecedented as it is, and unnoticed and little understood at 
large through the State, is like to continue in view of the constant 
and immense drain upon it. This resource is derived chiefly from 
the tributaries of the Saginaw river, there being little or no pine 
upon the river proper, except to a limited extent, and of an inferior 
character, near to lower Saginaw. The Cass river, which empties 
into the Saginaw about two miles above Saginaw City, together 
with the tributaries making into it, passes through a belt of pine 
1"|> miles in length, and varying in width from one and a 
half to ten miles. 

" The logs when cut are hauled up to the banks of the small 
streams, and there await a high stage of water to be floated into the 
mainstream. These logs are not rafted, but are floated in bodies 



384 HISTOIiY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

of two or threp thousand and are boomed and chained together 
only when they reach the main river, thus materially saving ex- 
pense. It is a low estimate to say that each SO-acre lot of this 
almost endless tract of pine will yield 400,000 feet, and from this 
estimate, taking the dimensions of the tract, some guess may be 
made as to how long it will require to exhaust the pine. But Cass 
river is not the only resource of pine, neither is it the largest. The 
Tittabawassee river, and the Chippewa, Pine and Tobacco rivers, 
which empty into it, are all heavily clothed with the finest quality 
of pine. The aggregate length of the pine tract upon the main 
stream and the branches is 80 miles, and the width about five 
miles. There are more trees to the acre upon the Tittabawassee 
than upon the Cass, but the trees are not so large and do not pro- 
duce as much clear lumber as the former, but the quality of the 
lower grades is better. There is a large tract of pine land upon the 
Bad river (a stream which empties into the Shiawassee) 25 miles 
in length and from one to two miles in breadth. The quality is 
quite equal to that upon Cass river. 

" The Flint river and its tributaries has at least 100 miles 
in length of pine, lying in Saginaw, Genesee and Lapeer counties, 
with an average width rather greater than upon the Cass river. 
Though a very large portion of the pine upon this stream is of ex- 
cellent quality, being reduced by inferior kinds, it is not quite as 
high as that upon the Cass. 

"Taking the aggregate of these tracts, and reducing them to 
acres, and allowing the yield to be 5,000 feet to the acre, and at 
the rate of consumption of 100,000,000 per annum, it will yield a 
supply for upward of 39 years, from pine alone, aside from which 
the amount of oak timber is endless, together with large amounts 
of black walnut and white-wood, all of which will bear transporta- 
tion. t 

"There is now on hand, piled up, upon the docks, and ready for 
shipment at theopening of navigation upon the Saginaw river, 11,- 
000,000 feet of lumber of all qualities, averaging one-third of the 
first qualitiy, clear-stuff lumber, at an average value of $10, making 
in all $110,000. 

" The sawing season commences with the breaking up of the ice 
about March 20, and continues until the river closes again about 
the middle of December, making a season of about nine months. 

" The complement of hands for a 'single mill,' as it is called, 
driving the upright, one siding, and one edging and butting 
saw, is seven men for 12 hours, or 14 men off and on, 
where the mill runs night and day. The wages of these hands 
average a $1 per day, the head sawyer receiving $30, the engineer 
$40, and the sawyers and lumber pilers $20 per month, with board. 
A day's work is 12 hours. 

" The ' single mill,' as it is called, is looked upon by lumbermen 
as the most economical and proficable,for this reason, among others: 
that in case of a breakdown or derangement of the engine, only tli e 



IIIstuky OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 3S5 

time of half the number of hands is lost to the miller that would be 
in case of a double mill." 

SAW MILLS ON THE SAGINAW AND TRIBUTARIES IN 1853. 

The following brief sketches of the various mills in the Valley, 
clipped from a paper published in 1853, give an excellent idea of 
the extent of the milling business and refers to the enterprising 
men who began the development of the great lumber interest of 
this region: 

The first mill on the east side of the river is F. Millard's, which 
has two upright saws, one siding and flooring saw, and one edging 
and butting saw, and cut last season 3,000,000 feet of lumber. 

Gardner D. Williams' two mills are at Saginaw City, which is on 
the west bank of the river. The older of these mills drives one 
upright and one siding saw, with one buzz saw. The new mill 
which was finished last season, about Aug. 1, has one upright, one 
siding saw three feet diameter, with four buzz saws. They cut last 
season 3,000,000 feet of lumber. 

Emerson's mill, which was built in 1836, by Harvey Williams, 
Norman Little and others, on the east side of Saginaw river, at 
Buena Vista as Mr. Emerson has named it, has three upright, one 
siding saw, and two butting and edging saws, and cut last season 
between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 feet of lumber. 

John Gallagher's mill, half a mile below Emerson's, has one up- 
right, one siding and one buzz saw, and cut last season about 
1,500,000 feet. 

Garrison & Bristol's mill, which is the only one now in motion, 
was built by Little & Iloyt 80 rods below the last named, has two 
upright saws, one siding and one buzz saw, and one planing 
machine; it cut last season 1,500,000 teet of lumber. 

J. M. Edmonds' mill, half a mile below the last named, has one 
upright and one circular saw, and cut last year about 1,000,000. 

Westervelt's mill is at Carrollton, on the site of Chapin and An- 
drews', which was burned down last summer, together with the 
• locks and 4.000,000 feet of lumber. The new mill has two upright 
9aws, one 3 feet siding saw and four buzz saws. 

T. Whitney's new mill, which is now taking in the machinery, is 
on the west side of the river, below Saginaw City, and nearly oppo- 
site East Saginaw. It will run one upright, one 3-feet siding and 
four circular saws. 

Jeffrey's mill, which will start work when spring ope*":, is 80 
rods below Whitney's and is to run two upright saws. 

D. Johnson's mill at Zilwaukee, which is five miles down the 
river, on the west bank, and is upon a wholly different plan from 
the foregoing, having a gang of 25 saws, in one frame, set 
to cut lumber of all widths, passing through the log at once, and 
cutting up into inch, 1^ inches two and three-inch, or other 
dimensions, with one operation. There is no gigging back, but as 



386 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

fast as the log is worked through, another comes up to the saws, 
the log having first been sided or slabbed off by an upright saw. 
Aside from the gang saws, this mill drives two upright and six 
buzz saws. The cost of this mill was $40,000, and it cut last sea- 
son from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000 feet of lumber. 

D. Johnson's mill, which was built by Shephard, is below the 
former and has two upright and two buzz saws. 

Fisher & Johnson's mill, which was built by Purmont, has one 
upright and one buzz saw. 

D. Johnson has still another mill, at Zilwaukee, devoted wholly 
to making lath from the offal of the other mills. 

Water's mill is near Portsmouth, about 12 miles below East 
Saginaw, on the east bank of the river. It has two upright, one 
siding and two buzz saws, and cut last year 3,000,000 feet. 

Russell's mill, called the " old Portsmouth," was built by B. F. 
Towne and others in 1838. It has two upright, one siding and 
two buzz saws, and cut last year 3,000,000 feet. 

Russell's new mill, which is 20 rods below the old, has two 
upright saws and two buzz saws, and cut last season 1,500,000 
feet. 

Campbell & McCormick's mill is at Portsmouth, about half a 
mile below Russell's, and has one upright and two buzz saws, and 
cut last season 1.500,000 feet. 

Wm. Doty's mill is half a mile below the last named, and is now 
nearly ready to saw. It has two upright, one 3-feet siding, and 
five buzz saws. 

Stanton's mill, is at Lower Saginaw, half a mile below; it has 
two upright, one siding and four buzz saws, and cut last season 
about 1,500,000 feet. 

Frazer & Catlin's mill, so called, owned by Hugh Dunlap of 
Chicago, is 40 rods below the last named. It has two upright, one 
siding and buzz saws, and cut last year 3,000,000 feet. 

Frazer & Hopkins' mill, so called, owned by Hugh Dunlap of 
Chicago, is 40 rods below the last named. It has two upright, one 
siding and five buzz saws, and cut last year 3,000,000 feet. 

Mr. Raymond, formerly of Trenton, Mich., has a mill half a 
mile below the last, which has two upright, one siding and four 
buzz saws, and cut last season 2,500,000 feet. 

Drake's mill, so called, is owned by Judge Copeland and 
others, and stands on the west side of the river, near Lower Sagi- 
naw. It has two upright, one siding and five buzz saws, and cut 
last season 3,000,000. 

Whitney's mill, so called, owned by Judge Copeland and others, 
is at Bangor, just below the former. It has three upright, one 
siding and six buzz saws, and cut last season 5,000.000 feet. 

Partridge's mill, on the east side of the river, is nearly ready to 
run. It has two upright, one siding and five buzz saws. 

McEwen's mill, which is about three miles below the last, has 
two upright, one siding and four buzz saws, and cut last season 
3,000,000 feet. 



HI8T0RI OF SAGINAW nilXTV. 387 

There are two mills in process of erection at Lower Saginaw, and 
one above Saginaw City, near Millard's. There is one large steam 
flouring mill at East Saginaw, with four run of stone; also two 
steam planing machines. At Saginaw City there are two steam 
shingle mills, ami one of the same kind at Portsmouth. 

Aside from these is a steam mill new building by Hulsey, about 
L2 miles up the Tittabawassee river, capable of driving one upright, 
and two edging saws. 

Clark & Wisner's mill is at the forks of Bad river (which is a 
branch eft he Shiawassee'), about 14 miles above Saginaw City. 
This mill, which was built last season by Nelson \V. Clark, of 
Clarkston, and Moses Wisner, of Pontiac, has two upright, and one 
Biding saw. with three buz/ saws, and is capable of cutting 3,000,- 

feet of lumber. 

rey's mill, built by Smith & Gould, is at the forks of Bad river, 
and has one upright and one buzz saw. and can cut perhaps 1,000,- 
I 

Blackmar's mill is upon the Flint, abouteight miles from the 
mouth. It has one upright, and one buzz saw, and cuts about 1,- 

,000 feet. 

The Birch-Run mill is upon the plank road leading from Flint to 
Saginaw, about 15 miles from the latter place. There is a pine 
ridge here, which yields a most excellent quality of lumber, com- 
manding a high price. This mill has two upright, one siding and 
flooring, and two buzz saws, and cuts about 2,000,000 feet. 

There are two mills upon the Kawkawlin river, which empties 
into Saginaw Bay, two miles west of the mouth of Saginaw river. 
The first of these is a water mill, which cuts 3,000,000 feet, and 
the steam mill, which drives two upright and tw T o buzz saws, cuts 
•j. ooo. oho feet. These millswere both built by James Frazer, and 
are owned by him in company with others. 

Adding to the above the mills already in operation, Win, P. 
Doty 's mill, now being erected at Lower Saginaw, that in process 
of erection by Messrs. Baughman and Partridge, that in process of 
erection by Et. Moore, of St. Clair, and IT. J. vorce, just below the 
Bangor mill, by Judge Copeland, H. X. Walker, and Mr. Ripley, 
of St. Clair, that of Peter Rodgers, at Lower Saginaw, the Wester- 
velt mill at Carlton, Jeffers' mill and Whitney's mill opposite 
Easl Saginaw, and Corloss' mill, above Millard's, and there is no 
doubt that there will be cut in Saginaw county at least 90,000,000 
feet of lumber during thecoming season | L854). The sawing price 
for lumber was $4 per M. last season, at which price is included, 
of course, the wages of the men and incidentals. Of this amount, 
the mill, if energetically driven, and economically conducted, will 
save $2 per M. above all-making si So, Ooo. aside altogether from the 
profits of the lumber. The aggregate amount of the manufacture, 
estimated at s'.i per M.. which is alow average estimate, would be 
$810,000. 



388 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

MILLING INTEREST OF 1857- 

Within the five succeeding years, the lumber trade so increased 
that in 1857 no less than 58,500,000 feet of lumber was cut within 
the boundary of Saginaw county alone, and 53,700,000 in the 
Valley. The saw-mills of Saginaw county, in 1857, comprised 
dishing & Co.'s, Hill's, Curtis', D. G. Holland's, Gallagher mill, 
then operated by W. F. Glasby, Copeland & Co.'s, Whiting & 
Garrison's, the Atwater mill, all located at East Saginaw; J. A. 
Westervelt's, at Carrollton; the Johnson mill, operated by John 
Drake, and B. F. Fisher's mills, at Zilwankee; the Gang mill, G. 
D. Williams & Sons', and Curtis & King's mills, in Saginaw City; 
Bradley & Co.'s, and Wendal's mills, at the forks of Bad river; 
Morley's, Turner's and Fuller's mills, at Chesaning; Shaddock's, 
on the Tittabawassee; Hoyt's and Updike's mills, at Birch Run; 
and Hubinger's mills, at Frankenmuth, making a total of 24 
milling concerns in actual operation within Saginaw county in 
1857. Of this number, 20 mills were run by steam power, while 
Hubinger's, Fuller's and Turner's requisitioned water power. 

From 1857 to 1863 the advance of the lumber interests was not 
marked so much by the increase in number as in the capacity of 
the mills within this county. Between 1863 and 1866 the progress 
of the industry was remarkable. The later year was the mill build- 
ing era; large structures and modern machinery began to occupy 
the place of the more primitive concerns of earlier years ; new men 
joined the brotherhood of enterprise, and henceforth the work of 
the foresters was destined to proceed steadily on a comparatively 
certain basis. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



389 



The following table shows the location of the mills of this county, 
as well as the quantity of sawed lumber produced by each during 
the years 1863-'6: 



l.di \ Il( >.N OF MILLS 



8T. CHARLES. 

Kiinberly & Co 

I-Y. eman & Co. 

Mil ill SAGINAW. 

Dundy & Louman 

Sutherland's 

Rust & Engledew 

Curtis & Corning 

SAGINAW OITY. 

Green & Harding 

Foresl Valley S. & L. Co.. 

Heather & Allison 

Barnard & Co 

Thompson Bros 

Williams Bros., two mills. 
A. W. Wright* Co 

CARBOLLTON. 
Granl & Savior 

Chicago 8. & L. Co 

Merrill's Mills 

I 8 Gilbert 

Shaw & Williams 

Gould's Mill 

J. P. Allison 

Hale& Jerome 

Webster's 

ZILWAUKEE. 

Rust, Baton & Co 

Oneida S. A; L. Co 

FAST SAGINAW. 

Chapin & Sims 

E. Briggs. 

E. P. Sears 

G < Warner* Co 

C Lee, two mills 

W. I.. P Little & Co 

Jewell & Gordon 

H M McClaine 

Star Hill 

Warner & Eastman 



1863. 



1864. 



1,000,000 



3,500,000 



3,500,000 
4,000,000 



2,000,000 
2,200,000 

4,500,000 

500,000 

3,500,000 

4,000,000 

2,000,000 
3,000,000 



5,000,000 
3,000,000 
7,000,000 



3,200,000 
2,500,000 
5,700,000 



5,000,000 



4,000,000 



1,500,000 



7,000,000 
4,500,000 
1.100,000 
3,500,000 
2,700,000 



2,000,000 



4,000,000 
4,000,000 
8,778,000 

4,000,000 
4,000,000 
6,500,000 
5,500,000 
3,000,000 
3 500,000 
5,500,000 



1865. 



6,000,000 
1,433,000 

5,500,000 



2,000,000 
3,000,000 

5,250,000 

500,000 

3,500,000 

3,700,000 

3,500,000 
5,300,000 
2,500,000 

new mill. 
5,300,000 
5,600,000 

new mill. 

3,200,000 
3,300,000 
5,650,000 
5,300,000 
6,500,000 
3,000,000 
6,000,000 
new mill. 



6,500,000! 
5,700,000 
2,701,000 
4,000,000 
3,600,000 

1, (1110,000 

3.000,000 
2.700,000 



8,000,000 

5,000,000 
4,000,000 
7,000,000 
6,350,000 
4,300,000 
4,100,000 
3,300,000 
3,500,000 
200,000 
3,800,000 



1866. 



2,000,000 
2,500,000 

5,000,000 

l,. -,oo,ooo 

5,000,000 
3,600,000 

4,000,000 
4,000,000 
3,000,000 
5,000,000 
5,000,000 
6,500,000 
13,573,225 



3,500 
4,000 
5,300 
7,500 
8,000 
4,500 
6,500 
4,5(0 
7,000 



000 
000 
000 
000 
000 
000 
000 
000 
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7,670,000 
10,000,000 



7,000. 
5,300. 

0,600, 
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6,500, 
3,500, 
4,000 
4,500 
4,000, 
2,500 



000 
000 
000 
000 25 



000 
000 
000 
000 
000 



000 11 



The totals of these statistical columns, dealing with the Valley, 

arc ft8 follows: 



Total mills 83 

" muley saws. .61 
•■ circular saws, 79 
" gang saws. . .51 

Capacity, m;->.500,000 



Lumber cut in 70. .570.726,606 

Capital §3,991,000 

On hand, unsold . . . 82,560,190 

On dock, sold 47,862,000 

Logsinboom 30,138,462 



Men employed, 3,124 
Lath cut..'. ...61,287,500 
Lath on hand.. 5,794,000 
Picket- cut... . 891,620 



390 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



SUMMARY. 



The following statistical summary of the lumber business during 
the years 1871-'5, will be sufficient to show the state of trade in the 
Saginaw Yalley district during the first half of the last decade: 





1871. 


1872. 


1873. 


1874. 


1875. 




84 


112 


112 


105 


91 


" muley saws 


58 


54 


40 


41 


38 


" circular saws. . . . 


83 


98 


102 


100 


91 


" gang saws 


52 


57 


67 


67 


67 


Total number of saws. . 


193 


209 


209 


208 


196 


Capacity of mills, ft. . . . 


701,000,000 


801,000,000 


885,500,000 


805,500,000 


845,500,000 




529 682 878 


602,118,980 
$ 4,394,000 


619,867,021 
$ 5,O7(i,000 


584,632,771 
$ 4,808,000 


571 401,001 


Capital invested 


$ 4,238,000 


$ 5,033,000 


On hand, unsold, ft 


42,023,511 


111,894,353 


191,178,665 


190,017,663 


196,606,530 


On dock, sold, ft 


33,576,000 


40,928,200 


30,893,000 


23,135,000 


25,595,578 


Logs in mill boom, ft. . . 


11,989,264 


48,380,845 


62,628,078 


52,395,200 


51,845,800 


Men employed, No. . . . . 


3,140 


3,535 


4,071 


3,825 


3,583 




02,850,900 


76,951,800 


89,320,400 


73,675,950 


73,209,250 


Latli on hand, pes 


5,933,950 


7,127,950 


25,807,250 


8,517,350 


11,975,055 


Pickets cut, pes 


576,610 


93,750 


109,900 


644,000 


571,141 



The cut for 1876 exceeded that of the previous year by 2,549,770 
feet being 573,950,771. In 1877, the manufactured lumber of the 
Yalley aggregated 640,166,231 feet. The cut of 1878 fell behind 
that of 1877 by 86.003,504 feet, but advanced in 1879 to 736.106,000, 
and in 1880 to 863,356,009. 



HISTORY OF SAi.LNAW COUNT* 

STATISTICS FOR 1880. 



391 



The following is a statement of the lumber cut of the Saginaw 
river mills in Saginaw countv for 1880: 





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392 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



LOGS. 



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HISTORY OF SAi.IXAW COUNTY. 393 

The streams that have furnished- the logs for the Saginaw river 
mills, and in what is commonly termed the Saginaw lumber dis- 
trict, are the Cass, Flint, Shiawassee. Bad, Tittabawassee and 
tributaries. Kawkawlin, Rifle, Shore, Pine, Saginaw, Au Gres, 
An Sable and tributaries. The great bulk of logs, however, during 
the past years, have been furnished by the Tittabawassee and trib- 
utaries, and when this supply commences to diminish the back- 
hone of the log product will have been broken. The An Sable and 
tributaries contribute of late but few logs to the Saginaw mills. 
They are mamufactured at Au Sable, Oscoda, and other shore points, 
and rafted to lower lake points. The Au Gres contributes a por- 
tion of its stock to Tawas mills, but the bulk of Rifle and Au Gres 
- come to the Saginaw river. 

The Cass, Bad, Shiawassee and Flint, among the first lumbered, 
have passed out of calculation as log-producing streams, as a basis 
of supply, each contributing but a small amount. Although logs 
had been run out of Cass river previous to 1864 in large quanti- 
ties, the Huron Log Boom Company was not organized until that 
year, and has since handled the product of the stream, which has 
diminished from one hundred million feet to less than six million 
feet the past year. 

The main source of supply for the Saginaw mills, as stated, is 
the Tittabawassee and tributaries, which are the Chippewa, Tobacco, 
Molasses, Pine, Salt and Cedar. 

The Tittabawassee Boom Company was organized in 1804, and 
during the first vear of its existence rafted out 90,000,000 feet of 
logs. In 1S65 the product was 180,000,000 feet, and in 1866, 
186,000,000 feet were rafted. In 1867 the company rafted out 
and delivered 236,000,000 feet. The amount furnished this season 
however, exceeds any previous year. The Bad River Boom Com- 
pany rafted out 20,000,000 feet of logs in 1865, and 23,000,000 in 
1866. The Kawkawlin, Rifie and Au Gres Boom Companies were 
subsequently organized. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Briefly summarized, the rafting operations for the years desig- 
nated aggregate as follows: 

Feet. Feet. Feet. 

L861 189,807,806 I 1*72 645,285,878 I 1877 651,567,948 

446,960,583 | 1873 0X0,1)79,461 | 1878 558,079,674 

1869 521,350,663 ' 1874 589,825,404 1879 755,1 s?.r>sf! 

1870 623,397,353 i 1875 584,843,701 | 1880 923,874,8'i I 

L871 521,796,927 | 1876 578,829,472 | 

Not enumerated in the amount rafted in 1879 from the streams, 
182,586, was 25,000,000 from the Shore, Pine and Saginin;and 
24,300,000 in 1880, would make the grand totals for the past 
two vear,: L879, 780,182,286 feet; L880, 948,174,274 feet. 

In the foregoing statement of the amount rafted during 18S0, 
all of the logs handled by the Bad River Boom Co., for convenience, 



394 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

are included in the estimate for that stream, although all of them 
do not properly belong to that stream. The total number of logs 
rafted out of the Bad river boom in 1880, was 39,327, scaling 
4,877,570 feet. The total number of logs rafted out of the Bad 
river, Shiawassee, Flint, Swan creek and Ferguson bayou, was 
66,039, scaling 9,568,139 feet. The latter are the figures em- 
braced in the tabulated statement. In addition to the amount 
given as rafted, 922,583,664 feet, there came out of the Shore Pine 
18,000,000 feet, and out of the Saginin 6,300,000 feet, making a 
grand total of logs rafted, as stated above, of 948,174,274 feet. 

LOGS HELD BACK. 

The foregoing figures represent the logs handled by the respective 
boom companies on the streams named. It is estimated that there 
is now in the limits of the Tittabawassee Boom Co. 35,000,000 feet 
of logs, and there is 79,759,100 in the mill and store booms. Added 
to the 580,290,610 feet rafted, the 35,000,000 in the boom limits 
would make a total product of 615,290,610 feet. At the close of 
operations in 1879 there was held back in the Tittabawassee boom 
limits 65,000,000 feet of logs, and at the close of operations in 1878 
there was held back 21,900,000 feet of logs. At the close of oper- 
ations in 1879 there was in the mill booms of the Saginaw river 
31,700,000 feet of logs. As each of the several streams contributed 
to the amount now in the mill booms, and they are rafted and 
delivered, they are of course included in the foregoing tabulated 
statement. 

The amount rafted from the An Sable and Sable Pine is given 
at 138,500,000 feet. There is in the boom and boom limits 
17,000,000 feet, which, added to the amount rafted, makes a total 
for those streams of 155,500,000 feet. At the close of operations 
on the An Sable in 1879, there was a stock of 13,000,000 feet in 
the booms. 

There was rafted on Rifle river, as shown in the table, 79,314,651 
feet. There was left in the boom at the close of operations this 
season 3,573,438 feet, and in the river 8,000,000 feet, which added 
to the amount rafted as given in the tabulated statement gives the 
total for the stream 90,888,089 feet. 

There is 500,000 feet in the An Gres boom, and about 5,000,000 
in the river, which added to the 95,719,614 feet rafted, makes a 
total for the stream of 101,219,614 feet. Of the amount rafted 
from the Au Gres, about 10,000,000 feet went to Tawas, and the 
balance came to the Saginaw river. Of the Au Sable stock only 
2,000,000 feet came to the Saginaw river. 

RAILROAD LOGS. 

During the year 1880 the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad 
hauled 87,485,547 feet of pine logs, of which 58,205,194 feet came 
direct to the Saginaw river. The Mackinaw division of the Mich- 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



395 



igan Central railroad also hauled 
1880 about 15,000,000 feet oflogs. 



to the Saginaw river during 



SHINGLES. 



This branch of the lumber trade may be said to have been 
inaugurated in 1852, and to have been ushered into public notice 
in 1853, when 6,650 M. were shipped out of Saginaw river. The 
following year, 10,000,000 were manufactured and shipped at prices 
ranging from $2.25 to $2.50 per thousand. Since that period this 
industry has grown prodigiously, reaching 120,600,000 in 1872, 
and meeting with an annual increase until 1880, when it rose to 
241. 075, 160. Following is a summary statement of shingles man- 
ufactured in the Saginaw Valley since 1872: 

1872 120,000 000 I 1875 124,030,240 I 1878 15:3,989,750 

1873 130,(518,550 | 187(5 132,179,750 1879 218,934,000 

1874 130,631,500 | 1877 107,806,750 | 1880 241,075,160 

During the year 1880, the shingle factories of the county were 

as follows: 



N. & A. Barnard 

Francis Kelly 

Geo. Davenport 

A. T. Bliss & Bro 

D. McLeod 

Martindale Bros 

B. M. Hosmer 

A. B. Wiser 

C. &E. TenEyck.... 
Warner & Eastman. . 

Jno. (t. Owen 

W 1 & Reynolds. . . 

Wylie Wii^ 

Melchers & Nerreter. 
LaDue & Phinney. . . 

J. W. Pel rin '. ... 

Brand & Hardin 

G. V. Turner & Son.. 
V Andrews 



Capacity. 



15,000,000 

3,000,000 

6,000,000 
10,000.000 

7,000,000 
18,000,000 
10,000,000 

1,500,000 
20,ti00,0('0 

5,000,000 
500,0' 
25,000,000 
26,000,000 
10,000,000 
20,000,000 
13,000,000 

7,000,000 
12,000,000 

8,000,000 



Amount cut, 

1880. 



13,750,000 
2,700,000 
4,000,000 
8,500,000 
6,400,000 

15,500,000 

9,930,000 

840,000 

21,963,250 

3,000,000 

327,750 

18,000,000 

25,500,000 
2,050,000 

14,000,000 

12,000,000 
6,571,000 

11,000,000 
7,050,000 



Amount on 

hand at close 

of season. 



2,750,000 
350,666 

Voo',666 

1,200,000 



1S,000 
883,750 



3,000,000 
2,300,000 

350,666 



500,000 



STAVES. 



The first stave yard in the county was established in the winter 
of l s ~>ii-'l, by Henry Shaw, of Mt. Clemens, acting as agent for a 
company of capitalists, consisting of E. G. Merrick, of French 
creek, on the St. Lawrence, Nickels and Whitcomb, and Hiram 
Merrick, of Detroit. 

From 1850 to 1854 little actual work was performed by the com- 
pany. In the latter year, however, one hundred thousand Quebec 
butt staves, worth, delivered on the bank of the river, $50 per M., 
and 300 M. hogshead and pig staves, worth about $25 per 1,000, 
were manufactured. 



396 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Ten years later this industry produced 3,000,000 staves, manu- 
factured throughout the Valley, and in 1873 reached its greatest 
height, 9,568,898 staves being made. 



OAK AND SQUARE TIMBER 



was begun in 1869 by Canadian lumbermen. The product of the 
first year was 765,000 cubic feet. In 1873 the shipment of oak 
timber alone reached 3,231,920 feet. 

Of manufactured lumber the product of the Saginaw river mills 
from 1863 to 1880 is set forth as follows: 



Feet. 

18G3 133,580,000 

1864 215,000.000 

1865 250,139,340 

1866 349,767,834 

1867 423,963,190 



Feet. 

1869 523,500,830 

1810 576,726,606 

1871 529,682,878 

1S72 602,118,980 

1873 619,867,021 



Feet. 

1875 571,558,273 

1876 573,950,771 

1877 640,166,231 

1878 574,162,757 

1879 736,106,000 



1868 457,396,225 1874 573,632,771 1880 863,356,009 

The following statement shows the aggregate shipments of lum- 
ber and shingles from the opening of navigation to the close in the 
years named: 

Lumber, ft. Shingles. 

1868 430,128,100 74, 141,050 

1869 474,912,425 86,878,500 

1870 487,489,268 130,448,490 

1871 516,629,474 142,661,500 

1872 492,834,990 87,204,500 

1873 452,768,562 38,521,500 

1874 448,707,052 82,154,500 

The record of the lumber on the mill docks on the 
river, at the close of each season during the past sixteen years, is 
as follows: 



Lumber, ft. Shingles. 

1875 445, 14!), 155 117,832,500 

1876 455,227,252 105,743,050 

1877 539,886,047 162,504,250 

1878 525,282,098 187,699,380 

1879 678,298,866 222,602,731 

188( 769,573,000 168,145,400 



Saginaw 



1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
18(18. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 



On dock. 
.44,453,000 
.44,415,700 
.69,969,771 
.67,401,017 
.93,331,614 
130,482,190 
.75,599,511 
152.822,55:! 



Sold. 
22,3'i2,000 
14,211,000 
19,4:55,571 
13,402,990 
14,526,000 
47,862,000 
33,576,000 
40,928,200 



Unsold. 
19,091,000 
30,204,700 
50,534,200 
53,998,027 
7^,805,514 
82,560,100 
42,023,511 
111,894,353 



1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 



On dock. 
222,071,665 
213,152,663 
223,202,108 
224,546,657 
245.935.5 2 
247,572,383 
221,864,595 
295,870,633 



Sold. 
30,893,000 
23,135,000 
26,595,578 
30,000,000 
23,511,666 
18,640,280 
85,647,837 
92,103,596 



Unsold. 
191,178,965 
190,017,663 
196,606,530 
194,546,657 
222,323,856 
2 -'8,932,103 
136,216,758 
203,667,037 



COMMERCIAL HISTORY. 



The foregoing descriptions and statistics are evidences of prog- 
ress, driven faster by enterprise, which cannot be mistaken. 
Scarcely a half a century has passed since the forests of this land 
were mere shades for the trapper and hunter; but all this has 
changed; the woods yield up their wealth, and give present employ- 
ment to tens of thousands of honest laborers, while in preparation 
for thousands of thrifty settlers. 

In closing this section of the book, the following review of the 
lumber market of the valley, for a series of years, is given. Taken 
from statistics, compiled by Messrs. Geo. F. Lewis, C. B. Headlv. 







?^^A-^_ 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 399 

and in later times for the Courier, it appears to be as precise in 
Statement a> it is instructive and useful. On that account it is 
selected as a most appropriate conclusion to a most important 
chapter in the history of this comity. 

••In L858 the accepted market value of No. 1 and 2 (ass river 
logs, was $4 per M feet, and sales were made as low as $2.25. 
The price of lumber then was $3, $6, $8, $12 and Sis per M. and 
a portion of the product that year sold as low as $2.50, $5, $7, 
$10 and $15 per M. As late as 1860, the three upper qualities 
Bold together at $9, and in many instances as low as $8 per M. 
And it should be recollected in those days only the cream of the 
logs were manufactured, the skinning- process being reserved for 
later days, greater demand and scarcity of the better qualities of 
pine lumber. Early in the season of 1863, sales of lumber were 
made at $3, * s ami sit;, and later in the same year the price 
advanced to $4.50, $9 and $18. During the season of 1864, sales 
were made at $5, $1<». si;,, S2n to $25, and prices gradually 
advanced until 1st!?. 1 during the season, notwithstanding the surplus 
of stock as compared with the requirements of trade, lumber ruled 
firm at $6, $12 and $40 for culls, common, and upper qualities. 

•• The season of 1 868 was characterized by a fair degree ofactivity, 
and a larger manufacture than any previous year in the history of 
the manufacture on the Saginaw river. Prices held quite evenly 
at $6, $12 and $35, some exceptional lots selling a shade higher 
than these quotations. 

"No year between 1861 and 1870, was so unsatisfactory to lum- 
bermen as that of L869, no year involving so many losses to the 
-mallei- operators, none wherein the margin of profit to those doing 
an entirely " solid " business, whose resources were ample, and 
whose facilities were such that they could take advantage of every 
favoring circumstance of the market and shipment, were so slight. 
In fact the Saginaw Valley was in 1869 the 'backbone' of the 
lumber business of the entire Northwest, and, but for the right 
position taken by its leading manufacturers and held against all 
assaults, and under a weight which only needed the 'last feather" 
t'i crush the entire superstructure, the lumber business would have 
touched bottom, and demoralization taken place. Prices ranged 
"luring the year for the better grades of lumber at $6, $12, $35, 
$5.50, $ I 1 ami s.",:;. and coarser grades being sold at less figures, 
ami in many instances good stock was shaded. 

"The lumber market of the Valley during 1870, while not as 
satisfactory as desired, was n,, t characterized by the fluctuations to 
the extent of the previous year and the movement was more uni- 
form. The short crop of logs put in the previous winter, was the 
primary cause of a more healthy condition of the market both in 
volume of business and prices. The season opened weak and 
rather unsettled at $5.50, $11 and $33, and during the summer. 
selling down as low a LO, $30 to 32. The market, however, 

rallied in the fall and closed strong at $6, $12 and $35, with the 
good stock nearly all picked up. 

24 



100 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

k 'The market opened in 1871 with a doubt as to the actual 
quantity of logs which had been put in during the winter, and 
under the influence of the uncertainty, prices stood at $6, $12 and 
$35, until, as conviction became a certainty, a gradual advance re- 
sulted until $7, $1-1 and $38 became the ruling quotations, while 
$8, $16 and $10 were obtained for some lots. With a firm and 
rising market, lumber was held firm, the log market kept pace 
with lumber, and at the close of the season, logs sold as high as $16 
per M. The short crop of logs and an unusually active demand 
for the lumber product were the chief factors in producing this 
satisfactory condition of the market. 

" The season of 1871 closed favorable, with a comparatively 
small stock of lumber on hand, available for the market of 1872. 
The great fire at Chicago had swept away 60,000,000 feet of stock, 
a large number of mills had been destroyed, and there was an in- 
creased demand everywhere for lumber. As one of the incentives 
for lumbering, large tracts of pine had burned over during the fall 
of 1871, and to save the timber, it was necessary to cut it. Conse- 
quently an unusually large stock of logs was put in during the 
winter of 1871-'2, but it did not all come out ; many of the logs 
were banked on small streams where, under most favorable cir- 
cumstances, water was scarce. The dry weather of the previous 
season, and light snow and rainfall during the fall and winter left 
the swamps dry, and in consequence the ' spring freshet ' did not 
pan out as well as expected. The first lot of logs down was but 
a fraction of the quantity banked, and notwithstanding men were 
kept in the woods half the season in expectation of a second 
'freshet,' a large number of the logs were left back with the pros- 
pect of ' hopelessly hung up ' written on the log account of manu- 
facturers. Prices opened during the year at $7, $11 and $35, for 
the grades of culls, common and uppers, and closed at about $7. 50, 
$15 and $37. A large number of sales were reported during the 
season at $8, $16 and $10, and a strong effort was made to hold 
these prices, but the high rate of freights during the latter part of 
the season tended to crowd prices down. Among the circumstances 
calculated to operate unfavorably upon the market was the 
necessity of putting in stock that had been burned, the high price 
of labor in consequence of an unusual demand therefor, and the 
extra expense of getting the logs out by reason of low water. A 
strike of mill employes which came about the middle of the season, 
lasting three weeks, and causing a partial suspension of operations 
was alike detrimental to the manufacturer as well as the employe. 
But for the unusual demand for lumber, the panic of '73 would 
undoubtedly have been inaugurated to some extent among the 
lumbermen of the valley a year earlier. 

' " The history of the lumber marketof the Saginaws during 1873 is 
one that causes no pleasurable emotions on the part of the reviewer to 
refer to. For 10 previous years the trade had in the main been pros- 
perous, each year recording an increased production and a fairly main- 
tained range of values, which to the commencement of the winter 



HISTORY OF S A GIN AW COUNTY. 1 1 

of L872 '•"• liad stimulated Lumbermen to their utmost exertions. 
The winter named was no exception to its predecessors, although 
a feeling was general that the production wajs in excess of the de- 
mand ot trade. The opening of navigation in 1 873, found the mill 
docks stocked with L91, 173, 665 feet of unsold lumber which had 
been wintered over, with a light demand, and it soon became 
apparent that a season <>t unusual dullness was to be experienced. 
Few >a!e> were made in the spring, however, at less than $6, $12 

ami $35. The failure of Jay Cooke & Co., in September, precipi- 
tated the panic, and a general breaking down of values in all 
classes of products. A- a consequence, lumber sympathized and 

prices went down to $5, $10, and $30 for choice, and sales were 
made of ordinary run of stock at $4, $8, and $28 to $30. The 
panic also caused a practical suspension in the demand, so far as 
activity could he regarded. The depression had one good effect, 
and that was to crowd a Large number of operators out of the woods 
during the winter of lS73-'4, and naturally checking the produc- 
tion, and ultimately paving the way for the ' better times/ 

■• The season of 1^74 affords no feature for the reviewer not in- 
cluded in the remarks relative to the season of 1873. Prices ruled 
as low as during the previous year, and in many instances manu- 
facture was carried on at a h>>>. 

"The season of 187.» opened with a stock of 190,017,663 feet of 
unsold Lumber on dock, with large accumulations at the principal 
distributing points . As a result the continued depression fell in 
all circles of business, causing but little demand for lumber pro- 
ducts, coupled with the strenuous efforts to get out a large stock of 
. tended to cause the home market to open dull, and a stagna- 
tion was a marked feature of tin- year's business. Despite earnest 
efforts to maintain the prices of the previous year, it early became 
apparent that the holders would he obliged to submit to a reduc- 
tion, if they would realize on their stocks. The demand from, 
abroad was SO nearly tilled by the heavy shipments of the pre- 
vious tall, made possible by the extremely low rates offreight then 
prevailing, that the early season was marked by an almost universal 
reversing of the laws which had governed the trade, and when it 
was found that buyers did not freely seek the producers, the 
holders of stock were fain by themselves or their traveling agents to 
seek out the consumers. This state of facts brought with it another, 
evil. Consumers, or rather distributors, who.had heretofore been 
compelled to make their purchases upon a cash basis, now be- 
came dictators of terms to the sellers, and as a result, while every 
other branch ot' industry was rapidly assuming a strictly cash basis, 
the Iu mber trade was forced into thechannels of credit, and pur- 
chases on time became the rule to such an extent that sales on six, 
nine, and even L2 months were not unusual. Mean time one con- 
cession leading to another, prices drooped until from the prevail- 
ing prico of si;, $12 and $35 of the early spring and previous fall, 
a decline of at least two dollars per thousand, and in some cases 
more, became a fixed fact, some sales being made at $4.50, $9 and 



402 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



with a few sales of small dimension staff as low as $7 and 
tlie market quotations being fairly, at from $5, $10 and 
to $5.50, $12 and $33, although extra nice lots were 
occasionally as high as the old figures of $6, $12 and $35. This 
state of things continued to the close of navigation, to the dis- 
couragement of the producers, of whom it is safe to say that on the 
average the debit side of the profit and loss account was the largest 
for the season's business. 

"The evils of the credit system which had been inaugurated were 
not slow to manifest themselves in the shape of dishonored paper, 
of which it is estimated that fully a quarter of a million dollars 
were thrown back upon the hands of those, in the Saginaw Yalley 
alone, who had looked upon promises to pay as better than stock 
on hand. Notwithstanding all the discouragements of trade, which 
marked the entire season, few failures were noted among operators, 
and those in the main have been caused by misfortunes outside 
of the usual channels of trade, such as the crippling effects of 
heavy losses by fire, in the destruction of mill property, in several 
cases causing disaster, which, combined with the depressed state of 
trade, could not be overcome. As a class the mill men stood up 
under the disastrous condition of trade incident to the panic and 
following years of stagnation in a manner entitling them to the 
appellation of ' solid' to a degree exceeded by no class of men in 
any branch of industry. 

''The stagnation incident to the hard times was felt through the 
season of 1876. The prices of lumber ranged from $1.50, $9 and 
$28, to $6, $12 and $30. An average through the season was 
$5.25, $11.50 and $30. A large quantity was sold during the 
season, the shipments aggregating over 500,000,000 feet. Despite 
the hard times the season made a better showing as regards lumber 
moved than any previous one. 

"The evils characteristic of an extended credit system of two or 
three previous dull years were in a measure remedied during 1877, 
and there were no financial reverses of magnitude; the product 
showed an increase over the previous year, and the season in ship- 
ments was an active one. The market showed very little fluctua- 
tion during the season, the range being $5, $9 and '$25, to $6, $12 
and $28. For exceptional lots in some instances an advance on 
these figures was obtained. 

" The lumber market in the spring of 1878, stimulated by an 
open winter and a consequent shortage in the log crop, opened 
strong at $6, $12 and $28, and $6.50, $13 and $28 to $30, while 
for exceptional lots higher prices were realized. These conditions 
were maintained and prices ruled firm until about the first of Sep- 
tember, when quite unexpectedly the demand for lumber stocks 
dropped off, prices declined, and the market ruled weak to the 
close. Prices closed from $1 to $1.50 per M lower than the open- 
ing of the season, the nominal quotations being $5 to $5.50 for culls, 
$10 to $11 for common, and $26 to $27 for uppers. The cause of 



HI8T0RY OF SAGINAW COUNTV. 403 

this decline was attributed to summer logging which was carried 
on upon a hitherto unprecedented scale. 

••At the opening of the shipping season of 1879, quotations were 
.50, $10to $10.50,and $25 to $27. The market was sluggish 

until June, when the ' boom' 9truck the Valley, followed by more 
activity than before during any of the years following the panic. 
The closing quotations were $6.50, $13 and $28, with $7, $14 and 
$30 for selected Btocks. 

•• A notable season in the history of the lumber trade, consider- 
Lng tlu' amount ofbusiness done and the steadiness of prices and 
the demand forstock, is that of L880. The figures on the books of 
the custom bouse show that more lumber has left the Saginaw river 
by vessels than during any other year in the history of the trade 
in this district. The tabulated statement elsewhere shows also a 
larger producl of lumber and logs than ever before recorded in the 
history of the trade. The season of 18S0 opened with uncertainty 
and doubt, clouding the minds of dealers in nearly every locality 
excepl the Saginaw district. Eere the wide-awake and intelligent 
manufacturers seem to have grasped the situation with a clearness 

oft iprehension which gave them confidence, and resulted in a 

firmness and uniformity of views that proved of great benefit. 
While dealers, cast and west, looked for a breakin prices, the man- 
ufacturers of Eastern Michigan held steadily to their faith that an 
increased demand would maintain and even increase rates, and 
they have had the satisfaction of having their judgment vindicated 
by the logic of events. The demand for lumber stocks at the East 
has been unprecedentedly large, so much so that not only have 
the re-. Hirers of the Saginaw Valley and the various Canadian 
sources of supply been taxed to their utmost capacity to meet it, 
hut tin- Northwest has been drawn upon to quite an extent. 

"There were, it is true, some casual causes for the extra de- 
mands of the eastern market upon the west. There was a 
falling off in the supply from the chief producing districts ot 
the East, the streams in Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut 
and Pennsylvania failing to bring down the logs put into them. 
The supply of spruce from the St. Lawrence was also somewhat 
limited. Nevertheless, it was undeniable that the demands of the 
eastern market have been unusually large. It is gratifying to 
know that it has not been a speculative one, but that the lumber 
which has --one thither has been required to meet the wants of con- 
Burners. It has been a season of general prosperity in the trade, 
and if the profits of the dealers have not been as large as to per- 
centage, the difference lias been more than made up by the amount 
of business done. The manufacturers have made money, and there 
is no denyingit. Their profits have been good, and the Saginaw 
producers have probably done better than those of any other sec- 
tion, because they have held their stock firmly and resisted every 
effort of the bears to depress prices. 

"The shipping season opened in March, and up to May 1st, 
over si i.mimi.i loo feet of lumber had gone forward by water. " The 



401 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

market ruled firm the entire season at $6, $12 and $30 for ordinary 
stock, while good stock sold readily at $7, $11 and $30 to $32. 
Choice grades sold at $7.50, $15 and $35, and in some instances 
$8, $16 and $36 were realized. 

" The season was noted for a scarcity of the best grades of lum- 
ber, and toward the close dealers were unable to nil orders for 
that class of stock. The stock on dock of coarse lumber is larger 
than usual, but it is now in better demand, and there will be com- 
paratively a small quantity of marketable lumber on the dock at 
the opening of navigation, unsold. 

"Since the close there has been an active request, and from 
50,000,000 to 75,000,000 has been sold for shipment next season, 
while some choice lumber has been purchased for next season's de- 
livery yet in the woods." 

The operations in the lumber market during 1881 give promise 
of a magnitude never reached hitherto. During the winter the 
woods were alive with lumbermen, the river, for a distance of 20 
miles, is one vast lumber city, and the prospects of trade as good 
as at any period in the history of the Saginaw lumber market. 

THE REGION OF ILLIMITABLE POSSIBILITIES. 

For many years past the pine forests of Michigan have afforded 
much material for the mathematician as well as lumberman. A 
score of years ago and wise men said the timber region would dis- 
appear within 15 summers; a few more years passed, and the 
speculative philosopher stated the supply almost exhausted; but 
still the pine woods survive as if to prove that their resources are 
incalculable. About 12 years ago Hon. John F. Driggs prepared 
a paper on the timber and minerals of the State. There was no 
reason whatever to suppose that his conclusions on the timber 
question were narrow or confined; on the contrary, the great major- 
ity of those who read that paper were inclined to believe that the 
pine would give out much sooner than the time which he stated it 
would last. He said: " It has been ascertained that in the year 
1868 there was cut in the entire State, 1,600,000,000 feet, Saginaw 
Valley and the Bay Shore producing about one-third of the whole 
amount. Making what I suppose to be a low estimate, that the annual 
production in the whole State in the past 18 years has been 100,- 
000,000 feet, the entire product within that period has been 7,200,- 
000, 000 feet. Placing the average yield at 3, 750 feet to the acre, and 
at 300,000 feet to the 80-acre lot, we find the enormous number of 
1,920,000 acres from which the pine has been removed in this State. 
Estimating the entire amount yet standing in Northern Michigan, 
including the Upper Peninsula, at double the amount, say 1,000,000 
acres, the future yield will be 15,000,000,000 feet, and at the present 
price of $15 f M, will be worth in market $225,000,000. The timber, 
shingles, etc., will bring at least $75,000,000 more, making the 
pine in the forests of Northern Michigan produce the vast sum of 
$300,000,000. This 1,000,000 acres of standing pine, at the pres- 



HISTOBV. OF SAGINAW OOTJNTT. 405 

en1 rate of exhaustion, will all lie cleared in 12 or 14 years. But 
as heretofore the pine has been mostly cut on streams accessible 

for punning logs, and as much of the remaining timber, both in the 
Lower and CTpper I 'en insula, is found in sections too distant from the 
water-courses to make them available tbr that purpose, the supply 
from such Localities musl depend upon future railroad and other 
facilities for transportation to market. Until such means are af- 
forded, the annual yield must soon he diminished, and this ma\ 
prolong the entire exhaustion of white pine in the State for a period 
of 1^ or 20 years; hut beyond that it is hardly possible. " 

Three year- ago (1878) another gentleman, thoroughly convers- 
ant with' the pine region, made the subscribed estimate of the 
amount <>f timber yet standing: 

,rn -here from Sebewaing to Algouac, including Flint, Lapeer, 

and ( lass rivers 1,500,000.000 

Rifle river 3,500,000,000 

La Sable 3,000,000,000 

Thunder Bay and Shore 3,000,000,000 

( Sheboygan. 1,000,000,000 

Manistee 6,000,000,000 

From Manistee to White river, including Pere Marquette river ... 4,000,000,000 

Mu>kegon 3,000,000,000 

Grand river 1,000,000,000 

■i aw and tributaries, excepting Cass and Flint rivers 6,000,000,000 

Upper Peninsula, which includes the Monistique, Escanaba, Stur- 
geon. White Fisli and intermediate points 10,000,000,000 

Bmafler districts not included 2,000,000,000 

Tt >tal 43,000,000,000 

These figures must be purely speculative; yet they come nearer 
the reality than any hitherto furnished. He who said, "There is 
no means of knowing how much timber is yet standing," is secure 
in his assertion. One might as well endeavor to sink a shaft to 
China as try to compile a statement of the probable amount of tim- 
ber now standing that lumbermen who are acquainted with the for- 
ests of Michigan would believe. In 1868 it was estimated that there 
was -tamling 4,000,000 acres in the State, which at the rate of ex- 
haustion, then 400,000feet annually, would exhaust the product in 
L2 to 14 years, and 1^ year- was placed as the utmost limit. 
Twelve of the L8 years have passed since these figures were made, 
during which the product has exceeded 1,000,000,000 feet yearly, 
and during the past three year- more than doubling these figures. 
yet lumbermen -till look ahead for 10 or 12 years. (ait fully as large 
as at present. The pine region is now opened up to the explorer; 
railroads enter it- very heart, and as it becomes better known, it 
would not be subject for surprise to Learn that timber exists in such 
quantities as to insure a continuance of supply until the beginning 
of the 20th century. 

The timber districts of the Peninsula are known as the Saginaw 
Valley, Saginaw Bay, An Sable. Thunder Bay, Cheboygan, Grand 
Traverse, upper and Lower Manistee. Pere Marquette, Muskegon 
and Grand river. The Saginaw Valley district embraces the 



406 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

counties of Tuscola, Lapeer, Genesee, Saginaw, Gratiot, Isabella, 
Gladwin, Clare and Midland, drained by the following tributaries 
to the Saginaw river: Flint, Bad, Cass, Pine, Chippewa, Tobacco 
and Tittabawassee. Of these streams, the Flint and Cass, once 
extensively lumbered, are now rapidly declining and cease to be 
reckoned as important contributors to the stock of logs required for 
the cut of the Saginaw river mills. The Chippewa and Pine have 
also been largely lumbered and the principal timber is well up on 
the headwaters and on small tributaries. There is yet a ridge of 
timber running northeast from the headwaters of Flat river, in 
Montcalm county, and covering the headwaters of the Pine, the 
Chippewa, the Tobacco, the Tittabawassee, and continuing across 
to the headwaters of the Au Sable and along the headwaters of 
Thunder Bay river as far as Cheboygan. 

The Saginaw Valley receives the great bulk of the stock furnished 
by this territory, although the shore and Muskegon river receive 
a portion, the latter going to Muskegon mills. The Flint & Pere 
Marquette railroad passes through the heart of the lumber regions 
west and northwest of East Saginaw, and numerous mills have 
sprung up, while Flint, Midland and Ludington are centers of 
manufacture to quite an extent. 

The Jackson division of the Michigan Central also passes through 
this territory, along the line of which manufacturing is carried on 
to some extent; both these arteries of commerce furnishing outlets 
for logs, lumber and shingles, and also modes of communication 
with the lumbering regions for supplies, etc. 

The Saginaw Bay district is drained by the Pine, Rifie and Au 
Gres and other smaller streams bordering the Saginaw Bay, em- 
bracing the counties of Bay, Ogemaw, Iosco, and litis for some years 
been a source of timber supply for the Saginaw river mills and 
mills at Tawas. The extent of lumbering in this district has 
drained from it the large proportion of the best timber, especially 
on the lower waters of the streams. 

The River Au Sable has a large manufacturing center at its 
mouth on Lake Huron. The counties of Alcona, Iosco, Oscoda, 
Crawford, Roscommon, Otsego and Montmorency, are drained in 
part by tin's stream and its tributaries, and also competing for the 
timber on the headwaters of the Muskegon, Manistee and Thun- 
der Bay rivers. The pine of this district is of good quantity. The 
Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central also taps this district, 
and a fair portion of its product in the future will find an outlet via 
this thoroughfare. 

Thunder Bay river embraces Alpena, and portions of. Alcona, 
Oscoda, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties. This district 
embraces a very large territory, mostly tributary to Alpena at the 
mouth of Thunder Bay river, where extensive manufacturing has 
been carried on for many years. 

The Cheboygan district includes the lake shore counties in the 
vicinity of the Straits of Mackinaw, drained by the Cheboygan 
river and tributaries. Lumbering at Cheboygan, Duncan City, 



SI8TGRY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 407 

and other points in the vicinity, is carried on quite extensively. 

The Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central is now being ex- 
tended to the strait.-, and anotheryear will open up that territory 
within easy and rapid communication with the Saginaw river 
cities. 

The foregoing territory embraces principally the product in- 
cluded in this annual review, excepting a portion of the Flint & 
Pere Marquette railroad mills and nulls atLudington, at the mouth 
ofPere Marquette river. A brief glance at the other pine-produc- 
ing districts in the Lower Peninsula, the product of the principal 
point- being given in this report, may not be inappropriate. 

The Grand Traverse region extends practically from Mackinaw 
to Manistee, covering a large area, with a good quality of pine. 
Lumbering has been carried on for years at Traverse City, Elk 
Rapids, Cadillac, Frankfort and otherpoints, the timber coming 
from the Boardman, Platte and other smaller streams. The Grand 
lipids & Indiana railroad taps this territory, and numerous mills 
have been erected along the line of the road. 

The Upper Manistee river district lies upon the Manistee, from 
its source in Otsego county to the north timber ridge in Wexford 
comity, which divides it from the Tower Manistee, embracing an 
extensive tract of pine. The Grand Rapids & Indiana roadcros-e- 
the Lower portion of this body. 

The Lower Manistee, Little An Sable and Pere Marquette in- 
clude- the pine timber region lying west of the Muskegon waters 
ami along the Lake Michigan shore from Manistee to Pentwater, 
ami drained by the stream- named and their tributaries. The 
principal manufacturing points are Manistee, Ludington and Pent- 
water. The product of Ludington appears in the table of the Flint 
& Pere Marquette mills, beiny; at the terminus of the road, a 
thoroughfare which traverses a Large area of this timber tract, 

The Muskegon river district is one of the largest in the State. 
The river is Large, and with its numerous large tributaries, the 
Little Muskegon, the Tamarack. Middle Branch, Clam river and 
other streams, affords Lumbering facilities to a greater extent than 
any other stream in the State. From Eiggins and Houghton lakes, 
the main river flows through Roscommon, Missaukee, Osceola, 
Clare. Mecosta, Newaygo and Muskegon counties, while the trib- 
utaries reach the counties of Wexford and Montcalm, penetrating 
the dividing ridge, and reaching timber tracts which divide their 
products between the eastern and western slope of the peninsula. 
From the same districl the logs are cut for the Saginaw andforthe 
Muskegon waters, ami at Houghton lake the same township sup- 
plies timber for the Muskegon and the An Sable of Lake Huron, 
and on the west, the Maid-tee. the Pere Marquette and the White 
river, divide timber with the waters of the Muskegon, and still 
further, the latter take- timber from the same territory which sup- 
plies the mills of Grand river. TheMichigan Lake Shore. Grand 
Rapids & Indiana. Flint A: Pere Marquette and other roads pass 
through this district in different direction-, and the Mackinaw 



408 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

division of the Michigan Central touches the extreme headwaters 
of the district in Roscommon county. The Muskegon is one of the 
principal pine-producing streams of the State, in fact is surpassed 
by none save the Tittabawassee and tributaries. The lower Mus- 
kegon pine has been exhausted largely, but the extent of the stream 
and its numerous tributaries will continue a source of supply for 
years yet to come. 

LIFE IN THE LUMBER WOODS. 

Life in the lumber woods is, perhaps, the most peculiar feature 
connected with the timber business. In the woods the inaugural 
labors of the timber-worker begins. The tree which he fells to- 
day may pass through hundreds of hands here, and afterward be 
ultimately utilized by a European or Asiatic carpenter. Rev. C. 
A. Brigham, in speaking on this subject, said: 

' ' The first party of woodmen usually go out in November. As 
soon as the ground begins to freeze, the men select a place for 
their camp as nearly as possible in the center of the ' lot ' which 
they are to work upon, taking care to get a dry soil in the neigh- 
borhood of some spring or brook; they build a log house and cut a 
road to the nearest stream on which the logs must be floated down. 
The log houses are large enough to accommodate from 25 to 50 
persons. In the center a raised lire-place is built, directly under 
the apex of the roof, and the only chimney is a tunnel above this 
fire-place. The work of wood-cutting begins as soon as 
the road is finished and the ground becomes hard enough to haul 
the logs, — usually early in December,— and it is continued until 
the stream breaks up in the spring. The daily wood-chopping be- 
gins with the early morning, and is kept up as long as there is 
light. In the evenings the woodmen sit around their fire, smoke 
pipes, play cards, tell stories, and sometimes get up rude dances. 
There is very little drinking among them during the season of 
work in the woods. Sutlers are not allowed on the premises, and 
the men have usually no money to buy liquor. They are paid by 
the day and supplied with suitable food by their employers. Pork 
and beans, dried fish, bread and tea, are the most approved arti- 
cles of diet. Coffee is not generally provided, and the delicacies 
consist chiefly in the wild game which the woodmen themselves 
may chance to catch. There is plenty of this to be had, if they 
had only the time to take it, for the woods are still full of squirrels, 
rabbits, coons, deer, and black bears, whose flesh is not unpalata- 
ble; the streams, too, are full of fish. But the men are too busy 
in their craft to do much fishing or hunting, and are content with 
their simple, but nourishing, regular fare. In addition to their 
'nourishment,' they get, on an average, about one dollar per day 
for their labor. The whole gain of a lumberman in his winter's 
hard work is about $100, which a new suit of clothes and a few 
weeks of sport in the spring generally exhaust. The life of lum- 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 409 

bermen is like that of sailors, and very few lay up the fruits of 
their toil. 

•• In character, the men are quite as good as the average of those 
who lead a roving life. A Large number of them work in the mills 
in the summer season, some go <>n further west, and others go 
home to their friends in Canada or Maine. Comparatively few of the 
wood-choppers are [rishmen or Germans, though there are parties 
of both these races. They are gregarious in their habits; in cut- 
ting trees they go in pairs, and very few of them are willing to 
live in separate huts, or away from the camp. They sleep along 
the sloping side of the house, with their feet inward toward the 
central lire, which is kept burning all night. They dispense with 
prayers and preaching, and make little account of Sunday. A few 
nave books, but the taste for reading is not general; mending 
clothes and sharpening axes, with such amusements as have been 
mentioned, fill the spare time. Their occupation is healthful and 
cheerful. The stock of medicines rarely needs to be replenished, 
and there is not much for a physician to do in their strong-armed 
company." This description of the lumber camp was written 
while the industry was still young. With its growth the charac- 
teristics of the lumber camp improved; new articles of diet were 
introduced; books, periodicals and newspapers found their way in- 
to the midst of the bush, the penchant for fight has been subdued, 
and the lumberman of to-day is morally superior to him of 13 
years ago, and physically his equal. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

SALT MANUFACTURE 

The existence of brine currents in Michigan was known to the 
early French missionaries and voyageurs, and was spoken of from 
their camps at Detroit to the schools of Paris. During the long 
series of years, from the missionary period down to 1835-'6, little 
or no attention was paid to these mines of wealth, until some years 
after the migratory movement of the eastern people toward Mich- 
igan set in. The first marked public attention to the salt springs 
of the Peninsula was exhibited in the winter of 1835. The follow- 
ing year the Congress of the United States passed the act of ad- 
mittance, and in recognizing Michigan as a State, granted to her 
12 salt springs within her boundaries, with six sections adjoining 
each, or 36 square miles of the public domain. The New State was 
not slow to take advantage of this proviso in her charter, for by a 
Legislative enactment, under date July 25, 1836, the Governor 
was empowered to make such a selection, and made a choice of the 
lands along the Grand river, the Raisin, and a limited tract on the 
Tittabawassee. 

The act of March 4, 1838, appropriated a sum of $3,000 for the 
purpose of trial borings. This sum was placed at the disposal of 
Dr. Douglas Houghton, then State geologist. During the sum- 
mer of that year, he proceeded to Salt river, and thence to the 
Tittabawassee, where, on the west bank, near its confluence with 
Salt river, he made the first trial boring, in June, 1838. In his 
report to the Legislature in 1839, he states "that the State salt 
lands on the Tittabawassee river, in Midland county, are peculiarly 
elegibly situated, being a few miles below the head of navigation 
of that stream, and embracing the mouth of Salt river.''' The 
labor expended at this point during 1838, cost the State $2,118.67. 
Work continued in this vicinity throughout 183'J-*41. At the close 
of the latter year, the shaft reached only a depth of 139 feet. The 
geologist was strong in his belief that the springs could be tapped 
at a depth of 600 feet; but the exigencies of the time suggested a 
suspension of operations, which were not again renewed until 
private enterprise came forward and took up the golden oppor- 
tunity. It is stated, in a historical sketch of the salt springs, com- 
piled by James M. Thomas and A. B. Galatian, in 1866, that, 
" during the several years the work was in progress, Dr. Houghton 
passed much, of his time in Saginaw, and in his intercourse with 
the people fully impressed them with the same confidence which 
he had himself in the existence of a salt basin in this valley. He 
informed them that the act under which the appropriation was 

(410) 



ll[>Tui;v OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 411 

made required him to commence on the State salt spring land; but 
that it was his opinion that the center ofthe basin would be found 
at <>r Dear the mouth of the Tittabawassee river, about two miles 
above the present Bite of Eas1 Saginaw. And after the work was 
abandoned by the State, lion. Norman Little and others continued 
tinn in the belief, founded upon their confidence in the opinion of 
Dr. Houghton, that a shaft had only to he sunk to a depth offrom 
600 t<> lj'oo feet to find strong brine at any point in this vicinity. 
But the experience ofthe State led them to believe that it was no 
idle task to make the experiment, and that whoever should take 
the risk would be obliged to invest a large sum. winch, in case of 
would benefit his neighbors as much as himself. Dr. 
--tier prepared salt from surface brine in 1849 ; others made sim- 
ilar experiments. Thus matters stood until the session of the Legis- 
lature in L859, when a bill was introduced to appropriate $10,000 
to aid in the development of salt springs in the Grand River Val- 
ley. 

A- soon as the pendency of this bill was known at East Saginaw, 
a public meeting was called, and the unjust discrimination in favor 
of Grand Rapids was bitterly complained of. It was believed that 
the chances of success at Saginaw were at least equal to those of 
Grand Rapids. As the country became better known about Sagi- 
naw, it was found that the surface indications of the existence of 
brine were abundant, and were found existing in the greatest pro- 
fusion at about an equal distance from the point selected by Dr. 
Ibnighton as the center ofthe basin, and almost in every direction 
from that center. With such a knowledge, it is no wonder that 
the action of the Legislature in its exclusion of Saginaw Valley 
frmn consideration in this matter, aroused the people to a sense of 
the injustice of an exclusive grant in favor ofthe Grand river dis- 
trict, and resulted in the important meeting of January, 1859. 

THE GOVERNED GOVERN. 

A meetingof the principal men of the two Saginaws was held 
in the office of Charles R Mott, Jan. 26, 1859, over which Dr. Geo. 
A. Lathrop presided; \X . I.. Webber was secretary. The question 
of confidence in the opinions of Dr. Houghton was fully discussed, 
ami to the credit of the participants in the debate, the ideas ofthe 
State Geologist fiilly sustained. Hon. Norman Little, Morgan L. 
Gage, Dr. Lathrop and W. L. Webber were appointed acommittee 
to draft a petition to the Legislature asking that the State would 
aid and protect the salt industry ofthe Valley. The labors of the 
committee were crowned with success. Not only was the bill of 
appropriation for Grand river cast aside, but another, favorable in 
its every feature, was passed, exempting all property in connection 
with -alt works from taxation, and granting a bounty of 10 cents 
per bushel on all salt manufactured. The terms of this act were 



412 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

favorably received. Shortly after its approval, Feb. 15, 1859, the 
first association of salt manufacturers was formed, under the title, 
" East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Co.," with a capital of $50,000, 
of 2,000 shares. The company opened their subscription book 
March 30, 1859, and on April 1 the entire amount was subscribed. 
The original stockholders were, Jesse Hoyt, 180 shares; Wm. L. 
P. Little, W. L. Webber, Geo. A. Lathrop, James L. Ketcham, 
D. G. Holland, John F. Driggs, A. English, M. B. Hess, W. J. 
Barton, C. B. Mott, A. C. Potter, Wm. F. Glassby, C. B. Jones, 
John Derby, 120 shares each; Wm. C. Yawkey, Geo. W. Merrill, 
40 shares each; D. W. C. Gage andO. P. Burt, 20 shares each; C. 
H. Gage and Perry Joslin, 10 shares each. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY. 

The articles of association were signed April 16, 1859, and the 
company was organized with Dr. Geo. A. Lathrop, Pres., W. L. 
P. Little, Treas., and W. L. Webber, Sec. Charles B. Mott, 
H. C. Potter, J. L. Ketcham, Moses B. Hess. Geo. W. Merrill 
and W. F. Glassby, with these officers, formed the directory. 

PREPARATORY LABORS. 

This manufacturing company being organized with men and 
money, the next object was a location. There were few if any ob- 
stacles here. Jesse Hoyt, the owner of the land in the best saline 
district, made a conditional sale of 10 acres in the northern part of 
East Saginaw, the proviso being that if the springs were not 
found, the sale would be annulled. Geo. W. Merrill and S. K. 
Kirby were asked to proceed to New York State with a view to in- 
quire into the working and machinery of the salt factories there. 
This mission was well performed, and within the year the begin- 
ning of that which has since continued to diffuse wealth through- 
out the district, and add importance to the State, was made. 

THE FIRST SALT WELL. 

The sinking of the first salt well was entered upon in 1859, and 
in that year the boring reached the saturated sandstone at a depth 
of 633 feet, which was penetrated 14 feet, and the well rendered a 
total depth of 647. Dr. Lathrop in his journal of this transaction, 
gives the following statement of formation, with degrees of salt- 
ness as gleaned from the result of a 3f-inch boring: 



HI8T0KY OF sM.lXAW COUNTY. 



413 



DEPTH. 


INTERN ENING 


Geological Formations. 




THICKNESS. 







92 


Alluvial and Diluvial materials ; Valine 1. 


92 


79 


Brown Sandstone, with angular grains; Tom. 47°; Sal. 2°. 


171 


40 


shale-, first dark, then light. 


211 


23 


Sandstone, '■'> or 4 feel of coal (Highly Arenaceous Fire Clay). 


234 


]•• 


Shales, below, dark bituminous. 


246 


10 


Sandstone, with thin seams of Coal. 


256 


38 


Shales ; Tcm. 50°; Saline 14°; Discharge, 80 gal. per minute. 


294 


105 


White Sandstone. 


399 


65 


Limestone, (i beds Sandstone, Arenaceous Limestone, 
Shaly matter. 


4<;i 


3 


Shales. 


467 


20 


Sandstone ; Sal. 26°. 




29 


Shales. 


516 


43 


Shales with intercalated Sandstone, 6 in. to 2 ft. thick; 
Sal. 44° to 60°. 


559 


10 


Fine Sandstone, blue; Sal. 64 o; at 568 feet,Water-lime. 


569 


15 


Dark shales. 


584 


11 


Fine blue Sandstone, Water-lime, Shales. 


595 


3 


Grayish, coarser Sandstone, with angular grains. 


598 


7 


Dark Shale-. 


605 


15 


Sandstone, hard, becoming micaceous; at 610 ft., calcareous. 


620 


7 


Dark Shales. 


627 


6 


Lime Stone, hard, brown. 


633 


14 


Fine Sandstone, containing at 647 ft. Brine uearly saturated. 


647 


95 


Red Shales at 742 feet; Sal.82« to 84". 



SUBSEQUENT ENTERPRISES. 



Subsequently another well was bored to a depth of 806 feet, 
blocks of kettles added, and the great industry launched forth 
under most favorable auspices. This well was bored by Sanford 
heeler. Dr. Potter personally superintended the manufacture of 
the first 4.0(H) barrels of salt at the old East Saginaw Salt Works. 
July 4, I860, the pioneer salt blocks of the East Saginaw Company 
were opened for inspection, and they were thronged all day by 

?eople from the Saginaws and adjacent places. Dennis and Tom 
tedmond, who have always been identified with the salt interest 
here, were engaged as boilers on that day. 

In the fall of 1861, 100 kettles formed in two blocks, 
were added and shops erected. During the first year, 1860, the 
product of the wells in operation equaled 4.000 barrels, in 1861 
it reached 125,000 barrels, and with additions in supply and ma- 
chinery, reached 243,000 barrels in L862, showing an aggregate 
product of 372,000 barrels since June, I860, when the works were 
completed and the boiling of salt entered upon. 

The great salt-producing era began, however, in 1863, when 
the total product of the factories equaled 466,356 barrels. Dur- 
ing that year Large additions were made to the capital and person- 
nel of the companies, new machinery was introduced, enterprise 
and industry agreed upon results, and the saline wealth-giver placed 
upon a basis far removed from a merely speculative enterprise. 

The following tabulated statements, prepared evidently with 
great care and precision, and taken from the approved statistics of 



414 HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

men who have placed its manufacturing interests on record, who 
watched the growth of the district with solicitude, and who now 
look with pride upon the forest of industries which make the Val- 
ley prosperous, must form a most important section of this work. 

STATISTICS OF 1865. 

The number of salt manufacturers in the Valley in 1865 did not 
exceed that of the previous year, as the changes in the organiza- 
tion of the salt companies were comparatively few, and the results 
of the year's labors so closely approximating to the statement 
given for 1864, it will be merely necessary here to summarize the 
table for 1865. The number of companies was 67, blocks 118, 
kettles 4,210, solar covers 4,949, acres of land 9,475^-, total capital 
invested $2,269,500, number barrels of salt produced 529,078. 

This manufacuure gave direct employment to 892 men during 
the year, together with an indirect employment to woodmen, who 
prepared 109,368 cords of wood, and to coopers, who received no 
less than $238,074 for the salt barrels prepared by them for the 
manufacturers. The total valuation of salt prepared and left on 
dock ready for shipping was estimated at $1,190,410. 



BISTORT OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 
SALT STATISTICS FOR 1870. 



415 



Salt Works and Location. 



'/thru til.,, . 

W. K. Burl & Co 

New York A: Saginaw Solar Salt Co. 
Michigan Sail Manufacturing Co. . . . 

Bennett & Walker 

< taeida Salt & Lime Co 

i 'arroUton. 

Thomas, Baylor & Co 

Orange County Salt Co 

Saginaw Valley Salt Works 

( ihicago Salt Works 

Empire Salt Co 

E. ( . Litchfield 

T. Jerome A: Co 

Rochester Salt A: Lime Co 

Flnr, net ■ 
1 la-kin. .Martin & Wheeler 

East Saginaw. 
East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Co. 

M. E. Garrison - 

Buffalo Salt Co 

E. Hriggs 

inaw City. 

i V. Brenner 

Conrad Kill] 

Heather A Allison 

Barnard & Binder 

Swift & Lockwood 

A W. Thompson & Co 

Green & Hardin 

Smith, Sut/inaio. 

( liapin. Barber it Co 

Bumham & Still 

Dow, Polhemus & Co 

Bundy & Youmans 

S. ( roimvell & Co 

Lust. Bundy oc Co 

Fox & Co 

II. Bischkee 

Russell & Son 

Medina Salt Co 

Salina Salt Co 

John P. Lust & Co 

Ann Arbor Salt & Lime Co- 

Tittabawasst e. 
Wayne County Salt Co 

Oast /.' 

Albany Salt Co 

Gordon, Penny & Co 

New EnglandSalt Co 



- 



20,037 

7,2(10 

8,380 

20,500 

17,786 

12,000 
17,000 
10,330 
19,771 
10,70(1 
17,031 
11,000 
24,503 



30,095 



43,687 

5,000 

17,500 

5,300 

9,560 

9,000 

2,500 

28,105 

10,000 

6,950 

14,260 

13,000 
8,530 
6,089 
9,526 
4,695 
5,748 



14,638 
6,539 
9,729 

14,049 



3 000 

792 

800 

20 

3,000 

1,700 

300 

4,000 

1,150 

3,000 
3,300 

587 

8,803 

1,000 

2,387 

500 

900 
500 
150 

6,400 
800 
392 

1,500 

4,000 

1,850 

4,000 

750 



27,000 

1,800 

750 



« 


« 





o 


o 


w 




a 







£ o 



120 
50 



180 
120 
180 
116 
236 



60 
312 



300 



60 

52 

52 
116 
58 
58 
58 
50 
50 
50 
58 
116 

iie 



120 



p 
w 

E 

— 



85 
16 

.14 

20 
14 

10 
20 
13 
20 
12 
28 
9 
24 

30 

55 
2 
8 

10 

11 
10 

2 
15 

9 

rl 

12 

8 
17 

7 



is 

6 

17 

13 



$ 40, COO 

100,000 

100,000 

70,000 

40,000 

20,000 
100,000 
48,000 
25,000 
80,000 
28,000 
20,000 
45,000 

60,000 

140,000 
20,000 
35,000 
20,000 

25,000 
12,000 
25,000 
50,000 
10,000 
11,000 
25,000 

27,000 
10,000 
25.000 
13,000 
10,000 

4,000 
10,000 

5,000 
10,000 
12,000 
20,000 
11,000 
20,000 

20,000 

75,000 

30,000 
50,00^ 



25 



-±16 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

SALT STATISTICS OF SAGINAW COUNTY FOR 1877-'78. 



J. H. Pearson & Son 

A. W. Wright & Co 

Swift & Lockwood 

Barnard & Binder 

Saginaw Barrel Co 

Geo. F. Williams & Bro 

Geo. Kull & Bro 

C. T. Brenner 

Martindale Bros. 

H. Beschkee 

D. Hardin & Co 

Stevens Bros 

Sturtevant, Green & Co 

Shimmon Bros 

Wylie Bros 

T. Cook& Co 

Cook & Davis 

Rust, Eaton & Co 

Bundy & Yournans 

H. B. Allen 

H.P.Lyon & Co 

Tittering & Co 

W. B. Mershon 

Robert Conner 

De Graum, Ayraer & Co 

T. Jerome & Co 

Booth & Hickey 

James Riley 

Shaw & Williams 

East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Co. 

Isaac Barringer 

J. F. Driggs & Sons 

Sanborn & Bliss , 

A. T. Bliss & Bro 

E.F.Gould 

Eaton, Potter & Co 

Geo. H. Rust & Co 

Jlenaington & Co , 

Burnham & Still 

Nelson Holland 

A. P. Brewer 

C. &E Ten Eyck 

P. A. O'Donnell 

Thompson & Camp 

Warner & Eastman 

Geo. E. Turner & Sons 

W. R.Burt & Co 



Total. 



<JJ e* F-J 

■ C6 g 



8,957 
34,338 
28,310 
21,958 



27,004 
14,595 

3,088 



3,381 

691 

11,087 

33,114 



11,925 



3,263 

25,639 

4,994 

10,493 

17,542 

5,187 

3,722 

5,060 



18,780 
7,054 



23,576 
39,318 



17,648 
11,448 
57,467 
21,449 

5,754 
20,157 
14,787 

6,150 
27,169 
18,203 
17,212 



9,698 
20,056 



64,412 
674,641 



sS 



28,993 
34,365 
23,282 
34.254 

6,593 
25,444 

3,236 



2,494 

2,738 
7,098 
7,199 

32,814 
647 

22,387 
4,470 



22,819 



4,191 
23,386 



4,021 



14,313 
21,983 



4,189 
25,642 
17,138 

9,743 
17,256 
27,847 
63,297 
16,755 

9,678 
38,043 
21,259 
11,207 
24,973 
28,000 
17,549 
310 
15,365 
22,561 
12,640 
51,908 

762,091 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY, 



417 



During the year 1880 the total number of barrels of salt in- 
spected for the Saginaw county manufacturers was 1,138,695, pro- 
duced as follows: 



Manufactured by 



w. \ O'Donnell 

Sample & Camp 

Warner & Eastman 

0. & i: TenEyck 

Shaw & Williams 

.!. Riley 

Al.-\. Swil't 

Bturtevant, PlummerA Co. 

Mmw & Delano 

A W Wri-lit & Co 

Brand & Hardin 

Sanborn A: Bliss 

James Perrin 

Saginaw Barrel ( '<> 

Wylie Bros 

A.'T. Bliss & Bro 

Driggs Sons & Morey 

E, Bubbell 

I M Williams 

1. Barringer 

Pearson & Son 

De< Sraw, Aymer & Co 

Baton, Potter & Co 

W. B. Mersbon 

Rust, Baton & Co 

N. & A. Barnard & Co 

V & A. Barnard 

D. Whitney & Co 

Turner & Sun 

Nason & Allen 

Chas. Merrill & Co 

Stevens Bros 

F. B schkee 

Nelson I [olland 

Fanner & Son- 

Burnham & Still 

Camp & Stillman 

I). Hardin &Co 

Bros 

J.F. & I). W Rus1 & Co.. 

Remington & Co 

.1 1 » Kiicliam & Co 

.M. Mw.Ml 

Martindale Bios 

Kniffen Bros 

< look 4 I [oward 

E. F Gould 

T. Jerome & Co 

T Cook & Co 

Alderton & Bro 



Wood & Reynolds 

Hoy! 

Hamilton & McClure. 



Fine. 



Packers. 



6,207 

18,239 

27,898 

23,029 

17,021 

13,061 

36,137 

2,092 

6,5 1 1 

38 175 

6,812 

22,932 

8,400 

1,000 

1,111 

78,003 

14,695 

1,450 

4,286 

16,812 

20,549 



20,453 
58,687 
64,072 

11,719 



26,226 

11,609 

1,598 

39,118 



11,134 

11,114 

8,795 

30,445 

40,280 

25,012 

420 

14,388 

9,341 

3,581 

3,626 

19,891 

29,908 

2,399 

1,628 

25,101 
9,700 

50,541 



138 



9G1 



305 

466 



61 
156 



272 
46 

278 
28 



65 
10 



481 



690 



7st; 



187 



Balk. 



2,400 
4,311 



13,200 
28,000 



2,000 
"'466' 



7,634 
29,680 
25,800 

7,900 
24,800 



7,703 
1,000 



1,162 
450 



5,800 



3,385 



Solar. 

1,031 
8,560 
9,446 



2d Qua). 

580 

12 

1,184 



214 
371 
535 
21 
402 
429 



245 



1,200 

188 

2,021 

520 

93 

265 

482 

13 



183 



101 
258 
904 
679 

871 



34 
163 
754 

1,041 ' 



126 

145 

395 

48 



472 
467 



1,205 
127 



100 



Total No. 
Barrels. 



660 



6,787 
18,251 
29,082 
23 029 

1 7,-!T:! 
13,432 
36,672 
32,113 

9,336 
43,215 

6,812 
24,138 

8,400 
15,400 
29,604 
80,490 
17,215 

1,543 

5,012 
17,450 
28,196 
29. 08(1 
25,800 

8,083 
24,800 
20.826 
58,982 
65 254 
12,420 

8,574 
27,226 
11,643 

4,761 
39,872 

1,227 
12,635 
11,114 

8,921 
34,590 
41,150 
30,800 
420 
15,550 

9,883 

3,581 

3.020 
2(1.077 
34,498 

2,520 

1,628 

26,232 
17,200 
60,834 



418 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

PRODUCTION DURING THE HISTORY OF SALT MANUFACTURE IN THE 

STATE. 

The salt manufacture in this State commenced in 1860, and 
the inspection law was not enacted until 1869. Previous to 
the inspection law the annual product was as follows: 1860, 
4,000 barrels; 1861, 125,000; 1S62, 243,000; 1863, 466,356; 1864, 
529,073; 1865, 477,200; 1866,407,077; 1867,474,721; 1868, 555,- 
690. The product since 1869, at which the inspection law took 
effect, is as follows: 1869, 560,818 barrels; 1870, 621,350; 1871, 
728,175; 1872,724,481; 1873,823,346; 1874, 1,028,979; 1875,1,- 
081,865; 1876, 1,462,729; 1877, 1,960,997; 1878, 1,855,881; 1879, 
2,058,040; 1880,2,676,588. 

The average price obtained for the Saginaw product during a 
series of vears shows as follows: average price per barrel — 1866, 
$1.80; 1867, $1.77; 1868, $1.85; 1869, $1.58; 1870, $1.32; 1871, 
$1.46; 1872, $1.46; 1873, $1.37; 1874, $1.19; 1875, $1.10; 1876, 
$1.05; 1877, 85 cts. ; 1878, 85 eta.; 1879, $1.02; 1880, 75 cts. 

IMPROVEMENTS. 

The numerous and extensive improvements effected in buildings 
and machinery, during 1880-'l are, beyond precedent, all tending 
to show that as years pass by the salt interest grows in importance 
and extent. There are few industries in the United States of com- 
parative growth that can compete with that of the development and 
magnitude of the Michigan salt interest, and as has been stated, 
nothing in the line of legitimate resources could have been more 
fortunate for the Saginaw Valley than the discovery of the under- 
lying saline deposits, and their practical development. No in- 
dustry could by any possibility have worked more in harmony with 
other leading industries of this section of the State. Continued ex- 
perience and present realization have demonstrated beyond the 
question of argument the wisdom, foresight, and business sagacity 
of those who inaugurated an industry which has added largely to 
the importance and wealth ot'\the Peninsula. 

SALT WELLS OF THE VALLEY. 

The salt wells of the State form one of its great wealth-givers. 
This industry of 20 summers is only in its infancy. The rich brines 
which permeate the sandstone will flow on until that period when 
the stone itself may change, when the economy of nature may con- 
vert it into veritable rock salt. We extract the folio wingf paragraphs 
from a paper, prepared by Dr. S. S. Garrigues, on the geological 
formations of the Yalley, the boring of salt wells, and the process 
of salt manufacture: 

PORT AUSTIN, HURON COUNTY. 

"The first well that we have good record from is the Port Austin. 
This well stands in the upper part of the Waverly group, being the 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY". 419 

B&ndstones of the Point aux Barques, the first 275 feet of the well 
being in a mixture of Bandy shales; succeeding this we have a 
series of blue and red shales continuing to near 1,100 feet. At this 
point a very white md porous sand rock was struck, there being 
about LOO feet. This sand rock contains an abundant supply of 
brine, and has since been improved by cleaning and scraping the 
well. The capacity of the well is over 20 gallons to the minute, 
filling a cistern 30x30 in 16 to 17 hours. The brine shows 92 de- 
grees by salinometer. The offset is down 600 feet, and the pump- 
ing chamber just below. The well has an overflow of fresh water. 

< AH \ [LLE, HURON COUNTY. 

"The first salt well putdown in this locality was for Frank Craw- 
ford. This well starts at the top of the carboniferous limestones 
which outcrop near Wild Fowl Bay. From here it passes through 
the same formation as found on the Saginaw river, until a sand 
rock containing strong brine is struck at 850 feet. There was 
near LOO feet of this formation, being mixed with sandy shales. 
The well was pumped at this depth for some time, nearly a year, 
but not being satisfied with the supply of brine, Mr. Crawford 
determined to put down another well, and this time he proposed 

deeper and see what he could find. Accordingly another 
well was staited. After passing through the above mentioned 
formations acontinued series of blue -hales, followed by red and 
brown shales, was found, which continued until a sand rock was 
struck al the depth of 1,650 feet. Of this there was 100 to 120 
feet, making the entire depth of the well from 1,760 to 1,770 feet. 
Ami now at this place I would like to correct an impression or re- 
port that has gone out, the rock salt was found in this sandstone 
formation, [t was so given out at the time the well was bored, 
but subsequent borings and closer operations have disproved this 
statement, In this sand rock a strong brine was found, and an 
attempt made to pump from it alone, but the supply not being 
much greater, the tube was raised and the brine from the two 
-and rocks was pumped together, giving a supply for about 125 
barrels of sail each day, it being calculated that the lower rock 

a Bupply equal to about 75barrels. All the other wells of this 
locality have been put down to this lower sand rock, but no rock 
salt ha- been found. 

••At Bay Port, L0 milesfrom Oaseville, a well has been putdown 
to the same depth as the Caseville well, but as it has not been 
put in operation I cannot report the capacity of the well. This 
finishes the history of the salt wells on the south side of the Sag- 
inaw Bay that have any bearing on the prospect of finding salt 
brine in the lower -and rock of the AVaverly group. Let us now 
cross over the Saginaw Bay and examine the record of salt 

Well- there. 



420 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

EAST TAWAS, IOSCO COUNTY. 



5 



"The first well put down at this locality was for Grant & Son. 
This well starts in the same geological horizon as the Port Aus- 
tin well, being just at the bottom of the gypsum formation, with 
outcrops at Alabaster, and in the sandstone formation of the upper 
part of the Wave rly group, and which, at EastTawas, is com- 
posed of sand plains. After passing through the sand formation, 
the borings show a succession of blue and red shales mixed with 
sand until the sand rock is struck at a depth of 800 feet. Over 
100 feet of this sand rock was found, yielding an abundant supply 
of brine of 85 degrees by the salinometer. The capacity of the 
well seemed unlimited. 

' 'A second well was put down at East Tawas by the East Tawas 
Mill Company. This well, being only a short distance from the 
other well, passes through the same formations. It had about 
100 feet of sand rock, passing from this formation to the black 
shales of Ohio, which as before mentioned underlaid the Waverly 
group and outcrop at Thunder Bay. This well also gives a very 
abundant supply of brine, actual running capacity of the well near 
200 barrels of salt a day. Salinometer stands at 85 degrees. 
Analysis shows great similarity to the Port Austin and Case- 
ville brine. 

AU SABLE. 

' 'We now pass out of the Tawas Bay to Au Sable, where two 
wells have been put down during the last year. The first well 
was put down by Smith, Kelley & Dwight. This well commences 
in the sand formation similar to East Tawas, from which it is dis- 
tant about 13 miles. After leaving this there is blue shale mixed 
with sand, followed by the red shales and some black shale until 
the sandstone rock was struck at 960 feet, of which there were 
80 feet. The supply of brine in this well is sufficient to make 70 
barrels of salt per day. Brine shows salinometer strength of 
02 degrees. 

"Loud, Gay & Co. have also put down one well, and are now put- 
ting down another. The borings were as above described, but 
they were not so fortunate as their neighbors, and had only 60 feet 
of continuous sand rock, when passing into shales followed by 10 
or 12 feet more sand rock. The entire depth of the well is 1,160 
feet. The supply of brine is even less than the other well, being 
about 65 barrels of salt a day. 

"Since the record of these wells was given, four wells have been 
bored at Midland, Midland county, within a few miles of the 
original well described at the beginning of this report. These bor- 
ings struck, at a depth of 1,200 feet, the same sand rock, contain- 
ing brine, which in the Saginaw Valley was found at a depth of 
900 feet. The boring penetrated the sand rock about 100 feet, 
making the well in all 1,300 feet in depth. The strength of brine, 



history OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 421 

as shown by the salinometer, was 115 degrees, but loaded with 
Borne impurities which made the manufacture of a good commer- 
cial article one of great care 
■ • |\iore recently a boring has been made at Manistee with results 

which indicate the touching of the same salt rock which has been 
found at Goderich, Canada. The well, however, is still incom- 
plete, and it is too early to speak more definitely. 

WELL-BORING MACHINERY. 

••The proper location having been selected for the salt well, a 
drill house, Id by 30 feet, with a tower, is erected. This is large 
enough for a boiler, small portable engine, and a forge for repair- 
ing tools and keeping the drill sharp. The tower or derrick has 
;i height of 50 feet, or is high enough to draw out the drilling 
poles. The tool with which the boring or drilling is done is a 
drill, three feet long, shaped at one end like a chisel, and made of 
the best quality of steel. The drill is screwed into the sinker, 
which is a round iron bar 40 feet long and three inches in diameter, 
and weighing about 2,000 pounds. Attached to the sinkers by 
Btrong screws are the "jars;" these are about seven feet long and 
made of good iron. The 'jars' are two slotted links, moving up 
and down within each other, and are intended to increase the force 
of the blow of the drill upon the rock by allowing it to fall with a 
sudden jerk. The jars are attached by a screw to the drill pole, 
which is, in turn, connected by a swivel to a chain. The chain is 
fastened to an ordinary 'walking-beam' of wood, driven by an 
engine of small horse-power. The beam rises and falls continually 
over the mouth of the well, the chain which suspends the tool 
passing over the end of the beam being so arranged that it can be 
let out a-» the hole deepens, at the same time lifting the tool or 
drill and allowing it to drop with measured stroke on the rock, 
which i- thus gradually drilled out. A workman sits at the mouth 
of the well, having the pole grasped by his hands, and after every 
stroke the poles are slightly turned so as to turn the drill which is 
working on the bottom, thus keeping the well true and circular in 
shape. 

•• While the well is in process of boring, the tools are frequently 
removed and the sand pump introduced to remove the loose matter 
from the bottom of the well, which i^ done by means of a suction 
valve. 'Flic -and pump removes all the ground rock sand, and 
take- up at time- -tones an inch or more in size. In commencing 

the well, a strong wooden box eight inches square, made fr 2- 

inch plank, is driven down into the ground, say from 11 to Hi feet. 
In-ide of this an 8-inch iron tube or casing is pu1 down as fast as 
the alluvial or drift material overlying the rock formation is broken 
up by the drill and taken out by the sand pump; this continues 
until the -olid rock is reached. 

••At this point considerable care should be taken that the opening 
Into the rock is perfectly round and well finished by the drill; for 



122 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

the casing should be set so firmly in the rock as to prevent any 
sand or gravel from running in under the tube, and thus getting in 
on top of the drill and endangering its becoming fastened in the 
well. 

"The rock-drilling now commences and continues to the depth to 
which it is proposed to sink the well. After the drilling is done, 
the sides of the well are smoothed off with a tool called a reamer. 
In most of the salt wells on the Saginaw river an offset is placed 
in the well at a short distance above the lower sand rock. Below 
the offset the size of the well is lessened half an inch in diameter. 
On this offset is made the so-called rock-packing, the hole being 
drilled beveling so as to receive a tightly-fitting iron collar or 
funnel-shaped piece of metal. A tube corresponding to the size of 
the upper part of the well is made to rest on this rock-packing as 
the offset, and runs to the top of the well; in this way all the weak 
brine from the upper rock and any fresh water that may come into 
the well above the offset are shut off. Below the offset the tube 
continues in reduced size to the locality of the lower sand rock, at 
which point the pumping chamber containing the pumping valves 
is placed. 

"In the early history of salt well borktg in Michigan, the pressure 
of the brine in the well tube forced it within 100 feet of the surface. 
More recently, owing no doubt to the great demand for brine, it 
does not rise so high. It only requires a small amount of power, 
after the pumping rods are properly balanced, to lift the brine out 
of the well into the settling tanks. 

PUMPING BRINE. 

''Often in starting up a new salt well the brine is weak, that is, 
shows a small percentage of salt by the salinometer. This arises 
from the fact that a large quantity of fresh water or weak brine 
from the upper format! ins has passed down into the well during 
the time the well was opened or being tubed. To test this point, 
and to bring the brine up to the usual strength of salt brines, the 
pump is put in operation and run for some time. If the brine con- 
tinues to show an increase of strength on being tested by the 
salinometer, the pumping is continued until the strength of brine 
remains permanent at such a percentage as wells of equal depth in 
the same locality have shown. If, however, the brine does not 
increase in strength, there are strong probabilities that there is a 
leakage of fresh water or weak brine into the well at the offset. 
This should be remedied at once — the more so if the well is a deep 
one, such as most of those in the Saginaw Valley are; for in this 
case the offset in the well is below the so-called gypsum formation, 
and you are drawing in and mixing with your strong brine a weak 
brine from these formations which has a higher percentage of 
gypsum. 

'■'This mixing of the two brines in the well and tubing causes a 
precipitation or separation of the gypsum upon the pumping rods 



IIIstoKV <>K SAGINAW COUNTY. 423 

and in the pumping chamber. If this is not stopped, it will 
eventually close up the valves and prevent them from being drawn 
out of the chamber. More than one instance has been known 
when- parties ha\e suffered much extra expense in not attending 
to this kind of Leakage. 

■•A manufacturer, in starting up his well pump, may also find 
that he has a short Bupply of brine, and the brine in the well tube 
runs down a^ soon as the pump is Stopped. In this case he may have 
strong suspicions thai bis well tube is defective, or that the joints 
are Dot put together tightly, causing a leakage. To ascertain 
where this is, the tubing should be lifted out, the lower valve being 
allowed to remain in. As tubing is being drawn, the pressure of 
the column of brine in the tube on the joints or imperfections will 
slmw where the leakage is. If the tubing is imperfect it should be 
taken out and replaced by perfect tubing. When the leakage is at 
the joint, a new thread should becut upon it, or the joint should 
rewed together more tightly. 

"It is very important that the manufacturer should ever be on the 
lookout for these leakage-, as they may and do often arise from a 
jarring oi the tubing by running the pump faster than the supply 
Of brine comes to the pumping-ch amber, causing a vacuum and pro- 
ducing the so-called pounding of a well. The capacity of a well 
has been very materially affected by such a leakage, increasing the 
expense of pumping from 50 to LOO per cent. 

"The supply capacity of a well is also very materially increased 
by the position of the pumping chamber in the well. In the early 
history of salt wells in Michigan, the pumping chamber was gen- 
erally place* 1 a short distance below the offset. More recent tests 
go to prove that the best location for the pumping chamber is at or 
very near the point where the largest supply of brine comes into 
the well, and that point is the lower portion of the sand rock, or 
within a short distance of the bottom of the well. 

u In pumping a well it is also important that the weight of the 
pumping rods should be evenly counterbalanced by a weight on the 
other end of the walking-beam : this relieves the engine, the only 
weight to be lifted bring the brine. The stroke of the piston in the 
pumping chamber should be made as long as possible, and the 
motion of the engine should not Be over 32 revolutions to the 
minute. In this way about the entire supply of brine in the well 
is obtained without forming a vacuum, thus preventing the pound- 
in::' of the well and the danger of parting the pumping rods or jar- 
ring the tubing Loose ;it the joints, causing leakage. 

1 'The capacity of salt wells varies in different Localities from 12 to 
20 gallons per minute — the size of the well and porosity of the 
sand rock having much to do in increasing the amount. A good 
well will till a extern 20x30x6 feet in about 20 hours. A salt well 
in Saginaw City, owned by Pierson, Wright & Co., produced 
enough brine during a manufacturing season of eight months to 
make over 26,000 barrels of salt. At East Tawas the wells, :\\ 
inches in diameter, fill a cistern of the above size in about 12 
hours. At Port Austin the well fills a cistern in 17 hours.'* 



424 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

TESTING THE STRENGTH OF BRINES BY SALINOMETER. 

The following is extracted from Alexander Winchell's report on 
the Geology of Michigan, published in 1861. It has been thought 
advisable to reprint it at length as a guide to our salt manufactur- 
ers: 

"Pure water dissolves, at ordinary temperature, a little over 
one-third its weight of salt, or from thirty-five to thirty-six hun- 
dredths. The amount varies somewhat with the temperature; and 
the results of different experiments are, moreover, not perfectly 
accordant; but from the most accurate observations, it appears 
that 100 parts by weight of pure saturated brine, at temperatures 
from 32° to 70°Fahr., contain from 26.3 to 26.7 parts of salt. 
Some earlier determinations, however, gave but 25.7 parts, and 
upon this figure the table was calculated. 

"The specific gravity of a saturated brine at 60 ° Fahr. is 1.205, 
pure water being 1.000. The salinometer employed in many salt 
works for fixing the value of brine is an areometer with an arbitrary 
scale divided into 100 parts. The density of water on this scale is 
represented by ° and that of saturated brine by 100 ° . Each de- 
gree of the salinometer, therefore, corresponds very nearly to one- 
quarter of one per cent, of salt. , '' 

The following pages, on analyses, manufacture, etc., are also 
from Dr. Garrigues' report. 

It must also be borne in mind that brines of the same strength 
possess different densities, depending upon the temperature, the 
density rapidly diminishing as the temperature rises. It is con- 
sequently necessary to experiment on brines at a uniform or stand- 
ard temperature. The ordinary standard for hydrometrical opera- 
tion is 60° Fahrenheit's thermometer, but the standard tempera- 
ture at the Onondaga salines is 52 ° , that being the natural tem- 
perature of the brine as it issues from the well. 

BRINE ANALYSES. 

The first practical attempt at salt-well boring in Grand Rapids 
was commenced Aug. 12, 1859, and finished Oct. 14, being 257 
feet deep. A sample of brine taken at this time was analyzed by 
Prof. Fish, with the following results: 

Specific gravity 1.01752 per crnt 

per cent. Sulphate oi lime 0.18120 

Fixed constituents 2.83885 Chloride of calcium 0.27041 

Carbonate of iron 0.00145 Chloride of magnesium 07196 

lime 0.00473 Chloride of potassium 0.01561 

magnesia 0.00084 Chloride of sodium (salt) 1.73696 

Free carbonic acid 0.00603 Loss 0.08841 

Silicic acid 0.00025 

An analysis of brine from the first East Saginaw well, made by 

Prof. Douglass, April 11, 1860, is as follows: 

Specific gravity 1.179 Sulphate of lime .116 

Saline matter, per cent 22.017 Carbonate of iron .105 

Chloride of sodium (salt) 17.912 Chloride of potassium .220 

calcium 2.142 Water 77.983 

" magnesium 1.522 

100.000 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 425 

The two brines, as the depths of the wells will show, are from 
the upper Bait-bearing sand rock, and are quite characteristic of 
this formation, as shown by the large percentage of gypsum and 
low percentage of chlorides. 

Swift & Lockwood's well, Saginaw City. Depth of well, 860 
feet. Brine, 86° salinometer: 

Sulphate of lime (gypsum) 0.0983 

Chloride of calcium 2.6430 

magnesium 1.0685 

sodium (salt) 17.5103 

Balinematter 21.3201 

Water 78.(5799 

100.0000 

East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Company, East Saginaw. 
Depth of well, 806 feet. Salinometer, 80 ° : 

Sulphate of lime (gypsum) 0.1516 

< ihloride of calcium 2.2665 

magnesium 0.9629 

sodium (salt ) : 16.8636 



Saline matter 20.2446 

Water 79.7554 



100.0000 



These three specimens of brine, as the depth of the wells will 
show, are from the lower salt-bearing sand rock, called the Napo- 
leon sandstone by "Winchell. The analysis shows a decrease in the 
percentage of gypsum, an increased percentage of the earth chlo- 
rides, and increased quantity of salt. 

These are the representative brines of the Saginaw river, and are 
those which are mostly worked for their salt. 

'The analyses of these brines show a marked increase in the earthy 
chlorides, and are without doubt from a lower saliferous horizon, 
located in the Devonian strata, and consequently intermediate be- 
tween the Onondaga formation and the Michigan salt group — this 
saint' formation having been struck at Caseville, Huron county, at 
the depth of 1,750 feet, and at Blackinar's mills, 13 miles east of 
East Saginaw, at the depth of 1,675 feet. The new wells going 
down at ( )scoda, Mich., are without doubt in this formation also. 

The following analyses of Michigan brines, made by H. C. Halm, 
Ph. I)., will show the chemical composition of other brines not in- 
cluded in the above list : 

Oneida Salt Company, Crow Island, Zilwaukee. Specific gravity 
of brine, L1864: 

Sodic chloride (salt) 19.304 Ferrous carbonate 0.0054 

Calcic chloride 2.623 " chloride 0.0032 

ssic chloride 1.343 Magnesic bromide trace 

Calcic sulphate (gypsum) 0.080 Carbonic acid 

carbonate trace Water 76.269 

Magnetic carbonate " 

99.6276 



426 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Analj'sis of a Saginaw City brine, made by E. M. Vanflint, 0. E., 
of Union College. Depth of well, 741 feet. Salinotneter, 90 ° at 
56 ° Fahrenheit: 

Sodic chloride 17.940 Aluminous carbonate 0.022 

Caleic sulphate 0.119 Bromide of magnesium 0.236 

chloride 2.591 Iodine, potassium, and lithium trace 

Magnesic chloride 0.627 Water 78 373 

Ferrous carbonate 0.092 

100.000 

RECEPTION AND SETTLING OF BRINE. 

The salt manufacturer having satisfied himself in regard to the 
quantity and quality of the brine supply, must now be prepared 
with cisterns to store his brine during the process of settling. 
These cisterns, or outside settlers, were formerly built in size 20 
by 30 feet and six feet deep, having a capacity of 25,000 gallons. 
More recently the size of these has been increased to suit the wants 
of the manufacturer. They are built of sound two or three-inch 
plank, well and properly keyed together by strong gripes, and are 
also calked to prevent leakage. These cisterns are elevated on 
piling or framed timbers, high enough to allow the settled brine 
to flow through pipes to the blocks. The connections from the 
cisterns into the pipes are six inches above the bottom, the flow of 
the brine being controlled by gates. The supply pipes from the 
cisterns are usually made of wooden pump logs having a three-inch 
bore. 

The brine, as shown by the analyses, contains a small percent- 
age of carbonate of protoxide of iron, held in solution by an excess 
of carbonic acid. If the brine was boiled down or evaporated 
with this iron in, it would give the salt a red color and very ma- 
terially affect its commercial value. 

As soon as the cistern is tilled with brine, preparation should be 
made to settle it. A tight box large enough to hold a barrel or 
more of water is placed on the top of the cistern. In this a proper 
quantity of fresh burnt lime is slacked with fresh water, enough 
being afterward added to rill the box so as to make a whitewash < >r 
milk of the lime. This mixture being a caustic lime is freely 
sprinkled over the brine. The brine is then thoroughly ''plunged" 
— that is, it is stirred up until the lime is well mixed with the 
brine. The caustic mixture of lime having a strong affinity 
for the carbonic acid, extracts the same from the brine, thus releas- 
ing the iron which is precipitated with the lime to the bottom of 
the cistern as an insoluble peroxide of iron. The brine is then al- 
lowed to rest for 48 hours, when it is quite clear and ready for the 
boiling house or block. This process is called "settling, 11 and on 
the care with which it is conducted depends much of the success 
in making good salt. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 4^7 

EVAPORA1 [ON OF BRINE. 

Earing made a stock of settled brine, the next process in the 
manufacture of sail is the evaporation of the brine ; and this is ef- 
fected bv three different methods : 

1. 1!\ the direct application of fire-heat to kettles or pans. 

2. By the use of steam cither exhaust steam from saw-mills 
or steam generated by flue boilers built expressly for the pur- 
pose. 

3. By solar evaporation. 

1 1, KettiU Blocks. — A kettle block for evaporation of brine con- 
sists of a wooden building 14o feet long by 45 to 50 feet wide, 
with an elevation of 18 feet, so arranged as to admit of the steam 
passing out of the ventilators. In this building are set from 50 to 
60 kettles, having each a capacity of 100 to 12<> gallons. The ket- 
tles arc set in two rows over arches running from the mouth or 
furnace to the chimney. These are called "arches." These 
anhes run close together, with a dividing wall between them; the 
kettles are set close together in a row, resting on the dividingwall 
on the one Bide and on the outside wall on the other. 

The fire arch, or furnace, at the front is three feet from the bot- 
tom <>f the kettles ; from here the bottom of the arch gradually 
- so that under the hack kettles the space is only 10 to 12 
inches. Here the flue passes into the chimney, which is about 40 
to 50 feet high. Between the arches and the salt bins, which are 
under the same building, is the sidewalk. On this sidewalk the 
salt boiler operates in drawing the salt from the kettles into the 
draining baskets, which, when it is sufficiently drained, are wheeled 
off to the salt bins on tins sidewalk or platform. The bins, which 
run the entire length of the block, are divided off in sections, and 
are made with open floors for the proper drainage of the salt. 
Through the center of the block, just on top of the middle wall, 
two Bets of pump logs, or pipes are laid — one for fresh water and 
one for the settled brine, each of them being supplied with faucets 
f<>r each kettle. The kettles, after being well cleansed, are filled 
with brine, and boiling soon commences after the tire is under 
good headway. A scum rises to the surface, which is taken off 
with a skimmer. 

( )f late years, owing to the dry and light material used for fuel 
(being the refuse slabs from saw-mills), the first 10 or 15 kettles 
in the arch are protected from the excessive heat by patent arches 
which are built over the fire tiue and directly under the bottom of 
the kettle. By this arrangement, and a narrowing of the Hue, the 
heat is distributed more evenly through the entire arch and the 
kettle- boil more regularly. 

Soon after the? brine commences to boil the crystals of salt com- 
mence to form on the top and then fall to the bottom. When the 
brine i> boiled down to about one-third the salt is dipped out with 
a Ladle and thrown into a basket, which is placed over one side of 
the kettle. The salt is allowed to remain in the basket for two or 



428 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

three hours, the bitter water containing the earthy chlorides being 
thus drained off. Thorough drainage is considered an important 
point in this mode of manufacture. The balance of the brine or 
bitter water remaining in the kettle is now bailed out and thrown 
into the drainage trough. The kettle is then rinsed out with fresh 
water and again filled up with brine. 

The difference of the time in which the front and the back ket- 
tles boil down varies from four hours in the front to 12 hours 
in the back. The kettle blocks are generally run day and night 
by four men, two boilers and two firemen, taking turns of 12 
hours each. The average product of a good kettle block is 75 bar- 
rels of salt per day of 24 hours. 

This process is rapidly becoming superseded by the more eco- 
nomical one of pan and steam blocks. 

In Pan Blocks. — Pan blocks are buildings of various dimensions, 
built to accommodate the size of the pan, settlers and salt bins. 
The pans are made of quarter-inch boiler-plate iron. They vary 
from 90 to 120 feet in length, being divided into sections of 30 or 
40 feet, are 12 to 15 feet wide, and from 10 to 12 inches deep. 
With some the sides are straight, the salt being raked to the side, 
lifted out with a shovel and thrown on the draining boards. In 
others the sides are flanged, and the salt is raked directly on to the 
draining boards. Pans of the above size rest on three walls as in 
kettle blocks, the arches running directly under the pan to the 
chimney at the end. As the firing of these blocks is done mostly 
with slabs or light fuel, the first 30 or 40 feet are also protected 
by patent arches thrown across the flues, thus dividing the heat 
more generally throughout the block. The brine boils very rapidly 
in these blocks, and as the salt makes fast it requires much care 
and attention on the part of the workmen to keep the salt from 
baking on the bottom of the pan; this is prevented by raking out 
the salt almost as fast as it makes. 

Improvements in heating pan blocks have been made of late 
years in those localities where the price of fuel is a consideration. 
A pan block of an improved plan for boiling' the brine has been 
erected by Ay res & Co., of Port Austin, Huron county. The 
block is 120 feet long, 43 feet wide, outside posts 10 feet high and 
center post 18 feet high — almost too high to carry off the steam in 
winter. The length was also calculated for four pans. Three pans 
only were put on, being each 30 feet long and 16 feet wide on bot- 
tom, sides flanging and bolted to the draining boards. The 
pans rest on seven walls, r which are so arranged that they make two 
fire flues in the center and two return fines on the sides. The cen- 
ter and outside walls run the entire length and width of the pan. 
All the walls are a foot wide at the top. The two fire flues which 
are under the middle of the pan on both sides of the center wall 
are 2^ feet wide. Height of grate to pan, 3^ feet. The return flues 
are next to the outside walls, under the sides of the pan, and are 
two feet wide. This gives a heating surface of 180 feet in length 



II I -TORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 429 

on both sides of the middle wall. The outside flues run into the 
chimney, which is placed at one side of the front of the block—- 
the Bpace under the pan being reduced to one foot. 

The advantage of this arrangement of the flues is that as the 
brine boils freely over the lire line tlfe salt, as it makes, is thrown 
to the cool side of the pan, and therefore is not so liable to bake to 
the bottom before it is raked out. Another advantage is in the 
economy of the heating surface, the entire amount being well used 
up before it gets to the chimney. This is shown in the amount of 
salt made, Avers & Co. reporting the making of 140 barrels of salt 
with 13 cords of hemlock wood in a day of 24 hours. 

The brine for pan blocks is settled cold in the outside cisterns, 
and in most instances is brought to a saturation by the inside steam 
settlers. The salt, as it makes in the pan, is drawn out by rakes 
upon the draining board, where it remains for a time, when it is 
shoveled into barrows and taken to the store bins for further 
drainage. It is very desirable that the draining boards should be 
60 arranged in pan blocks that the workmen should not be com- 
pelled to walk over them in the operation of drawing or wheeling 
off the salt. 

By Steam. — The evaporation of salt brine by the steam process 
is now producing the largest portion of salt made in Michigan. \Ve 
take for the purpose of better describing the process a steam salt 
block which is 150 feet long, 122 feet wide, and has an elevation of 
52 feet to the top of the ventilator. Height of ventilator, 16 feet. 
Included, therefore, in the above space are the inside settlers, grain- 
era, salt bins, and packing room: 

The inside steam settlers are 150 feet long, 11 feet wide, and 6 
feet deep, made of four-inch plank, well keyed together and tightly 
calked. This block is supplied with seven grainers, 150 feet long, 
11 feet wide and 16 inches deep. Over each grainer are the drain- 
ing boards running the entire length. Passing throu«-h each 
settler and grainer, and near the bottom, are four-inch galvanized 
tnbing, four or five in number, depending on the size of the grainer, 
through which exhaust or live steam is forced. In the steam as in 
the kettle process, the brine is first pumped into the outside 
settlers, where it is partially settled. It is then drawn into the 
inside steam settlers, where it is heated up by the steam pipes and 
brought to saturation — that is, a point just preceding the 
formation of salt crystals. It is allowed to remain until all sediment 
of iron has fallen to the bottom, by which time it becomes clear as 
crystal. The brine is now ready to be drawn into the grainers, 
which are filled to about two-thirds their capacity, or nearly full. 
As the settled brine comes into the grainers quite warm and fully 
saturated it soon commences to make salt, which forms on the 
surface of the brine and then falls to the bottom of the grainers, 
when a new lot of crystals are formed to fall in the same wav. The 
brine is also occasionally stirred so as to make the crystals fine. 



430 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Thus the evaporation continues for 24 hours, the temperature 
being kept at from 170° to 175 ° of Fahrenheit. The brine being 
sufficiently evaporated by this time, the workmen commence the 
"lifting." This is done by first washiug the salt in the brine that 
is left in the grainers and then taking it out with shovels and 
throwing it on the draining boards, where it remains a number of 
hours for drainage. A large "lift" or "draw'' fills the boards 
with salt, and it is a beautiful sight to see the salt as it conies white 
and sparkling from the brine. The salt should remain on the 
draining boards to drain thoroughly 24 hours, if possible, before 
o-oino-to the bins. It lies in the bins two weeks to complete the 
drainage, when it is ready for inspection and barreling for ship- 
ment. 

SOLAR EVAPORATION OF BRINE. 

The first preparation for solar evaporation is to have a series of 
covers or wooden vats. The covers are rectangular in shape, being 
16 by 18 and from 6 to 8 inches deep. They are raised on wooden 
supports two to three feet from the ground, and are arranged in sets 
or strings. Each cover has a movable roof, which can be run on or 
off to protector expose the brine, according to the weather. At 
the end of the string of graining covers, somewhat higher and 
deeper, are the " strings " of settling covers into which the brine is 
led from the store reservoirs or cisterns. No lime is used in 
settling the brine in this process; for in these deep rooms the brine 
absorbs a portion of oxygen from the air, by which means the 
carbonate of iron which is dissolved in the recent brine is converted 
into an insoluble peroxide of iron. In Syracuse a second series of 
covers is used to get rid ot the gypsum which separates or is 
deposited in the form of a crystal. As the quantity of gypsum is 
very small in the Saginaw brines these rooms are now dispensed 
with. 

As soon as there is a show of salt crystals, the first stage of the 
process is accomplished, and the saturated brine known as salt 
pickle is ready for the last stage. It is then drawn into the salt 
room or draining vats, in which the salt soon commences to crystal- 
lize on the bottom of the covers. 

One of the conditions required for a good, large-grained solar 
salt, which is most esteemed in the market, is that the bottom of 
the covers in the salt room should be as smooth as possible, rough 
surfaces favoring the deposition of numerous small crystals. ^ It is 
also necessary to have the salt covers supplied with a sufficient 
supply of good pickle, so that the salt already deposited may always 
be covered. An exposure of the salt uncovered to the air favors 
the formation of new small crystals, and the addition of an unfin- 
ished or not sufficiently concentrated pickle produces the same 
effect. It is also important that the waste or exhausted pickle from 
which the greater part of the salt has crystallized should be dis- 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 433 

charged from time to time, as its presence not only impairs the 
quality but diminishes the quantity of the salt deposited.' 7 

The time required for the evaporation of sufficient pickle to make 
a crop depends largely upon the weather, dryand clear weather 
being, of course, most favorable; six weeks or two months is the 
usual rime. Three cropsofsall a season are gathered the firsl 
about the middle of July, the second in the early part of Septem- 
ber, and the third at the end of < October. The second crop is gen- 
erally the best, as it is coarser than the others. 

The crop of solar salt is gathered by first loosening it from 
the bottom of the "covers" with arake or spud. It is then washed 
in the pickle that is still left in the covers and "gathered" to 
the street gunwale. Here it is shoveled into draining tubs, to re- 
main a short time before being emptied into the salt carts for 
removal to the salt bins tor further drainage. 

The legal time. 14 days, required for drainage, having passed, 
the bins are opened and. the sail is packed in barrels holding five 
bushel-, or l'sii pound- -each barrel being branded with the name 
of the firm or person manufacturing the same. 

GRADES A.\D QUALITY OF MICHIGAN SALT. 

The grades of salt established by the State Inspector are as fol- 
low-: 

No I Salt'.—Fira —In barrels of 280 lbs., for general and for all 
family purposes; Packers, — In barrels of 280 lbs., suitable for pack- 
ing and bulking meat and fish, one of the finest and best brands of 
-alt for such purposes in the market; Solar — In barrels of 280 lbs., 
when screened, branded ^ Solar C tor coarse, and F Solar F for 
fine grades. The solar salt is equal in all respects to New York 
r salt. 

No. - Salt: — Second Quality — All salt intended for No. 1 of any 
of the above grades, when for any other cause it is condemned by 
the inspector, is branded second quality and sold as such. This 
salt is good for salting stock, hay. hides, etc. 

Dairy Salt. — There has been a great want of a good quality of 
this kind o\' salt so as to complete the list of Michigan salts now 
in the market. Several attempts have been made to start its manu- 
facture, but none have been successful, owing in a great part to the 
want of care in making an article of sufficient purity. The Michi- 
gan Dairy Salt Company, located at East Saginaw, was organized 
for washing, purityiug and grinding the salt, with a capacity of 200 
barrels daily, and is now in successful operation, turning out a 
superior quality of dairy salt, as the following analysis will show: 
Sulphate of lime, ..">"; chloride of calcium, .08; chloride of mag- 
nesia, .19; chloride of sodium, 99.03; moisture, .23. We can hardly 
realize the importance of the manfuacture of this grade of salt, 
putting, as it does, the farmer in possession of, at a cheap rate, a 
quality of salt for dairy purposes that cannot be excelled. 



434 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Agricultural Salt. — The use of salt for fertilizing purposes is 
no longer an experiment, but has been fully proven, not only 
scientifically and theoretically, but practically, by scores of our 
most successful agriculturists throughout the country. The Michi- 
gan manufacturers are now manufacturing a salt for fertilizing pur- 
poses that is peculiarly adapted to the use for which it is designed. 
It is entirely free from dirt or hard lumps, and is made by a process 
which leaves incorporated in the salt all the valuable plant food, as 
well as ingredients calculated to free and render soluble the 
ammonia already contained in the soil. There has been a good 
demand for this salt, chiefly second quality and refuse, during the 
past season, and the association has shipped large quantities, with 
excellent results, so far as learned. Agricultural salt sells in this 
market at $3.50 per ton. 

The demand for agricultural salt is assuming extraordinary 
proportions. A sale of 1,200 tons of this commodity was made 
recently to a Minnesota party, and orders are daily received for car 
lots. One day the association received orders for 14 cars of 
agricultural salt, nine for Minnesota, one for Dakota, two for Wis- 
consin, and two for Michigan. The value of salt as a fertilizer is 
becoming widely recognized, and the increasing demand will fur- 
nish a tieid for the disposition of the surplus production of the 
Michigan manufacturers beyond their most sanguine expectations. 

Analysis of this salt has been made to determine its value as a 
manure. It is so rusty that no one would dream of using it on his 
table, and if it were used to salt beef or lish the results would be 
disastrous, yet its value for manure may been seen from the results 
of analysis: Common salt, 87.74; chloride of potassium, 2.49; 
sulphate of lime, 1.68; carbonates of lime and magnesia, .75; oxid 
of iron, .87; water, 6.38; Total of parts, 99.91. 

Salt that contains 2^ per cent of chloride of potassium in place 
of the same amount of chloride of sodium, is worth $1 a ton more 
for mauure than pure salt. 

ANALYSIS OF SALT. 

Experience proves that the best quality of salt can be made 
from Michigan brines, and that a great preponderance of the salt 
sold in the market has been found as pure and as efficient an anti- 
septic as any mined or manufactured elsewhere, either in our own 
or foreign countries. 

The following are the -analyses of the various grades of Michigan 
salt: 

Kettle salt made by the East Saginaw Salt Company, East Sag- 
inaw, Michigan. Analysis by Dr. C. A. Goesmann: Sulphate of 
lime, 0.3165; sulphate of calcium, 0.3564; chloride of magne- 
sium, 0.1408; moisture, 3.3441; chloride of sodium (salt), 95.8422. 

Carrollton Salt Company, Carrollton, Michigan. Kettle salt. 
Analysis by Dr. H. C. Halm: Sulphate of lime, 0.405; chloride 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 435 

of calcium, 1.127; chloride pf magnesium, < >.. r )17; moisture, 
3.292; chloride of sodium (salt), 94.669. 

Pan .-air made by Bay City Salt Company, Bay City, Michigan. 
Analysis by S. S. Garrigues, Ph. D.: Sulphate of lime, 0.696; 
chloride of calcium, 0.329; chloride of magnesium, 0.340; mois- 
ture L.346; chlorideof sodium (salt), 97.288. 

Pan >alt made by Taylor & Co., Milwaukee. Analysis by Dr. 
II. C Halm: Sulphate of lime, 0.088; chloride of calcium, 0.737; 
chloride of magnesium, 0.445; chloride of sodium (salt), 98 730. 

Steam salt made by Buffalo Salt Company, East Saginaw, Mich- 
igan. Analysis by Dr. II. C. Ilahn: Sulphate of lime, 0.478; 
chloride of calcium, L.365; chloride of magnesium, 0.694; mois- 
ture, 3. t78; chloride of sodium (salt), 94.366. 

Steam salt made by New York and Michigan Salt Company, at 
Zilwaukee. Analysis by Dr. II. C. Ilahn: Sulphate of lime, 
0.363; chloride of calcium. 0.699; chloride of magnesium, 0.313; 
moisture, 3.308; chloride of sodium (salt), 95.327. 

lar salt made by Mast Saginaw Salt Company, East Saginaw. 
Analysis by Dr. C. A. Groesmann: Sulphate of lime, 0.3165; 
chloride of calcium, 0.3564; chloride of magnesium, 0.1408; 
moisture, 3.3560; chloride of sodium (salt), 95.8333. 

Solar salt made by New York and Michigan Salt Company, at 
Zilwaukee. Analysis by Dr. H. C. Ilahn: Sulphate of lime 
0.173} chloride of calcium, 0.743; chloride of magnesium, 0.417; 
moisture, 2.197; chlorideof sodium (salt), 96.470. 

Analysis of pan salt from White Rock, Michigan, made by Dr. 
( . A. Goesmann: Sulphate of lime, 0.81; chloride of calcium, 
0.41; Chloride of magnesium. 0.28, water, 1.80; chlorideof 
Bodium, 96.70. 

Analysis of Michigan barrel salt, made by James R. Blaney, of 
< Shicago: 

Packer. Com Fine. 

Chloride of sodium ( pure salt) 96.453 96.779 

calcium .152 .449 

magnesium .288 .480 

Sulphate of lime (gypsum) .427 .292 

Moisture 2680 . 2.000 

100.000 100.000 

Average analysis of common salt, made by Dr. C. A. Goes- 
maim, of Syracuse salt: Sulphate of lime, 1.2550; chloride of cal- 
cium. 0.1550; chloride of magnesium, 0.1369; moisture, 3.0000; 
chloride of sodium (salt), 95.4531. 

FUEL. 

The fuel used iii kettle blocks is cord wood, mixed soft and hard, 
refuse slabs, and sawdust from saw-mills. Mixed wood now costs 
si. 25 [»er cord, delivered at block. Slabs costs 45 to 50 cents per 
cord at the mills. A kettle block will consume 10 cords of mixed 
wood in 24 hours, or 16 cords of slabs in the same time. 



436 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

BARRELS, MATERIAL AND COST. 

The salt barrels of Michigan are now mostly made of pine staves 
and heading. In some localities elm staves and ash headings are 
used. Most of the pine staves are made of the refuse lumber from 
the saw-mills. The elm stave is mostly made from stave bolts cut 
for that purpose. There were manufactured into salt barrels last 
year, staves, heading, and hoops as follows: Staves, 53,591,760; 
heading, 16,077,528; hoops, 26,795,888. 

The barrels are mostly made by hand in cooper shops connected 
with salt blocks. The average cost of salt barrels is from 20 to 22 
cents. 

COOPERAGE. 

All staves must be of such length that when the barrel is finished 
it shall not be less than 30-J- inches or more than 31£ inches long. 
Soft-wood staves, whether rove or cut, to be half an inch thick. 
Hard-wood staves 7-16 of an inch thick after seasoning. Staves 
not more than four inches wide, of sound timber, and properly 
pointed. Heading must be f of an inch thick, of good, sound 
lumber, free from holes or unsound knots, smooth for branding. 
No basswood will be allowed for either staves or heading. Hoops 
to be one inch wide and quarter of an inch thick, 10 to each barrel, 
shaved and well set. Barrels for fine salt must have heads 17^ 
inches in diameter. Chime to be one inch from point of croze. 
Bilge from 21 to 21^ inches in diameter outside. Solar salt may 
be packed in barrels not less than 30 inches in length with a head 
16^ inches. Barrels charred on the inside must be rejected. 

LABOR. 

The work connected with a kettle block can be accomplished by 
seven men and one two-horse team, divided as follows: two boilers, 
two firemen, one engineer, one salt-packer and one teamster. The 
capacity of pan blocks being greater than that of kettle blocks, 
more labor is required and is divided as follows: four boilers, three 
firemen, two engineers, two salt-packers and two or three team- 
sters. 

COST OF SALT WELLS AND BLOCKS. 

The expense of putting down a salt well varies, of course, ac- 
cording to the depth. In Saginaw county the average depth of the 
well is 800 feet, while down the river the average is about 1,000 
feet. The average expense of sinking a well, including drill house 
and machinery, is about $3,000. The expense of erecting a block 
ranges from $8,000 to $25,000, according to capacity, and the 
blocks produce from 75 to 250 barrels per day. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



437 



The following is a table showing companies in Saginaw county, 
amounl of sail made, aumber of kettles, pans, depth of wells, for 
the \ ear l^ s <> : 



MANUFACTURERS. 



E Hubbell, E. Saginaw 

Martindale Bros. E. Saginaw. 

Cook & 1 Inward. 



as 



W \ O'Donnell. " 

F. Bischke, " • • • ■ 

Uorey & Delano, " • • • • 
Eaton, Potter & Co., Saginaw.. 
J.F.A D. W. Rush&Co., E.Sag. 
Btevens & v o , " 

.1 . L. Remington & ( !o.," • • • • 
Burnham & Still, Saginaw .... 
Camp A: Stillman, E. Saginaw... 
Sample & ('amp, " • • • • 

Nelson Holland " 
Warm r & Eastman, ■• 

I '. & E. Ten Eyck, " 

John G. < >wen, - 

Jesse lloyt. " .... 

Barringer, " • • • • 

6.V. Turner & Son. " 

D. Whitney, jr., " 

Hamilton, McLunA Co.. E.Sag 
Rush, Eaton & Co . Saginaw. . 
J. F. Dries' Sons, E- Saginaw 

A. T. Bliss Bros., Saginaw 

Wood A I icy noli is. V'. Saginaw 

Degraw, Aymer<& Co.. " 

I.i I »u & Phinney, " ■ • • • 
Sanborn A 151iss," " 
T. Jerome & Co.,' Saginaw. . . . 
K. F. Gould, '• — 

James Riley, E. Saginaw . . . 
Wm. B. Mershon, E.Saginaw... 

Shaw & Williams. " 

Jas. Perrin, '" 

Kniffen Bros., " 

< lias. Merrill & Co., " 

Wylie Bros., " 

J. H. IVarson& Son, Saginaw 

A. W. Wriehl A Co., ".... 

Brand & llardi-n. 

D. Harden & Co., '.... 

,; F. Williams Bros.. 

N.« A. Barnard & Co., 

Ni & A. Harnard, 

Sag. barrel Works. ". . . 

Alex. Swift, ". . . 

Sturtevant, Green & Co., ". . . . 

Nason A Allen. E. Saginaw... 



1.54H 

9,883 

I J ."i:jc» 

/ 3,626 

6,781 

4.?iil 
9,336 
25,80U 
41,156 
11,643 
30,»60 
12,645 
11.114 
18.251 
39,872 
29,082 
23,029 
L5,55U 
17,260 
17,450 
12,426 
65 254 
60,834 
24,800 
17,215 
80,490 
26,232 
29,680 
new 
24,138 
34,498 
20,671 
•.'3,432 
88,083 
I ."..in -j 
I 17.273 
8,400 
3,581 
27,226 
29.60J 
28,196 
4:l'2 1.1 
6,812 
8,921 
::4,.-,!ii) 
20,826 

oS.'.IS'J 

15,400 

::ii.<;:- 
82,113 

8,574 



Sz!l 521 



T. 



~ 



120 



a 



A 



193 



•-Mi'.).". 



500 



60 . . 
... 3 



a 



830 



823 
820 
820 
762 
750 

' 75U 
7.")(i 

750 



Mode of Manu- 
facture. 



806 



Pan. 

Steam. 
Pan. 



Steam. 
Pan. 

Steam. 



Steam and Pan 
Steam. 



lloli 
ICO 

860 Steam & Solar. 

825 

835 

835 



163 
763 
835 

743 

800 
800 
800 



800 



741 

110 
110 
770 
830 
830 



830 



Pan. 

Steam & Pan. 

Steam & Solar. 

Steam. 

Pan. 

Steam. 

Steam & Pan. 

Steam. 

Pan. 

Steam. 

Pan. 

Steam. 

Pan. 

Steam. 



Steam & Pan. 

Steam. 

Steam & Pan. 

Steam. 



Steam & Pan. 




438 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

SYSTEM OF INSPECTION. 

The irregularities that crept into the manufacture of salt, de- 
teriorating its quality and value, soon made it evident that some 
system of inspection would have to be adopted to protect the care- 
ful manufacturer against the ignorance and carelessness of 
others. 

As early as the year 1865 a system of local inspection was adopted 
by a number of salt manufacturers, which had a tendency to improve 
a portion of the salt product. The inspection, however, not being 
a general one, and there being no State law by which offenders 
could be punished, the effectiveness of the inspection was greatly 
diminished, and it soon became evident that some more stringent 
system, backed by a {State law, would be the only way to secure 
uniformity of manufacture. 

Dr. Garrigues came to this city in 1862 and at once interested 
himself in the salt industry. He opened a laboratory and com- 
menced the analysis of salt, and shortly after commenced work in 
a salt block for the purpose of obtaining a practical knowledge ot 
the manufacture. He started the work in three blocks of the 
Chicago Salt Co., and subsequently blocks for Asa Sheldon, Bay 
City, and also a block for Van Etten & Mershon, at Salzburg. In 
the spring of 1863 the agitation of a salt inspection law commenced, 
and on June 21, of that year, Dr. Garrigues was recommended by 
Mayor C. B. Mott and the board of aldermen, consisting of Aids. 
Jeffers, Glasby, Bingham and Eastman, as a suitable person for 
the position of salt inspector. The recommendation also bears 
indorsement ot Hon. Jno. F. Driggs. The inspection bill, how- 
ever, failed to pass the Legislature. Dr. Garrigues then took 
charge of a block at Bay City for N. S. Clark, and from there went 
to Kawkawlin, where he was connected with Ballou & Co., in the 
manufacture of salt. He remained with this firm until 1864, when 
he enlisted in the 29th Michigan Volunteer Infantry and went to 
the war. In 1866 a bill was passed by the State Legislature estab- 
lishing boards of trade and granting them authority to appoint in- 
spectors of produce and salt. Under this act rules and regulations 
were adopted by the salt committee, created by the East Saginaw 
Board of Trade, and Dr. Garrigues was appointed salt inspector 
for the following works: 

East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Co., Chicago Salt Works, H. 
A. Ballentine & Co. 's works, Bellevue Salt works, Western Salt 
Co. 's works, Geo. II. Taylor & Co.'s works, Carrollton Mill & Salt 
Co., Wayne County Salt Co., SalinaSalt Co., Carter Bros., Albany 
Salt Co., Medina Salt Co., Rust & Ingledew, Buffalo Salt Co., 
Oneida Salt Co., N. B. Nye & Co., Ann Arbor & Saginaw Salt 
Co., ]S". S. Lockwood. Others were subsequently added. 

On March 11, 1867, the Doctor reported to these manufacturers 
the result of his work, it being the first salt report published in the 
Valley. In 1867 another attempt was made to pass an inspection 
bill but it failed. 

In the spring of 1869 an inspection bill was introduced which 
pasfed, and Dr. Garrigues received the appointment of inspector, 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTr, 



439 



which he has held to the present time, giving the work his earnest 
and constant attention. To his efforts and fidelity to the salt in- 
dustry is largely due the excellent reputation Saginaw salt has 
achieved in the markets of the country. 

The salt inspection year begins in December, and the labor of 
the State Salt [nspector continued almost uninterruptedly through- 
out the succeeding 12 months. With the object of placing before 
the reader a review of all the Inspector and his assistants arecapa- 
ble of performing within one month, as well as of the personnel of 
the salt association of Michigan the following statement, showing 
the amount of salt inspected in the several salt districts of the State 
during the month of May. L881, is given: — 



SALT INSPECTED FOR MEMBERS OF 
THE ASSOCIATION. 

BBLS. 

Avers & Oo 3,300 

Worthington & Sons 1,423 

F. Crawford 7,333 

15.1m. it Baskell 2,000 

T.Winsor & Co 5.060 

Williamson, Eaken & Co 1,200 

G. P. H. P. Smith & Co 1,071 

J.Jenks &Co 6,500 

OBCOda Salt A: Lumber Co 1,123 

Port H<-|.f Salt Co 4,000 

Thomson Bros 5,600 

Pack, Woods A Co 3.441 

R.J. Briscoe 700 

Eddy Bros 8s0 

F. E. Bradley A Co 4,008 

N. B. Bradley & Sons 7,872 

Dolsen. Chapin & Co 5,521 

ESddy, Avery & Eddy 5,402 

Folsom & Arnold.. .' 2.665 

J. R. Ball 5;4S4 

I. L. Hotchkiss 4,600 

Hay. Buiman & Co 800 

Keystone Salt A Lumber Co 789 

Laderach Bros 1,100 

W H Malone 2,626 

Miller* Lewis ::.77<> 

- M. Lane & Bon 4,000 

Wm. McKwen 1,026 

Smith A Sons 1,127 

Thos. M.Craw & (',, 10,907 

Murphy & Dorr 6,030 

Pitts A Cranage 4,392 

A. Rust A Bro 3,873 

11 W. Sage & Co 6.150 

Hamilton & McClure 9,843 

X. A A. Barnard A- Co 2,084 

X. A A. Harnard 8,756 

II ami it nil A McGregor 2,487 

Degraw. Aymer & Co 3,900 

Ledue «S Phinney 1,980 

Eaton, Potter & Co 1,600 

T.Jerome .V: Co 1,423 



BBL.8. 

Carrier & Co 2,679 

Wm. B. Mershon 900 

.1.11. Pierson&Son 2,728 

J. F. 6c D. W. Rust & Co 2,450 

Remington&Co 2,000 

Ri st, Eaton & Co 1,700 

C M. Williams 46 

H. S.Bradt 2,309 

C. & E. Ten Eyck 2,159 

C. V. Turner & Son 1,300 

D. Whitney, jr 8,958 

Wood & Reynolds 700 

A. W. Wright & Co 1,617 

G. F. Williams Bros 1,030 

Wvlie Bros 500 

Nason & Allen 2,000 

I.arkin & Patrick 2,302 

Chas. Merrill & Co 3,004 

McBean ct Son 900 

J. G. Owen 3,574 

Emery Bros 1,570 

James Riley 379 

Nelson Holland 6,145 

SALT INSPECTED FOR MANUFACTURERS 
OUTSIDE OF THE ASSOCIATION. 

D. Hardin & Co 93 

Harden & Plumer 4,488 

Sample & Camp 511 

W. P. Stevens 1,763 

Henry Farmer, Agt 340 

Sanborn cV Bliss. 4.752 

A. T. Bliss Bros 3.434 

A. Chesbrough.. 1,222 

Wm. Peter. 3,131 

New River Salt Co 3.000 

Rouse Bros 1 ,777 

W C. Cram 586 

J. I). Ketchum 070 

Foster & McGill 1.480 

.1. Herrick &Co 1.727 

Total 232,218 



Of the total amount inspected 200,563 barrels were handled by 
the !Salt Association of Michigan, and 31,655 barrels were handled 
outside of the association. 



CHAPTER XIV. • 
AGRICULTURAL— PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE. 

From whatever standpoint the Valley is reviewed, it appears im- 
mensely fair. It is conceded that its lumber and salt interests are 
incomparable; but some have groundlessly doubted that its agri- 
cultural interests are very respectable. Now, by some strange 
revolution of physical appearances, the great pines of the Saginaw 
region spring from lands as rich as ever bore a forest, — lands which 
to-day yield aplenty to a large and prosperous agricultural popu- 
lation, and which to-morrow will grow in public esteem until they 
form the gardens of the Peninsula. 

C. P. Reynolds, in addressing the farmers of Saginaw, said: 

" It may seem strange that one should speak of a new Michigan. 
The name suggests a newly discovered land, having possibly a 
new and distinctive flora and animals, and climate relations to 
produce them. Such possibilities excite the curiosity of the nat- 
uralist, the geologist, as well as the agriculturist, who combine all 
those elements, for here is a new world to conquer, undeveloped 
resources to be added to the wealth of science and the State. It is 
not the object of this hastily written paper to excite such curiosity, 
especially among such as are ever eager to learn some new thing, 
like the old Athenians, but it will have accomplished its neces- 
sarily limited purpose if our New Michigan but catch a passing 
glance from our much loved Michigan, that has long held the at- 
tention of her sister States as the gem of the lakes, richly endowed 
with resources that, though new and undeveloped, have already 
swelled the wealth and honor of our glorious Union. 

"When Father Marquette stood awe-struck on the island that 
commands the Straits of Mackinaw, and took in at a glance those 
immense maple groves that bound the northern limit and fringe 
those ocean lakes, something more than mere religious zeal bowed 
his head as he listened in silent adoration to the sighing of the 
pine forests overhead, mingled with the rippling of the water at 
his feet. Religious zeal has ever been true to patriotism and love 
of country, from Columbus, the great discoverer, down to the late 
Sir John Franklin, so long lamented, and whose bones, bleaching 
under arctic frosts, are but the teachings of the divine Master, 
' Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the 
things that are God's.' 

ki Martyrs to religion, patriotism and science — how their glorious 
names illustrate history, and add godliness to manliness, to which 
all other things are added. These sublime qualities characterized 
many of the pioneer settlers of our new Michigan, of whom our 

(441) 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 441 

time is too limited to make mention; but we may safety date its 
discovery from the time that Pere Marquette built his little Indian 
church at Point Lgnace, opposite the Island of Mackinaw, and 
rook possession of the country in the name of his king and Church, 

bearing true allegiance to both. His bones were buried under the 
ruins of the little church his zeal had built. Other illustrious 
names might be added to his. but they are connected more inti- 
mately with older Michigan; older, because westward the star of 
empire took its way. leaving the pine forests of the north, await- 
ing the slow development of commerce and other outgrowths of 
civilization that ever follow the advance of the pioneer, whose 
sturdy Btrokes level the forest and carve out homes in the wilder- 
aess. 

u The antiquarian might be curious to investigate the; gigantic 
skeletons that have been recently exhumed from the mounds ot 
Devil river, on tin- west shore of Lake Huron; but they evidently 
belong t<> the prehistoric age. and though huge in stature, were 
not a superior race, for they have left no monument excepting 
their graves, ami nothing of practical usefulness, excepting, per- 
haps, the carbonate of lime in their bones. Let us rather speak 
of men who came and saw and conquered by the power of a mighty 
purpose that has left its impress indelibly written on forest and 
field, island ami lake, from the Saginaw of the south to the lakes 
ot' the north, such as must ever live, as the undivided glory of the 
Peninsular State. 

•• We might speak of the fishermen who were the first white 
men that skirted over her shores; but we cannot justly accord to 
them any part of the fame attached to our slowly progressive civ- 
ilization, for what fishermen have founded States, built cities, 
framed codes ot law which add true greatness to human progress? 
Their name i^ not legion. True, the demand for fish barrels added 
somewhat to the value of pine trees, and possibly introduced the 
Lumbering business j M ;l small way. but the nature of the fishing 
business has no real permanency of character, nor has a fish diet 
developed any perceptible increase of intellect to the eaters, as 
some scientists have taught, and their general character was law- 
lessness and cruelty,— the natural result of their business. Fish- 
ermen as a class have not been the. highest type of developed 
manhood, physically or morally, for they have left on the land the 
same impress they did on the waters they navigated, so that the 
fish epoch in our history ha- added little to practical usefulness 
and nothing to the glory ot' the State. The lumbering epoch has 
a prominence all its own; it came as the representative of capital. 
that great want of all new countries, to assist labor, and their co- 
operation are the great necessities to human progress; but when 
capital owns the pine that labor cuts down and drags to the mill 
or the lake for transportation, and a foreign market receiving all 
the Ik netit of the combination, leaving nothing but the stumps as 
evidence of the departed, it is hard to tell where any public bene- 
fit is received, calculated upon a fair division of profits. 



442 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

" When capital builds wells and salt blocks and combines all the 
values that labor confers, then skilled labor is stimulated, villages 
and cities are built, and the whole machinery of trade set in motion, 
then labor receives its share of the profits, and a tidal wave of 
prosperity blesses every one it touches. As a distinctive feature 
and the actuating cause of the slow progress of the northern part 
of Michigan, it is noticeable that labor receives no part of the 
profits, makes little progress, and therefore is called new in con- 
tradiction of the more favored parts of the State, where agriculture 
early became the leading interest of the country. 

41 It does not require the oldest inhabitant of the Saginaws to 
give the date of the advent of agriculture as a self-sustaining 
avocation, for its years may be counted upon the fingers, but its 
permanency is as much a certainty as the fever and ague to the inhab- 
itants, for whom the frequent stirring of the soil provides the 
antidote and early cure. Long after her busy mills are silent for 
want of logs, her' brands of flour will be noted in the markets of 
the world where her lumber has ceased to be quoted, for com will 
be king. 

" Stimulation by the increasing wants of the lumbermen for hay 
and coarse grain, led to the accidental discovery that such products 
were among the possibilities of new Michigan, and a few adven- 
turous spirits solved the problem that they could and would grow, 
and lumbermen at once discovered their fatal mistake in not hav- 
ing earlier fostered its promotion by encouraging its growth. 

" It is passing strange that lumbering and farming have not 
nourished together in this valley at an earlier date. Never did 
the producer and consumer have greater interests in common, nor 
come nearer together than when they met in the woods of north- 
ern Michigan. 

"The location and climate influence in new Michigan have been 
found especially favorable for growing grain, and particularly 
wheat (of which a few samples are here on exhibition), the forest 
protection and deep snows of winter favor that cereal and make it 
so much a certainty that, although not a prophet, we will predict 
that the wheat-producing regions will ere long be found north of 
the Saginaws. Corn, supposed to be exceptional north of the 
Ohio, matures perfectly many varieties of the better kinds among 
the wintry glades of the wintry north. A few samples are exhib- 
ited in our small collection as proof of the statement. Oats and 
peas are a specialty, and barley — that iron-clad of all the cereals — 
is at home among us. Oats have been produced to yield 90 bush- 
els, average per acre; wheat 40 bushels, and other grain, especially 
peas, are equally favorable to the producer and consumer." 

Northern Michigan has for many years after the organization of 
the Territory and for long after its admission to the sisterhood of 
States, by no means kept pace with the lower portion of the State. 
In the course of time settlements sprung up along the Huron, 
Grand river and other streams, and immigration followed the 
then natural channels of transportation. But with the advent of 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 443 

railroads a great change was effected. The fertile oak openings 
attracted the attention of thousands of hardy pioneers — settlements 
multiplied, a greater and greater area of virgin soil was subjected 
to cultivation. In the Forests the woodman's ax, and on the 
openings the settler's plow were the harbingers of a glorious day 
— a future whose realization has in part been accomplished. 
Before the era of railways this development had fairly begun. The 
emigrants' wagons, drawn by patient, weary oxen that had plodded 
the many miles separating the cultivated fields and thriving, pros- 
perous villages and cities of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New 
York, or of the remoter East, dotted the way; the camp-fires 
marked countless resting places, and the smoldering ashes of way- 
side fires were fruitful in their after results. 

As long ago as 1822 the first American settlement was made in 
the territory now comprised in Saginaw county. A few adventurers 
had followed an Indian trail, and had encamped on the banks 
of the Tittabawassee. Adventurous, indeed, was such an expedition, 
and numerous were the trials and hardships endured by the 
participants. But they found this a fair land, — the earth teemed 
with fatness, and .the hardy pioneers, whose wants were few and 
simple, soon began to rejoice in the comforts of life, and were 
rapidly followed by friends, who had but recently warned them 
against the perilous expedition. 

In the early organization of the State the counties were princi- 
palities in themselves. 

Under an act of the Legislature of the Territory passed during 
the session of 1S22, the county of Saginaw was organized, and its 
boundaries defined. 

After it had been divested of its original greatness as regards 
area, it was subdivided into 27 townships, and these became in the 
course of time well settled with an industrious population, men who 
changed the entire face of the country from a most primitive rude- 
ness into fertile fields and busy villages. 

THE SAGINAW COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

A meeting for the organization of a county agricultural society 
\va> held at Buena Vista Hall, East Saginaw, March 24, 1860. 
The i a 11 having been read, on motion, Wm. McBratnie was called 
to the chair and George F. Lewis chosen secretary. 

A committee was appointed consisting of W. L. Webber, M. W. 
Qnackenbush, C. McBratnie, Wm. M. Smith, John Wiltse, who 
reported a constitution, which was adopted. 

The following officers were elected: President, Barney H. York; 
Vice-Presidents, Geo. F. Vein Fleet, Wm. M. Smith, Wm. 
McBratnie, W. J: Bartow; Secretary, Geo. F. Lewis; Treasurer, 
Thomas L. Jackson. The members of the Executive Committee: 
John Wiltse, Wellington \l. Burt, John G. Hubinger, Andrew 
Crafoot, Andrew Goetz. X. S. Beach, Robert Ure. 



444 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S FIRST COUNTY FAIR. 

The first exposition held under the auspices of the County 
Agricultural Society, was that of Oct. 3, 4 and 5, 1866, since which 
time the fairs of the society have been attended with most benefi- 
cent results. Each fair served to indicate among the agricultural 
classes a sense of their position among the people, and in many 
other respects was productive of much good. 

For years the society continued its useful career until its success 
was crowned by the organization of a kindred association, 

THE SAGINAW INSTITUTE. 

A meeting of this institute was held Jan. 28 and 29, 1877, under 
the presidency of Hon. 0. D. Little. Prof. A. J. Cook, Geo. F. 
Lewis, Dr. I. 1ST. Smith, Dr. M. C. T. Plessner, Prof. Geo. T. 
Fairchild, Robert Ure, Dr. Cowell, E. F. Guild, W. L. Webber, 
Denis Cole, Prof. W. J. Beal, Prof. Cornelius Gower, Dr. Whiting, 
Prof. C. L. Ingersoll, Dr. Jerome, Prof. R. C. Carpenter, Geo. 
Leman, W. A. Lewis, D. Bow, Isaac Marston and C. P. Reynolds, 
were among those present on the occasion, and participated in the 
lectures and discussions of the meeting. This was the first "farm- 
ers' institute" ever held in Northern Michigan. 

In February, 1878, the "Saginaw County Farmers' Club" was 
organized, with 23 members. This club has contributed much to 
advance the agricultural interests of the Valley, and has otherwise 
benefited the farmers of the district by inducing them to meet 
together for the discussion of matters vitally important to them as 
agriculturists. 



CHAPTER XV. 

RAILROADS AND NAVIGATION. 

At an early period in the history of the county the thoughts of 
the settlers often adverted to the existing necessity for either a canal 
or railroad to connect the little outside world with the federal 
republic of Saginaw. The ideas of the settlers were theoretically 
correct, but entirely too premature. Many great works were per- 
fected on paper. Not only canals but also railroads were spread out 
in every direction from Saginaw City. A few of the numerous day- 
dreams of the period assumed practical shape, but the financial 
crisis stayed all progress.. For a long period the people battled 
with the reverses which were entailed by the panic, rose above them, 
and alternately succeeded in surpassing even the highest notion 
of internal improvement held by them in early years. 

THE SAGINAW A- MT. CLEMENS RAILROAD. 

As early as 1835 Saginaw City dreamed of great deeds, and actually 
witnessed the organization of a company, having for its object the 
construction of a railroad from Saginaw City to Mt. Clemens, via 
Lapeer. The capital stock of the railroad-builders was set down 
at $1,000,000. With this sum of money the company promised 
to begin the work within four years after the grant of the charter, 
to complete 10 miles of track within 8 years, 45 miles within 
15 years, and the whole distance of 90 miles within 40 years. 

THE SAGINAW & GENESEE RAILROAD COMPANY 

was another idea which took possession of the minds of the early 
settlers. The company proposed to construct a railroad from 
Saginaw City to the center of Genesee county, a distance of 40 
miles. The company was organized in 1837, with a stock of 
$400,000. On this very limited capital a charter was sought, the 
petition containing a promise that work should be begun 
within one year subsequent to the granting of the authority by the 
State, and the line completed within seven years from the date of 
charter. This enterprise was entirely theoretical. 

THE FLINT A- PERE MARQUETTE TCAILUOAD. 

This was the first railroad company that adopted any practical 
method of opening up the Saginaw region. Contrary to all prece- 
dent, the stockholders authorized a commencement to be made at 
the end; in other words, to run the line from west to east. 

1 44.".) 



446 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The company was organized Jan. 21, 1857. The provisions 
of the law donating lands to this company were accepted Feb. 
24, 1857. The map of location of line was tiled in the office of the 
Secretary of State Aug. 7, 1857, and in the General Land Office, 
Washington, Aug. 18, 1857. The first directors of the company 
were Henry M. Henderson, Benjamin Pierson, Artemas Thayer, 
Robert D. Lamond, Cornelius Roosevelt, George M. Dewey, Will- 
iam Paterson, Alvin T. Crossman and Josiah Pratt, of the citv of 
Flint. 

The work of grading the road began in August, 1858, under the 
contractor, F. W. Paul. Up to March, 1859, about $10,000 had 
been expended in grading, when Samuel Farwell and H. C. Potter, 
of Utica, N. Y., and T. D. Estabrook, of Great Bend, Pa., were 
associated in the contract. Track-laying was commenced at 
EastSaginawAug.il, 1859; first freight over the road, 32,000 
feet of lumber from Smith's mill, 13 milesout to E. Saginaw, Aug. 
11,1860; first 20-mile section of road accepted by Gov. Wisner, 
Sept. 5, 1860; road opened to Mt. Morris, 26^ miles, in January, 
1862. The other section of the road and tributary lines were 
opened as follows: Flint & Holly railroad, Flint to Holly, Nov. 
1, 1864, 17 miles; East Saginaw to Midland, Dec. 1, 1867, 20 
miles; Midland to Averill's, Dec. 1, 1858, 6|- miles; Averill's to 
Clare, Nov., 1870, 23 miles; Clare to west line T. 17, 6 W., Dec. 
29, 1870, 10£ miles; total miles, 111; Bay City & East Saginaw, 
Nov., 1867, 13 miles. The Holly, Wayne & Monroe railroad was 
completed in 1872, bringing Saginaw into direct communication 
with Toledo. 

The section of the main line and branches completed sinee track- 
laying first commenced are as follows: 

In September, 1860, completed 20 miles. 

In December, 18(32, completed 13 miles. 

In December, 1867, completed 20 miles. 

In 1868, completed 7 miles. 

In 1870, completed 36 miles. 

In 1871, completed 27 miles. 

In 1867, East Saginaw & Bay City line built 13 miles. 

In 1868, leased Flint & Holly railroad : 17 miles. 

In 1871, built Holly, Wayne & Monroe railroad 65 miles. 

On September 1, 1872, completed Flint River railroad, running from a 
point three miles north of Flint, through Geneseeville and Otisville, 
to Otter Lake 1 15 miles 

Clare County branch, extending north to Harrison 6 miles 

In 1880, Round Lake branch, Butler Junction north to Webber 4 miles 

The road in operation Dec. 31, 1880, was: 

Main Line. Sidings. 

Ludington to Monroe 253.31 64.50 

East Saginaw to Bay City 12.35 6.23 

Otter Lake branch 14 41 1.60 

St. Clair branch 3.94 1.52 

Saginaw & Clare County railroad 15.50 15.19 

Saginaw & Mt. Pleasant railroad 15.02 .97 

Manistee railroad (in part) 3.18 .59 

317.71 90.60 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY 447 

Total main line and sidings, 408.11 miles. Of the main line 
200 miles are steel rail. 

During 185!', 20 miles of line were graded from Saginaw river 
easterly, and eight miles of rail were laid. The first rail was laid 
at the edge of Saginaw river, Aug. L9, L859, and a large delega- 
tion of citizens participated in the driving of the first spike. Owing 
to hard times, work was suspended on the line from about Nov. 

I. 1859, to the summer of the following year. At the election, 
July 6, l s i'><\ the directors chosen were E. B. Ward and Charles A. 
Trowbridge, of Detroit; B. Pierson, A. J. Bross, Win. Hamilton, 
A. T. Crussman and Or. M. Dewey, of Flint; H. D. Faulkner, of 
New Fork, and M. L. Drake. ofPontiac. Capt. Ward was chosen 
President, Mr. Drake, Secretary, and Mr. Grossman, Treasurer. 
During this season, track-laying was completed for a distance of 
20 miles from Saginaw river, and a certificate was granted after 
persona] inspection, by Gov. Wisner, as required by the Land Grant 
Act, Sept. 5. 1860. The road was not then opened for traffic, how- 
ever, and it was not till the fall and winter of 1861 that iron was 
laid as far as the crossing of the plank road, at Mt. Morris, 26ir 
miles from the Saginaw river. 

The first engine used on the road was called the "Pollywog," a 
small second-hand locomotive, bought at Schenectady for s2,000. 
It was shipped on the schooner "Quickstep" from Buffalo, arrived 
Aug. 31, and was landed at Fast Saginaw Sept. 2, 1S59. The same 
machine, after a thorough rebuilding, still does service on the road 
under the name of "Pioneer. " 

The road was opened Jan. 20, 1862; on that day an excursion ride 
was tendered to a great number of the citizens over the road. The 
train, consisting oi the "Pollywog,"' one baggage car and one 
coach, was all at the disposal of the passenger department of the 
road at that period. The time occupied in making the trip of 
L'H.l mile- t<> Mt. Morris was four hours, and that in returning five 
hours. 

Jan. 20 t<> 27, the receipts of the road from passenger traffic 
were only $102.54; the week succeeding it fell to $100.31. The 
freight and passenger traffic from Jan. 20, to Dec. 1, 1862, 
amounted to $31,764.37, of which £19,254.15 resulted from pas- 
senger traffic. 

The reorganization of the company was perfected b y the election 
of the following persons as directors: Henry A. V. Post, Henry 

II. Fish. Abrani G. Brower, Loum Snow, jr., Francis Hathaway. 
Jesse Hoyt, James C. Parrish, Cornelius D. Wood, William w. 
Crapo, Henry C. Potter and William L. Webber. At the 
annual meeting held at Fast Saginaw. May 18, 1881, the 
following stockholders were elected directors for the ensuing year: 
Jesse Hoyt, Alfred M. Hoyt and Cornelius D. Wood, of New 
York: Wm. W. Crapo, Francis Hathaway and Loum Snow, of New 
Bedford, Ma^>. : Lewis Pierce, of Portland, Me. ; Abram G. Brower, 
of Itica. NY.: Wm. L.Webber, IL C. Potter and U. 0. Potter, jr., 
of East Saginaw. 



448 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

THE F. & P. M. K. R. LAND GRANT. 

The Congress of the United States, by an act entitled l ' An act 
making a grant of alternate sections of the public lands to the 
State of Michigan, to aid in the construction of certain rail- 
roads in said State, and for other purposes," approved June 3, 
1856, granted land to the State of Michigan, to aid in the construc- 
tion (among others) of a railroad from Fere Marquette to Flint. 
The State of Michigan, by an act of the Legislature entitled u An 
act disposing of certain grants of land made to the State of Michi- 
gan for railroad purposes, by an act of Congress, approved June 3, 
1856, " approved Feb. 15, 1857, conferred upon the Flint & Fere 
Marquette Railway Company so much of the lands granted by 
Congress as pertained to a railroad from Fere Marquette to Flint. 

This grant comprsed 511,492.22 acres. But a deduction must be 
made from it, as, for example, 131,000 acres granted to the F. & 
F. M.,G. R. &L, and J. L. &. S. railroads in common. The grants 
are conflicting. 

Not one-half of the original grant received by the company has 
been disposed of. The lands, are located west of the Saginaw 
river and in the counties through which the road runs. 

These lands are valuable not only for the pine found upon them, 
but for farming purposes. The Government in granting this land 
to the railroad followed its usual course and charged double mini- 
mum price for the even numbered sections within the railroad 
limits. Still its lands are nearly all disposed of, and very largely 
settled upon, which would not have been the case if the railroad 
had not opened the district. W. L. Webber is the land commis- 
sioner, and under his administration of the office every facility 
has been afforded settlers to build happy homes and acquire a 
lasting and valuable property in the wheat district of the future. 

JACKSON, LANSING & SAGINAW RAILROAD. 

The construction of this important line was first projected in 
1856. The act of Congress of June 3 of that year, granting lands 
to the State of Michigan to aid in the construction of railroads, 
provided for a road from Ainboy, in Hillsdale county, near the 
south line of the State, by the way of Lansing, to some point at or 
near Traverse Bay. Two companies were organized for the pur- 
pose of constructing this road. One, called the Arnboy & Traverse 
Bay Railroad Company, making Jackson a point in the line of the 
road, was organized in December, 1856, with a capital of $5,000,000, 
of which Hon. M. Shoemaker, of Jackson., was the president; and the 
other, called the Ainboy, Lansing & Traverse Bay Railroad Com- 
pany, making Albion a point, was organized Jan. 23, 1S57, with 
the same capital, of which Marvin Hannahs, of Albion, was the 
first president. The grant was conferred by the Legislature on 
the latter company, and was formally accepted by the company 
March 5, 1857. Among the directors named in the articles of 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 449 

association were Hon. H. L. Miller, of Saginaw City, and M. L. 
Gage, Esq., of East Saginaw. 

The first meeting of stockholders was held at Albion, June 3, 
L857, at which A. L. Williams, M. Hannahs, W. W. Murphey, 
Geo. C. Munroe, H. B. Shank, D. W. Gould. H. Smith, T. D. 
Dewey, R. E. Aldrich, G. W. Bullock, W. L. P. Little, E. O. 
Grosvenor and J. K. Lockwood were elected directors. A. M. 
Williams was soon after chosen president, which office he con- 
tinued to hold as- long as the corporation continued in business. 
The financial crash of 1857 followed soon after this stockholders' 
meeting, and before the work of constructing the road was com- 
menced, and consequently nothing was done until 1859. At this 
time it was deemed of the first importance to build the part of the 
road between Albion and Owosso, thus connecting Lansing with 
the I). & M. R'y at Owosso, and the M. C. R. R. at Albion. 
Work was commenced on this part of the line, and the first iron 
w,i.- laid from Owosso south. Twenty miles was completed and 
accepted by the Governor Dec. 28, 1860. 

The company became embarrassed and the work progressed very 
Blowly; it was not until Sept. 17, 1863, that the road was completed 
to Michigan avenue in Lansing, a distance of 9 miles farther. The 
work of grading some 30 miles of the line south of Lansing had 
been done at that time, but the company was unable to procure 
the iron, and never performed any further work on the line. 

1 >ec. 22, 1863, a company was organized for the construction of 
a railroad from Lansing to Jackson, a distance of 39 miles, under 
the name of the Lansing & Jackson R. R. Co., with a capital of 
o,000, of which IT. A. Hayden was president. 

By the beginning of 1805 it became apparent that the A., L. & 
T. B. 11. R. Co. did not possess the ability to construct more road, 
and that the grant would revert to the United States, and the lands 
be lost to the State unless some new corporation should assume the 
work. Feb. 3 of that year the articles of association of the Lansing 
& Jackson company were amended by changing the name of the 
corporation to Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw R. R. Co. by increas- 
ing its capital to $1,500,000, and by designating Saginaw as its 
northern terminus. During the winter following, efforts were 
made to get an extension of the time for completing the road, and 
OD July 3, 1866, an act of Congress was passed extending the time 
for seven years, and providing that if the A., L. & T. B. R. R. Co. 
Bhould fail to complete the road between Owosso and Saginaw City 
within a limited time, the Legislature might confer the grant on 
some other company. The grant was so disposed of by the Legisla- 
ture at its session in 1867, upon the J. L. & S. R. R. Co. This 
company now proceeded with the work of completing the road with 
such energy, that on the 11th of October of that year it was com- 
pleted to St. Charles, and on the 7th of January following, to 
Wenona, a distance of 50 miles from Owosso. 

27 



450 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY 1 * 

From Wenona northward the route of the road lay through an 
unbroken wilderness far beyond the rudest settlement, and at this 
point the work was suspended for upward of two years. In March, 
1871, an act of Congress was passed permitting the company to 
Te-locate its route north of Wenona, which was done by an amend- 
ment to its articles of association in the same month. The work 
was again commenced on the new line, and the road completed to 
Wells, 40 miles from Wenona, in December, 1871; and in Decem- 
ber, 1872, it was completed to Otsego Lake, a distance of 119 miles 
from Wenona. Thus it will be seen that this company has within 
less than two years, without an}>- local aid whatever, constructed 
nearly 120 miles of railroad through an entire wilderness, and for 
.much of the distance a dense forest. 

To many pr rsons the project of building such a road seemed 
chimerical, but the incredibly rapid growth of towns and villages 
along its line and the large business so soon created, are results 
which fully justify the sagacity and foresight of the managers of the 
road. To the energy, enterprise and ability of J. F.Joy, IT. A. 
Hayden, W. D. Thompson and O. M. Barnes, in pushing forward 
this work, the people of Northern Michigan, and especially the 
Saginaw Vallej 7 , are largely indebted. 52 miles more completed 
it to the Straits of Mackinaw, its northern terminus. 

THE J., L. & S. LAND GRANT. 

The number of acres patented to this railroad company was 348,- 
433, in 1872. In 1876 the road was completed to Gaylord, a dis- 
tance of 238 miles from Jackson. Since that period it has extended 
its lines, and is now in possession of the full number of acres pro- 
vided for in the grant. The sales of these railroad lands com- 
menced in 1868. James Turner was the first land commissioner 
who acted under this grant, and he was succeeded by Hon. O. M. 
Barnes. Augustine S. Gavlord assumed the duties of commissioner, 
Aug 15,1872, 

SAGINAW VALLEY & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD. 

This road was surveyed in June, 1871, by Frank Eastman. In 
September of that year the contract for grading, etc., was awarded to 
Alexander McDonald. Sept 15, 1872, the first spike was driven, and 
three months later, Dec. 15, 1872, the first train passed over the 
line from Saginaw to St. Louis. Dec. 31 witnessed the formal 
opening of this new railroad, tending westward from Saginaw, 
uniting the city with the already rich agricultural district embraced 
in Gratiot and adjoining counties, rendering available an extensive 
belt of pine, oak, hemlock and other timber. The length of the 
railroad from East Saginaw to St. Louis is 35 miles. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 451 

THE DETROIT, SAGINAW <fc BAY CITY RAILROAD. 

A branch of this road was completed to East Saginaw in January, 

1-7'.'. 

THE OWOS80 & SAGINAW NAVIGATION COMPANY 

was organized in 1S37. This company desired merely to improve 
the Shiawassee river, so as to create a slack-water navigation be- 
tween the confluence of that river with the Flint and Owosso. The 
capital stuck subscribed was $100,000; the shareholders agreed to 
complete the work within rive years succeeding the grant of charter; 
but the project being so prematurely conceived, and the circum- 
stances of the time so opposed to progress in any direction, that the 
" slack-water navigation of the Shiawassee " fell through neverj 
perhaps, to be revived. 

THE NORTHERN CANAL. 

The work of building a canal from the forks of the Bad river to 
the north bend of the Maple river, a distance of 15 miles, was 
entered upon in June. 1838, under the charge of Charles F. Smith. 
This canal was intended to connect the Saginaw and Grand rivers, 
and would doubtless be carried through to completion had not the 
financial crisis of 1S38 checked the progress of that enterprise 
which then had seized upon the people. The work was projected 
by the new State under the supervision of the Board of Commis- 
sioners of Internal Improvements, appointed under authority of the 
Legislature, in March, 1*37. The construction of the canal proper, 
and the rendering of the waters of the Bad and Maple rivers 
navigable were estimated to cost $238,246, but the sum actually 
appropriated to commence operations was $62,000. This amount 
was expended, and like many other State investments of the 
period, resulted in a direct loss. 

NAVIGATION AND SHIP-BUILDING. 

The first boat built in the Saginaw Valley was that by Nelson 
Smith, in ls37. This was a schooner of light tonnage, named the 
"Jnlia Smith," intended for the coasting trade. 

The 'Tiuena Vista" was the first steamboat constructed on the 
waters of the Saginaw. The shipyard in which it was built was 
located at the foot of Bristol street, East Saginaw. Both yard 
ami boat were gotten up by 'a stock company in a most primitive 
manner, but the work was so novel that during the year 1848 the 
builders received continued visits from the Indians, half-breeds, 
and even white settlers. The building of the ship completed, the 
machinery was arranged, and the day of the launch announced. 
Addison fllowrey was appointed captain of the little steamer, and 



452 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



through him invitations were sent to many of the Indian chiefs to 
participate in the ceremony attendant upon the launch of the first 
steamboat. The Indians came, were brought on board while the 
vessel was still on the stocks, and entertained in the cabin while it 
moved slowly down the soaped planks to the water. Presently 
steam was got up, the stern wheels began to move, and the Indians, 
unable to realize what was in progress, rushed forth to find them- 
selves in the midst of the river on such a "big canoe" as they never 
dreamed of. The noise of the machinery, the smoke and cinders, 
the panting of the steam, and the swells behind the little boat, so 
surprised them that they looked on in amazement at the whole pro- 
ceedings, and waited patiently for something more surprising. 
The excursionists returned all right, and none were so happy as the 
Indian chiefs on reaching terra firma For many years the 
"JBuena Vista" was utilized as a tug and packet boat. 

In 1851 Daniel Johnson built the "Snow" at Zilwankee. 

Curtis Emerson built the "Ethan Allen" steam barge the same 
year, and launched her from the stocks near the Emerson mill. 
After a trip on the river the genial tenant of the "Halls of the 
Montezumas" tendered a banquet to his friends. This social gath- 
ering assembled at the Webster House. 

From 1851 to 1864, the tonnage of the boats built on the Sagi- 
naw did not exceed 22,000 tons. Between that period and 1867 a 
few small boats were built. From statistics compiled since 1867 
the followino- statement is obtained: 



Date. 

1867 



1863 



1869 



870 



1871 



1872 



Style of Boat. 



Two Barks 

Nine barges 

Four propellers . . . 
One schooner 

Two tugs 

One steamer 

Two scows 

One bark 

Four barges 

Two tugs 

One steamer 

Two schooners . . . 

Two scows 

One canal boat. . . 

Five barges 

One schooner. . . . 

Two scows 

One propeller. 

Two sloops 

Three schooners . . . 

Two tugs 

Eight barges 

One sloop 

Four scows 

Three schooners . . . 
Two steam yachts. 

One tug 

Two canal boats. . . 

One barge 

Six schooners 



Tonnage Date 



,127.00 

,267.00 

276.00 

500.00 

144.00 

52.00 

63.00 

366.00 

666.00 

46.00 

28 00 

334.00 

59.00 

109.00 

,256.56 

30.10 

62.70 

21.17 

424.00 

662 00 

63.00 

,186.00 

171.00 

89.00 

,199.00 

19.00 

1500 

111.00 

149.00 

,319.73 



1872 
187 



1874 



Style of Boat. 



Three barges 

One steam yacht 

One canal boat 

Prop. David Ballentine 
Schr. A. B Morse. ... 

" C. H. Burton 

" Journeyman . . . 

" R. T. Lambert. . 
Prop. J. C. Liken .... 
Tug Westey Hawkins . 

Prop. Arenac 

Schr. Iosco 

Barge J. Sparrow 

" F. A. McDougal. 

" W. L. Peck .... 
Schr. Buckeye State.. 
Prop. W. R.Quinity... 
Schr. Queen City .... 

" Chester B Jones 

" W. S. Crossthwaite 

" L. C. Butts 

" Benj. F. Bruce. . . 

" Grace A. Charme. 

" B. B. Buckhout.. 
Tug Fannie Tuthil 

' E. H. Miller 

A. H. Hunter 

Schr. Evening Star 

' Morning Star 

Bark St. Clair 



Tonnage 

379.30 

33.37 

150 00 

972.13 

1,099.37 

534.90 

235.04 

53.23 

78.24 

45.70 

63.29 

230.80 

264.07 

416.00 

365.68 

525.64 

38.79 

735.00 

493.71 

671.71 

504.38 

729.37 

259.18 

351.76 

100.30 

30.14 

28.14 

497.81 

497.81 

286.37 



CHAPTER XVI. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 
COUNTY FINANCES AND STATISTICS. 

There is no more certain index to the financial condition of a 
free State than its public accounts. So it is with any portion of the 
State where the citizens manage their own affairs; for as a general 
rule the governing board of a county exercise sound judgment, and 
are slow to authorize any outlay which does not give promise of 
future profit. The annual exhibit of the county treasurer is a safe 
basis on which to rest the financial condition of a county; but to 
realize its gradual development the table of assessment has to be 
referred to. The tabulation of the amount, resulting annually from 
taxation, is of little consequence, beyond the chance it offers the 
curious of summing up the moneys contributed directly by the 
people for the support of good government. The indirect taxation 
accruing to the general Government is much more extensive than 
the direct, but the possibility of obtaining reliable figures in this 
regard is so far removed that the subject could be treated only in a 
speculative manner; therefore, the reader must be content with a 
knowledge of what is certain, viz: that the citizens contribute 
directly or indirectly, or both, as much as should render the 
general Government, the State government, and the local govern- 
ment as great as the principles of pure and simple Republicanism 
require it to be, and which it is not; as mindful in guarding and 
honoring the legacy, which the Revolutionary Fathers left us, as it 
-In hi Id be, and which it is not; as paternal in character, and as 
solicitous for the public good as a Republican government ought 
to be, and which it is not. It is conceded that the Government 
under which we live is the most liberal, the one alone under which 
man has attained his position in the universe, and the nearest 
approach to true government known to the civilization of our day. 
To make it what it is capable of being made, and surround it with 
that halo of truth and honesty which can alone pertain to a re- 
public, is all that is required. Official perfidy should be stigmatized, 
and the guilty punished, — not nominally, but severely; for he 
who would prove faithless in an office bestowed by a free people 
deserves chains, not liberty, — a refuge among slaves rather than 
a home among freemen. 

PROGRESS AS MARKED BY VALUATION. 

In the record of the Board of Supervisors, the condition of the 
county for the ten years succeeding its organization has been 



454 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



noted. The following tabulated statements deal with the assessed 
valuation of real and personal property from 1846 to 1881: 



Year. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 



Valuation. Year. Valuation. Year. Valuation 

$440,968.12 1849 345,291.17 1870 9,647,260.20 

. .354,864.13 1850 471,707.27 1880 17,997,451.52 

. .231,028.60 1860 2,554,484.22 ' 



The'state of the various townships and cities of the county at the 
beginning of 1881 may be gleaaed from the subscribed figures: — 









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When it is remembered that as recently as 1841 the aggregate 
valuation of real and personal property within the county was 
only $140,078.75, advancing in 1843 to $214,492.25, and in 1880 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. -i Zi> 



to tens of millions, one must admire and acknowledge the busy 
aetivities of the times, as well as the genuine enterprise which 
characterized the people. 

TIIIKTY YEARS' TAXES. 

The sums of money contributed annually from the period of 
immigration to l s »'>.\ when the resources of the county were fully 
comprehended, and their value fully realized, are thus given: 

Year. Total Taxes Year. Total taxes. Year. Total taxes 

is;:, $ 203.6 3 1846 10580.86 1856 37,735.41 

1836 2,444.62 1847 8708.86 1857 40, 29.95 

1887 2,773.53 1848 9601.27 1858 41,605.92' 

1838 3,158.25 1849 9225.02 1859 47,356.51 

1839 3,925.74 1850 10853 06 1860 59,755.12; 

1840 3.036.18 1851 17206.80 1861 65,332.09 

1841 4,003.25 1852 13,208.62 1862 66,457.14 

1842 4,546.81 1853 22,316 .33 1863 86,516.01 

1843 5,975.09 1854 28,775.22 1864 112,699.86 

1844 7,131.69 1855 30,489.77 1865 178,525.97 

1845 8,656.73 

In 1S66 there was an increase of $20,080.22 over the amount 
raised in 1865, and the year following an advance of $31,971.54 
over that of 1866, being $230,577.73. 

RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. 

The financial condition of the county at the beginning of the 
year 1881, together with the sums received as taxes, and the 
amount expended, are exhibited in the following statement mad* 
by County Treasurer J. C. Valentine, December 1, 1880: 

DEBIT. 

Jan. 1, To Cash on Hand and in Bank 

Dec. 31, " Total Receipts for the year, 



CONTRA OB. 

Dec. 31. By Total Disbursements for the year 1880, 
" Am't in Metropolitan Nat. Bank, N. Y. 
" Ain't Geo. L. Burrows & Co.'s Bank, 

Saginaw 

' Am't in 1st National Bank, Saginaw. . 
Am't in 2d Nat. Bank, East Saginaw. . 

Ain't Currency on Hand 

" ' Am't Coin on Hand 

Total 

BEOEEPT8. 

Taxes 

Redemptions 

Office Charges and Collection Fees 

Liquor Taxes 

East Saginaw City Tax 

Interest on East Saginaw City Tax 

Office Charges and Collection Fees on East Saginaw 

( ity Tax 335 33 





$ 15,737 12 




132,931 07 




$148,668 Id 


$131,533 72 




100 25 




■"..517 58 




5,500 00 




5,673 25 




281 00 




62 39 




$148,668 19 




$12,783 95 




7,080 47 




810 57 




35,298 80 




6,922 15 




418 52 





456 



HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Advertising Fees on East Saginaw City Tax 19 00 

Townships and Cities Acc't Tax 1879 56,425 23 

Drain Taxes collected 789 70 

Interest etc, , Taxes collected 1,086 07 

Rejected Tax collected 8 19 

Bills Receivable 406 66 

Primary School Fund 8,240 51 

Library Funds 1,186 28 

Poor Fund 233 94 

Keeping Prisoners 66 48 

Circuit Court Expenses 681 50 

Contingent Fund 33 14 

County Institute Fund 159 58 

Total Receipts for the year 1880 $132,931 07 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

State of Michigan $15,001 86 

Poor Fund 13,677 21 

Stationery 488 26 

Printing 1,122 05 

Fuel, Light and Janitor 1,145 66 

Pursuit, Arrest and Trial of Criminals 7,241 03 

Keeping Prisoners 3,051 27 

Transportation of Convicts 10 00 

Circuit Court Expense 7,999 50 

Coroner's Inquest 557 48 

Expense Account 96 65 

Library Fund ... 475 00 

Judge of Probate 1,300 00 

Prosecuting Attorney 1,500 00 

County Treasurer 2,750 00 

County Clerk 1,150 00 

Circuit Court Stenographer 1,200 00 

Superintendents of County Poor 400 00 

Liquor Tax 34,957 50 

Contingent Fund 2,288 74 

County Institute Fund 195 75 

East Saginaw City Tax 6,701 30 

Office Charges and Collection Fees on East 

Saginaw City Tax 323 5 

Detroit House of Correction 454 79 

Expense of Board of Supervisors 2,970 40 

Agricultural Societies 798 26 

Primary School Fund 8,240 51 

Interest on Bonds 10,050 00 

Condemned School Lands 25 00 

Apprehension of Criminals 40 40 

Towns and Cities Account of Taxes 3,157 96 

Drain Tax 1,040 04 

Poor Fund 263 58 

Bridges 850 00 

Total Disbursements for the year 1880 $131,533 72 

LAND UNDER CULTIVATION, AND CROPS. 



The number of acres of improved land in 1860 was 18,048, and 
in 1870, 33,385. The value of crops in 1860 was $165,380, and in 
1870 $690,382. The average of wheat in 1880 was 21,876, yield- 
ing 440,524 bushels, or 20.14 bushels to the acre. Acreage in 
May, 1881, 26,795. The land devoted to grain crops of all kinds 
an 1SQ0 was about double that of 1870. 



HISTORY OF SAi.IXAW COUNTY. 



457 



POPULATION. 

The following returns deal with the townships of the county 
under the old limits, until 1850. From 1S60 forward the returns 
deal exclusively with Saginaw county, as now known: 

L884 Census of Saginaw township ) _ 3Q3 

taken by Orison Allen ) 

1886. Saginaw, Bay, Tuscola, Midland, Gratiot, Isabella 900 

" 920 

18 1". Baginaw county fold boundaries) 892 

I860. Baginaw, Bay, Midland and Tuscola 2,865 

1860. I', s. censusof Baginaw Co 12,758 

1864. State census of Baginaw Co 19,675 

1870 U. S. census of Saginaw Co 39,095 

The population of the county as given in the U. S. census returns 

of L880, was 59,095. 

POPULATION BY TOWN8HIP8. 



TOWNS. 


Organ- 
ized. 


1850 


1860 


1870 


18:0 


ybee 


1863 
1853 

1856 
] 858 
1848 
1850 
1866 
1866 
1845 
1859 
1854 
is.-, 7 
1876 
1873 

1877 
1867 
1879 

1862 
1830 

1857 
1858 

1860 
1842 

ism 

1854 






197 

925 

1,074 

471 

331 

1,171 

1,005 

1,564 

258 

1,507 

11,350 

1,488 

170 


553 




374 
251 


662 

557 
278 
88 
491 
231 


1 ,585 


Brady 


1,396 
1 . i 62 




904 

1,(140 




1,727 
1,756 








549 


Chesaning 


122 


538 

3,001 

1,082 

62 


2,059 




19,<i65 




1,692 




4-4 




582 










372 


Kochville 




658 


1,070 


1,7»7 




194 






201 


505 


1,378 




171 








466 

1,004 

7,4'iO 

2,117 

1,185 

427 

638 

697 

864 

1,153 


645 




917 

53 
341 


879 

1,699 

216 

505 

305 
443 
513 
186 


1,357 




10,444 




423 




1.564 


Swan Creek 


333 


Tav mi >ulh 


1,157 




l,(i47 




1,500 


Zil waukee 


1,630 










2,063 


12.493 


39,098 


59,138 



These figures are generally accepted as correct; but many in- 
cline to the opinion that within the year ending June, 1881, from 
3,000 to 5,000 people have been added to the population. The 
transient character of the lumberers and others, may however tend 
to an acceptance of the figures 60,000 as a correct representation 
of the actual population of the countv in L880. 



458 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



INDIANS. 



The time has passed away forever, when the Chippewa nation as- 
sembled in their numbers on their great camp ground by the waters 
of the Saginaw. Whisky, internecine warfare, disease and remov- 
al have all joined in the partial annihilation of a once powerful tribe. 
Within limits which 60 years ago contained an aboriginal popula- 
tion of 3,000, to-day only 287 representatives of the tribe can be 
found. Of this number, 77 dwell in the township of St. Charles, 
seven in Albee; 126 in Tay mouth; 18 in Swan River; eight in 
James; one in Zilwaukee; 46 in Buena Vista; one at Saginaw 
City, and three at East Saginaw. Only a few of this remnant of 
that race remember the primeval wilderness through which their 
fathers roamed; yet they see enough to remind them of what their 
country was, to know what it is, and what it will be under the new 
race. 

SCHOOL CENSUS. 



For the purpose of this reference to the schools, it will be nec- 
essary to give only the following figures, dealing with the school 
census of 1881, the apportionment of primary school moneys, and 
the number of children considered in making such apportionment: 

No. of No. of 

children children Amount 

in school in appor- appor- 

Townships. census. tionrnent. tioned. 

Albee 167 167 $ 177 02 

Birch Run 509 509 539 54 

Blumfield 513 513 543 78 

Brady 423 423 448 38 

Brant 334 334 354 04 

Bridgeport 605 605 64130 

Buena Vista 637' 637 675 22 

Carrollton 482 482 510 92 

Chapin 272 272 288 32 

Chesaning 414 414 438 84 

Chesaning Village 301- 301 319 06 

East Saginaw City 5,885 5,885 6,238 10 

Frankenmuth 654 654 693 24 

Fremont ,. 144 144 152 64 

James 103 103 109 18 

Jonesfield 112 112 118 72 

Kochville. 773 546 578 76 

Lakefield 61 47 49 82 

Maple Grove 459 459 468 54 

Marion 15 ... 

Richland 252 252 207 12 

Saginaw 449 449 475 94 

Saginaw City 3,283 3,283 3,479 98 

Spalding 122 122 129 32 

St Charles 438 438 464 28 

Swan Creek 120 120 127 20 

Taymouth 404 404 428 24 

Thomastown 373 373 395 38 

Tittabawassee 456 456 483 3ft 

Zilwaukee 503 503 533 18 

Totals. 19,263 19,007 $20,147 42 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



459 



MAKKIAt.K KKCOKD. 



The first marriage celebrated in the township of Saginaw within 
the pioneer period, was that of Ariel Campeau and Madeline 
Mashos, in l s "-i-'. and the second that of Thomas Barger and 
Sally Foster, the same year. The record of marriages, since the 
county was organized, does not extend further back than 1835. 
Since" that time, however, matrimony lias generally enjoyed a 

Erosperous "run," though at times the market was very dull. 
Miring the years lS35-'7 there were only 14 actual marriages re- 
corded. This doubtless was due in a great measure to the embar- 
rassment causo< 1 by the great failure of 1836-'7. In 1838 our boys 
and girls appeared to have recovered from the fear which the hard 
times engendered, for during that year no less than 13 couples 
were united. Henceforth youth took courage, and within the 
period of 46 years which have elapsed since the organization of 
the county, 14,948 persons have made the great venture of life. 
Drink, extravagance and folly have led to the dissolution of the 
marriage contract in many cases. 

The number of couples married each year in Saginaw county is 
as follows : 



1885. 
L886. 
L887. 

1838. 
1830. 
1840. 
1841. 
1842. 

1844. 

1846. 



1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852- 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
L856. 

is;,:. 

1858. 



24 
. 12 
. 35 
. 35 
. 52 
. 83 
. 74 
. 72 
. 99 
.107 
. 82 
. 69 



1859. 
1800. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 



. 71 
. 63 
. 85 
.102 
.129 
.167 
.182 
.205 
.281 
.396 
.376 
.324 



1871 

1872.... 

1873 

1874. . . . 

1875 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1880 



.373 
.566 
.435 
.442 
.358 
400 
.332 
.396 
.471 
.499 



Total 7,474 



There are many peculiar reminiscences associated with the mat- 
rimonial afiairs of this as well as other counties. In olden times 
men and women were not so precise in expression as the people of 
our day, nor did they seem to possess that sagacity which would 
lead them to avoid what would give subject for idle gossip to the 
village wags. This will be evident from perusal of the following 
Bketcn — one of the many connected with the matrimonial events 
of the past : 

High hopes that burn like stars sublime are supposed to possess 
the heart of every lover, when the moment arrives for him to de- 
posite a dollar and a half with the county clerk, in payment for a 
permit to marry the girl of his choice. He feels that he is sure of 
possessing the loveliest of her sex, and that in a few more days 
earth will not be big enough to contain the happiness of himself 
and his fair partner. " Entre la main et la bouche souvent se perd 
la scntpe, " as the Frenchman would say. He has learned some- 
times, when too late. A young man, who fondly imagined that 
his happiness was on the point of completion, took out a marriage 



460 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



license on Christmas day, long, long ago. How and why his 
hopes were shattered, how grief played upon his heart, and how 
his life became a burden, are set forth in the following wail, — the 
untutored eloquence of sorrow : 

GOT ANOTHER FELLER. 

To the County Clerk, Sir, I will send you the licence that you gave me to get 
married with and stat that I was not married for this reason because the girl whos 
name is on the paper went back on me because she could get another feller his 

name send them so that you can give him a licence for her but bee sure 

and get your fee for so doin. No more at present but believe me 

yours most hart-broken. 



A score of such epistles might be furnished, all written in the 
most primitive form, all bearing testimony to broken hearts and 
false loves; but such a record of all that is ridiculous in marriage 
formalities is unnecessary. It may, however, be stated that the 
"hart-broken" lover met his rival shortly after marriage, and 
gave him an unmerciful beating. 

BIRTH RECORD. 



1867 440 

1868.. 750 

1869 1,286 

1870 969 

1867 216 

1868 302 

1869 457 

1870 388 



1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 



1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 



.1,026 
.1,231 

.1,478 
.2,164 



1875 1,469 

1876 1,389 

1877 1,402 

1878 1,407 



DEATH RECORD. 



.349 
.449 
.666 
.570 



1875. 
1876. 

1877. 
1878. 



,532 
.504 
.536 
.513 



1879 1,320 

Total 16,321 



1879. 



.710 



Total 6,192 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE COUNTY PRESS 

The newspaper press of Saginaw count}'' may claim to be the 
true exponent of popular ideas, as well as the zealous guardian of 
local interests. Seldom does it extend recognition to terrorism at 
home or tyranny abroad, — never knowingly, except in very rare 
- where ignorance, pure and simple, leads the freeman of this 
land to become a convert to the school of flunkeyism, or where the 
people are so short-sighted as to permit an immigrant newspaper 
writer to indulge in eulogies on the "magnificence" of trans-Atlantic 
peoples. Sometimes cuttings are made from monarchical papers, 
the heading conveying an idea to the busy editor that the article is 
newsy, and therefore worthy of space. It appears in the columns 
of the journal without even a qualifying paragraph, and contributes 
in a degree to build up a taste for royalty, pageantry, and all such 
foolishness, in the hearts of the unthinking portion of our people. 
Such trash should not be given to the people. Even though this 
fulMtme praise of the slave-holding monarchies and all their glit- 
tering palaces could take serious hold only of imbecile citizens, it 
is not justice to furnish imbecility with fuel; it is not right to 
place before it new subject matter which enables it, however 
falsely, to extol the glories (?) and the pageants of principles and 
men who casta gloom over the civilization of our day. There is 
little in trans-Atlantic government, in the slavery of seven-eighths 
of the trans-Atlantic peoples, to commend itself; and the knowledge 
of this, so prevalent in the United States, is a full safeguard against 
the growth of that foolish, if not unnatural, and most pernicious 
vice commonly called flunkeyism. The people understand their 
duty to the Republic, and none among them more so than these 
indefatigable men who identify themselves with the press of this 
county. 

Spnaw has reaped a rich harvest from the industry and honesty 
of her newspaper men. All evidences point out her journalists of 
the past to have been as truly honorable as are those of the present ; 
flunkeyism was not the attribute of any one of them; they labored 
early and late in providing newsy and instructive reading for their 
constituents; and if at any time a ridiculous eulogy on all that is 
politically and socially false crept into their columns, they were the 
first to denounce the buffoon who penned the lines of undeserved 
praise. The press conferred inestimable good upon this district; 
it opposed premature innovations even as it urged necessary re- 
forms; it set its denunciations of tyrannical and arbitrary measures 
in black letter, stigmatized moral cowardice, and claimed that from 

(461) 



462 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

the village council room to the chambers of the national govern- 
ment vice should be subjected to rebuke and punishment, and 
virtue doubly cherished. 

Here the press is synonymous with progress. Proscribe its 
liberty and the nation suffers. Few liberties had been won in the 
long struggle for human freedom, involving more far-reaching and 
momentous consequences than that which secured the constitu- 
tional guaranty of freedom of speech and of the press. The antag- 
onism between a despotic government and the printing press is 
natural and intense. The human heart loved applause. It did 
not feed willingly on the bitter herbs of censure. Neither king nor 
president, neither cardinal nor general, desired a sharp and impar- 
tial review of his official acts, and submitted with grace to accom- 
panying reproof. The exercise of power bred confidence in the 
hearts of rulers, and begot an impatience of criticism, especially 
from unofficial sources. Hence there was a natural inclination to 
restrain what those high in authority might deem an unwarrant- 
able freedom in the discussion of public affairs; but, on the other 
hand, the subjects of the government naturally desired to discuss its 
proceedings, complain of grievances, and suggest reforms. Free 
thought and free speech were of small avail without free publica- 
tion, and to suppress publication was to prevent practical results. 
Thus there was an irrepressible conflict between oppressive govern- 
ment, whatever its form, and the public press. In a despotic state 
the government exercised a censorship over the press, while in a 
free country the case was reversed, and the press exercised a cen- 
sorship over the government. Both kinds of censorship were liable 
to abuse, but judging the future by the past, the excesses of the 
press for a thousand years would be trifling in comparison with 
the iniquities of government censure for a single generation. If the 
people were to govern, or take any active or intelligent part in the 
government, they must know the facts on which public officials act 
and be able to express their opinions of public measures as events 
transpire. And those who were intrusted with the administration 
the government would favor, if they truly desired to promote the 
general welfare in accordance with the public will, the most free 
and efficient means of communication with those for whose sake 
the government exists. That means was the newspaper. No sub- 
stitute for it had yet been devised — none could be imagined. 
Thus the newspaper was one of the most important agencies 
of free government. Without its aid in informing and arous- 
ing the people, the government of the United States could 
neither have raised the armies nor commanded the pecuniary 
means required to win the great struggle for Nationality and 
Union. The modern newspaper was not merely a private 
enterprise; it was as truly a public institution as the rail- 
way and the telegraph; and enlightened jurisprudence would 
declare that the public newspaper, encouraged and protected by 
the highest guarantees of constitutional law as indispensable to 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 463 

free government, was subject, not to the narrow and rigid rules 
which applied to merely private callings, but to broad and equita- 
ble principals springing out of its relation to the public and its 
duty to serve the people in the collection and publication of in- 
formation relating to all their interests. The business of journal- 
ism was no longer a mere incident to the printer's trade. It had 
become a great and learned profession with honored fraternal 
inizations. The Government should also consider that the 
newspaper was. after all due allowance for our system of schools, 
the great educator of the masses of the people. And it was also 
the great agency of progress in all reforms. Acting harmoniously 
in their respective spheres, free government and the free press were 
joint conservators of law. order and peace; each the most powerful 
upholder of the other. The press and the bar, as well as the people 
and the (Government of the United States, are all dependent upon one 
another, with the press as the leader. Therefore let us cherish the 
newspapers, stigmatizing what ma} 7 be corrupt in them, and ap- 
plauding all that is just. This is due b} r the people to the people 
and the press. 



THE SAGINAW JOURNAL 

was the first newspaper published in the Valley. The press and 
tvpe were brought here in 1836 by Norman Little, and imme- 
diately the Pioneer Journal was started, under John P. Hosmer, 
with Norman Little as proprietor and Jkfr. Hosmer, editor. Mr. 
Bosmer was manager until L837, when he left for Pennsylvania, 
and Hiram L. .Miller was appointed editor. In 1838 the office was 
sold, and a paper started immediately, with J. K. Avery as editor. 
Of all the men who were connected with this pioneer newspaper, 
Mr. Miller alone remains among the people in whose interest it 

was published. 

THE NORTH STAR. 

This journal was issued in 1844 by R. W. Jenny. It was a 
four-page quarto sheet, devoted principally to an exposition of the 
principles of a Democratic republic. The little journal existed for 
a few years, during which time it gave battle to Whiggism, the 
world, and all enemies of the Valley of the Saginaw. 

Royal \V Jenny immigrated to Michigan in 1831, and settled at 
Detroit; entering a printing office there. In 1840 he projected the 
Lapeer Sentinel, with Henry W. Williams as editor. In 1811 he 
entered upon the publication of the Saginaw North Star, being 
himself both editor and printer. He filled the offices of town clerk, 
superintendent of the poor and assistant postmaster to G. D. 
William^, of Saginaw City. In February, 1847, he married Mrs. 
Sophia A. Hill. Two years later Mr. Jenny moved to Flint, 
where ho published the Genesee Democrat. 



464 HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. 

This newspaper was projected by L. G. Jones after Mr. 
J enny's departure for Flint, in March, 1850. It was published 
uninterruptedly from 1850 to 1860. The Weekly Courier, estab- 
lished by the veteran journalist, Geo. F. Lewis, June 16, 1859, as 
a Democratic newspaper, succeeded the Spirit of the Times in popu- 
lar esteem. 

THE SAGINAW ENTERPRISE 

was established in 1853 by F. A. Williamson and A. J. Mason. 
This was the first journal started at East Saginaw, and like all 
such enterprises was inaugurated under most favorable circum- 
stances. The citizens tendered it a hearty support; and so pros- 
perity waited upon the office for a time; but owing to some fault 
within the office, or defection without, the Enterprise dwindled 
down to an insignificant sheet, published occasionally. In 1855 
Williamson and Mason's interests were purchased by Perry Joslin, 
who raised it to a very respectable position among the journals of 
Michigan. In 1864 Francis Parth purchased an interest in the 
concern, and a year later a very important addition was made. 
Col. C. V. DeLand, of Jackson, purchased an interest, and took 
charge of the editorial department of the paper in July, 1865. 
The same year the J)aily Enterprise was inaugurated. In 1866 the 
Daily Enterprise Publishing Co. was formed, with a capital stock 
of $25,000. The staff of the new journal comprised Col. DeLand, 
managing editor; Perry* Joslin, local editor, and A. W. Abbey, 
business manager. Two years later I. H. Kimberly, C. B. Head- 
ley and E. P. Foote, formed the staff, 'Col. De Land retiring on 
account of his health. In 1870 the paper passed under the man- 
agement of Dr. Fish, of Flint, and C. K. Pobinson, of East Sag- 
inaw, with Miss C. N. Buchannan, assistant. These gentlemen 
sold their interest in it to A. L. Warren, in 1873 Financial ruin 
waited on the new management and the office was sold by the 
sheriff in May, 1874. 

THE SAGINAW REPUBLICAN 

was established Jan. 1, 1857, at Saginaw City, by Milo Blair and 
Charles II. Day; published continuously until 1865 when it passed 
into the proprietorship of Edwin Saunders and W. H. H. Bartram, 
who changed its name to the Sagina/w Valley Herald. In 1866 
Peter C. Andre purchased it, and again in 1868, after Col. 
De Land's retirement from the Enterprise, it was purchased by him 
and the name changed to the Saginaw Republican. In 1869, F. A. 
Palmer purchased an interest in the journal, and published it (by 
"F. A. Palmer & Co.") until 1874, when the office was removed 
to East Saginaw and the Daily Republican started as an afternoon 
paper. 



BI8T0EY 01 SAGINAW IOINTV. 465 

In August, L876, the Republica/n was changed to a morning 
paper. Sept. 1. L878, it was sold to the Herald Printing Co., and 
the uame changed to 

SAGINAW HERALD. 

The new company was organized with Wm. F. Clark as presi- 
dent, Col. C. V. De I. and. general manager and editor. The local 
editors of the Herald^ since its establishment comprised G-. R. 
Osman, W. II. II. Bertram, J. W. Fitzmanrice, Thomas McKee, 
T. W. Busby, K. F. Lain- F. B. SmithandW. C. Cunningham. 
Mrs. E. M. Nye, now Mrs. Lathrop, Mrs. A. .M. Garrigues, and 
Miss Alice Smith, have assisted on the editorial staff. During the 
last campaign the Herald cast its influence with the Blaine party 
and opposed that of Grant. 

( ol. Charles Victor De Land, editor of the Herahh was born at 
North Brookfield, Worcester Co., Mass., July 25, 1826, and. is a 
son of William R. and Mary <i. (Keith) De Land, whose early 
ancestry were French Protestants, and were driven from France, 
Bettling in Massachusetts, in 1634. William R. departed with Ins 
family, from North Brookfield, March IS, 1830, and came to 
Michigan in a lumber wagon, with the exception of the ride 
across Lake Erie, in a lake vessel. Mr. De Land located at Jackson, 
Michigan, and was one of the pioneers of Jackson county. Victor 
was reared and educated at Jackson, and in the fall of 1836, entered 
the office of the pioneer paper of Jackson, officiating as ''devil" 
in the mornings and evenings, and attending school during the 
day. In February, 1840, the office changed hands, the proprietor, 
Nicholas Sullivan, being succeeded by Moore & Hitchcock, with 
whom he remained as an apprentice until 1S43. Mr. DeLand 
then traveled as a "jour" for four years, working at Detroit, 
Buffalo, Rochester. ]\'ew York, and other cities, but returned to 
Michigan in 1*47. In August, 1 848, in connection with A. A. Dow- 
ance, be established the Jackson Citizen. Mr. Dowance retired 
from the firm in L850, and Mr. I), continued to publish the paper 
until the fall of 1861, when the office and business was purchased 
by P. J. Avery. Mr. De Land then organized Co. C. of the 9th 
Mich. Vol. Inf.. at Jackson, and was elected its Captain. 
They were mustered into the U. S. service at Fort Wayne, Mich., 
and assigned to the army of the Cumberland. Capt. DeLand 
was captured July 12, 1862, by Oen. Forrest's cavalry, and kept 
prisoner at Atlanta. Madison, Ga., Columbia, S. C.,"and Libby 
prison in Richmond, until the following October, when he was 
released on parol, and exchanged the next month. On Jan. 6, 
1863, he received a commission as Colonel, with orders to return 
i" Michigan, and organize the 1st Mich. Sharpshooters. At that 
time no draft was pending, and Col. DeLand raised the regiment 
largely by his own efforts and means, placing it in the field July 

1. 1863, at a cost of over s:i. i to himself. The regiment was 

ordered to assist in stopping the celebrated " John Morgan raid." 

28 



466 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

and participated in all the exciting scenes of that event. They 
then returned to Detroit, to quell the negro riots, and to protect 
the frontier from rebel invasions from Canada. In September Col. 
De Land was ordered with his regiment to Camp Douglas, 
Chicago, and remained there in charge of the post, which contained 
some 12,000 rebel prisoners, until March 18, 1864. During the 
remainder of 1864-'5, the regiment was engaged in Virginia, and 
participated at the final capture of Petersburg, April 3, 4, 1 864. 
Col. De Land's regiment was the first to enter the city, and the 
Mayor surrendered to them the keys to the City Hall. The regi- 
ment suffered severely at the " mine explosion" and at Ft. Pegoam, 
where Col. De Land was left on the field, supposed to have been 
mortally wounded, and was captured by the rebels. He was 
exchanged in about 10 days, and lay five months in a hospital at 
Annapolis, Md., and during this time was brevetted Brig. Gen., 
on account of meritorious conduct, but was unable to take an active 
command in the field. At the close of the war, Col. De Land 
came to East Saginaw (1865), where he subsequently established 
the Daily Enterprise. From 1848 to the present time, Col. 
De Land has been identified with the political interests of this 
State. He entered politics as a Whig, casting his maiden vote for 
Gen. Zachary Taylor. In 1854 he became an earnest advocate 
of the formation of the Republican party, and participated in its 
birth, at the city of Jackson, in July, 1854. On the accession of 
that party to power, in the State, Col. De Land's services were 
recognized by making him Clerk of the Legislature in 1865, and 
Chief Clerk in the House of Representatives of 1867 and '69. In 
1860, he was elected Iron Jackson county to the State Senate, 
and was the only member of that body to volunteer and enlist in 
the cause of the Union at the commencement of the war. He 
represented the Saginaw district in the State Senate during the 
sessions of 1873-'4, and in 1875, was appointed collector of Inter- 
nal Revenues of the 6th District of Michigan, faithfully discharg- 
ing the duties of that office till June 30, 1881, when he resigned. 

He was married at Jackson, Mich., May 4, 1859, to Mary E., 
daughter of L. G. Perry, of Jackson. They have five children 
living and two deceased. Mrs. DeLand is a member of the Con- 
gregational Church and largely engaged in mission work. She is 
also connected with the W. C. T. (J., and other temperance or- 
ganizations, and is a graduate of Albion College, Mich. 

THE WEEKLY COURIER. 

Geo. F. Lewis established the Weekly Courier in 1859, and 
issued the first number June 16, of that year. This veteran journal- 
ist of the Saginaw was joined in 1863 by Major E. W. Lyon. 

TBE DAILY COURIER 

was inaugurated in March, 1868, by Geo. F. Lewis. B. M. Thomp- 
son. E. TV". Lvon and Joseph Seaman. In 187:2 W. H. Edwards 






HI8TOBY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 407 

purchased a controlling interest in this important journal, and 
gradually raised it to the position of a truly metropolitan news- 
paper. Edward De Forest Cowles, the editor of the Courier, is 
acknowledged to be one of the most industrious and able newspaper 
men in the Stare. 

William II. Edwards, general manager and principal stockholder 
of the Saginaw Daily Courier, was born in Fairfield county, 
Conn., Sept. 25, 1816. In this county he resided with his parents 
until he attained hifi majority, when he removed, in 1 Q 37, to Niagara 
county, N. Y.j where he carried on the business of farming until 
1^44. Having learned the business of woolen manufacturing 
previous to moving to New York in L844, he embarked in this indus- 
try, which received his attention until 1848; then to the manufactur- 
ing business he added lumbering, and the latter business he has 
carried onto the present time, having a lumber } r ard at Tonawanda, 
N. V. In 1802 Mr. Edwards removed to East Saginaw, and em- 
barked extensively in lumbering and the manufacture of shingles. 
In 1 872 he assumed a controlling interest in the Daily Courier, 
which at that time was just getting on its feet and was in an impecu- 
nious condition. He continued the publication of the paper under 
adverse circumstances, and has lived to see it firmly established, 

f)laced upon a paying basis, and at the same time develop into the 
argest and most widely read newspaper in the State, with the ex- 
ception of three newspapers published in Detroit. 

Edward I )e Forest Cowles was born in Wayne county, N. Y., 
Dec. 6, 1844, received a common-school education, and when 16 
years of age, commenced learning the trade of printer in the office 
of the Oswego Advertiser and Times. On the breaking out of 
the war of the Rebellion he enlisted, and served in the Western army 
throughout the entire struggle, being mustered out of the service 
Aug. 1, 1865. lie then resumed the printing business and worked 
in the offices of the Pontiac (Mich.) Jacksonian, the Lapeer 
ion and Flint Citizen. In 1870 he removed to Bay City and 
worked on the Weekly Journal at that place as a compositor, and 
subsequently as local editor; published the Wenona Herald and 
Bay City Herald a short time, and in 1873 came to East Saginaw 
and assumed position of city editor of the Daily Enterprise. In 
March. l v 74, he assumed editorial management of the Saginaw 
Doily Courier, which he has continued to the present time. He 
has also for a number of years represented several metropolitan 
journals as correspondent. 

Mr. Cowles was presented with an elegant portrait of himself by 
some of his East Saginaw friends June 6, 1881. It was executed 
by Prof. Herman Meiser, and was a pleasant surprise to the gentle- 
man who fills the editorial chair. The presentation was made by 
T. E. Tarsney, one of the leading lawyers of the State. 

THE EVENING- EXPRESS, 

the first number of which was issued April 29, 1881, by Messrs. 
hicCall & Strong, is a newsy evening paper, fully in keeping 
with the enterprise of its proprietors and supporters. 



468 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

John Gaylord McCall was born in Mumford, Monroe Co., N. 
Y., April 2, 1844. In 1851 he removed with his parents to a farm 
in the township of Camillus, Onondaga Co., and at the age of 14 
entered the service of Knapp, Smith & Co., Camillus, as clerk. 
In 1863 he removed to New York city to take a position as clerk 
in the office of B. W. Blanchard, general freight agent of the Erie 
Railway Co., where he remained a year. From this until 1873 he 
occupied various positions in various places. May 1, 1873, he ac- 
cepted a position on the local staff of the East Saginaw Daily 
Enterprise, remaining there until the fall of the same year, when 
he accepted a similar position on the Bay City Chronicle. He 
filled this position acceptably about a year, and then became con- 
nected with the staff of the Daily Courier, East Saginaw. After 
two years' service in this relation he accepted his present position. 
He also publishes the Saginaw Advertiser, a railway publication, 
and is one of the publishers of the Evening Express, an afternoon 
newspaper issued in East Saginaw, the first number of which came 
out April 29, 1881. 

THE SAGINAW VALLEY NEWS, 

a weekly journal started July 9, 1874, has* been continuously pub- 
lished to the present time. It is an eight-page newspaper, four 
pages devoted to local news, editorials and advertisements, and four 
pages to general news and select reading. It is one of the most 
welcome visitors to the household, and like the younger daily 
receives a fair share of patronage. 

THE DAILY NEWS 

was first published Sept. 10, 1877, by Charles H. Lee, editor of the 
Saginaiv Valley News. The local columns are generally replete 
with newsy paragraphs, the editorials are carefully written, the 
general news columns liberal, and the literary department well 
selected. The paper is published in the afternoon of every lawful 
working day, and meets with a good subscription and advertising 
patronage. 

THE SAGINAWIAN 

is a Democratic journal, published once a week. The first number 
was issued May 1,1869, with Geo. F. Lewis, proprietor and editor. 
For the last 12 years this newspaper has been published continu- 
ously by him. In April, 1881, he became proprietor of the Demo- 
cratic daily of Bay City, and since that time may be said to make 
the latter city his home. 

Geo. F. Lewis was born in Harvard, "Worcester county, Mass., 
June 7, 1828; came with his father, mother, a sister and one brother 
to Michigan landing at Mt. Clemens, Macomb county, in 1835. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 469 

He set the first type in the Macomb Statesman office, 
then edited by the late Hon. John N. Ingersoll, proprietor. In 
l-:;> lie was folder and carrier for the Mt. Clemens Patriot. 

lie made the journey to Lake Superior with the late Gen. John 
Stockton, U. S. Mineral Agent, in 1^45. Four weeks were whiled 
away in making the trip from Detroit to Copper Harbor. Return- 
ing, lie went east, taking a 5U0-pound box of black oxide of copper 
through from Detroit to New York, and later took a 1,360 pound 
Bpecimen block of "chunk" oxide of copper, out of the Mine 
river, near Copper Harbor, from New York to Boston, personally 
ivising its removal from the house of Phelps, Dodge & Co. to 
the Sound steamer. During the winter of 1S45- 6 and the spring 
of 1^46 he was clerk in the general store of D. Shook, Mt. Clemens, 
lie again visited Lake Superior in the spring of 1846, where he re- 
mained exploring and keeping location all summer. He carried 
on that trip a letter of introduction from Hon. Geo. C. Bates to the 
late Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune, and met with the 
kindest treatment from that celebrated journalist, who was standing 
at his desk writing when Mr. Lewis entered the office. 

lie returned to Lake Superior in the spring of 1846, where he 
remained until November, when he entered the employ of the late 
Thomas M. Perry, of the Mt. Clemens Patriot, as apprentice, and 
immediate successor of Charles S. Leonard, now of Knight & 
Leonard, job printers of Chicago. He continued with Mr. Perry 
until the summer of 1848, when he again entered commercial life 
at Mt. Clemens. 

In July, 1848, he took a position on the Daily Commercial 
Bulletin, then just started in Detroit by the late Col Munger and 
George W. Pattison, who is still living. lie helped to put in type 
the first news of a Presidential election that ever came by telegraph 
— that of Gen. Zachary Taylor, in 1848. He worked in the State 
printing office for Munger & Pattison at Lansing during the winter 
of 1848- , 9. lie entered on the publication of the Macomb county 
Hemld, a weekly Whig newspaper, in May, 1849, which he con- 
tinued until May, 1851. 

As one of the Deputy Marshals of the county he took the census 
of eight towns in Macomb county in 1850, being well qualified 
for this position, as he had assisted his father in taking the State 
census in 1845. In the spring of 1851 he started the Port Huron 
Commercial, as a Whig journal, changing it subsequently to a 
Democratic newspaper. This he published until the spring of 
1855. In September, 1855, he bought the Peninsular Advocate, 
a Democratic paper, published at Mt. Clemens, and continued it 
until the summer of 1859. This paper was continued as a weekly 
under his exclusive control until 1863, when Mr. Lewis became 
associated with Maj. E. W. Lyon in its publication. He continued 
with Major Lyon until 1S67, when B. M. Thompson bought an 
interest. In March. 1868, the Daily Courier was started by Geo. 
F. Lewis, E. W. Lyon. B. M. Thompson and Joseph Leeman, and 



470 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

continued until December of same year, when it was sold to B. M. 
Thompson, and the job office subsequently disposed of to the Sag- 
inaw Enterprise Publishing Company. 

Mr. Lewis was postmaster at Mt. Clemens from 1856 to 1859; 
Mayor of Saginaw City from 1877 to 1879; started in company 
with his son, Arthur T. Lewis, the Mt. Pleasant Journal, in Au- 
gust, 1880, and is now proprietor of the Daily Morning Call at 
Bay City. Mr. Gleeson is the local editor of his Saginaw Journal. 

Throughout a period bordering on half a century this veteran 
journalist has been connected with the press of this State. Public 
opinion points him out as a man who has fulfilled not only every 
duty of citizenship, but also discharged in a conscientious manner 
all the sacred duties which can be performed only by the honest 
journalist. Throughout the political contests of the past 40 years, 
and more particularly of the last quarter century, the influence of 
his journal has been felt and approved. He is still in the summer 
of his life, full of journalistic energy, and one of the most favorably 
known rrten in the Valley of the Saginaw. 

THE SAGINAW ZEITUNG 

was established in 1868 by the then existing "Enterprise Com- 
pany," that published a paper by this name at the time. The 
numerous Germans in the V alley felt the need of a German paper 
very much, and induced the said company to start the paper by 
guarantying a large advertising patronage. 

The Saginaw Zeitung was the first German paper in the State 
outside of Detroit. The paper not long afterward passed into the 
hands of Anthony Schmitz, a prominent German citizen, and was 
managed by him until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1869. 
Then the trustees of the so-called " Schmitz endowment fund " 
managed the paper until February, 1870, when Mr. Constantin 
Beierle, for many years connected with the German press in De- 
troit, bought the paper from the trustees. In 1872 he organized 
a joint-stock company called "The Saginawer Zeitung Company," 
and the paper is still published under the firm name, although it 
is generally understood that Mr. Beierle bought nearly all the 200 
shares back again. 

Another German paper was started in 1871, but the field not 
being large enough it was obliged to suspend, after being pub- 
lished six months. One year later a German paper was started at 
Bay City, called the Bay City Pioneer, and appeared for about 
a year. It was then bought up by the Zeitung company and pub- 
lished by it for six months. It was then consolidated with the 
Zeitwig, and its own name suppressed. 

The Saginawer Zeitung has been in a prosperous condition for 
years, and is circulated extensively not only in Saginaw, but also 
throughout most of the State. It is published on Thursday of 
each week. Since March 1 a Sunday paper has been published 



HISTORY 01 BAGINAW COUNTY. !71 

by the company called the Sagmcmer Sonntagblatt, which 
appears to Bupply a long-felt want. 

The e litor and manager of the Sagmawer Zt ifomg, Mr. Constan- 
rin Beierle, was born in Rottweil, Wurtemberg, and acquired a 

s [education. He came to this country in L850, at the age of 

18, learned the trade of tombstone manufacturer, thinking that he 
was especially fitted for this by his training in drawing. lie. soon 
found oat, however, that wesl of New York, skill in drawing was 
Dot required in the manufacture of tombstones and monuments. 
He continued in this occupation, however, much of the time trav- 
eling, until 1857, when he discovered that the business was im- 
pairing his health. The following year he became business 
manager of the newly started daily and weekly Michigan 
stunt*-;, ItuiKj. published at Detroit. In 1859 he became a partner 
in the business, and the paper was published by the firm of 
De Haas S: Beierle until 1854, when they sold the paper to the 
Michigan Vblksblatt, another German daily paper in Detroit. 
The reason for this was that two older papers were published in 
Detroit, and independent journalism was not at that time very 
popular : a paper was obliged to be either Republican or Demo- 
cratic in order to be successful. The next year Mr. Beierle became 
connected with the then prosperous daily and weekly Michigan 
Jov/rnal (the oldest German daily in Michigan) as general 
agent, which position he filled until February, 1870, when he 
came to East Saginaw to take charge of the Saginawer Zeitung. as 
above stated, the arrangement for this step having been made the 
previous November. 

THE TAG LIC HE SAGINAW ABEND ZBITDNG 

was established by Robert Ebel, Feb. 28, 1881. The Zeitung is a 
four-page, 20-column daily journal, published at East Saginaw 
every lawful day, printed in German, and well patronized by the 
people in whose interest it is published. The circulation reaches 
600, and the office employs four men. 

Mr. Ebel, the proprietor, was born in Germany in 1837, emi- 
grated in ls.54, and settled at Detroit, where for 13 years he was 
foreman in the office of the Michigan Journal. In 1870 he came 
to East Saginaw, where he was employed as foreman in the office 
of the Saginaw Zeitung nine years. lie published the Bay City 
Pioneer^ a weekly journal, but failing to make it a success, entered 
on the greater, the more important work of publishing a German 
daily at Eist Saginaw. 

CHE8ANING TAPERS. 

In the spring of 1S69 was established the first newspaper printed 
at (hesaning. It was edited by Dr. C. W. Myers. It was neutral 
in politics. After an existence of about two years it died a natural 
death, from want of support by the business men of the village. 



472 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The Chesaning Weekly Times was the next to try its fortunes. 
It was owned by an association of the principal business men of 
the village, and edited by G. L. Chapman and II. W. Hicks. It 
was an eight-column folio, and run as an independent paper. Its 
first issue was dated May 20, 1870. It was managed and edited, as 
above stated, about two years, when the association turned over the 
paper, including: type and press, to J. W. Fitzgerald as editor, who 
took down its neutral or independent colors, and ran the same as a 
Republican paper about two years and a half, making it a paying 
institution, but finally left to edit a paper at Saginaw City. 

THE CHESANING ARGUS. 

was introduced to the public in January, 1878. Several futile 
attempts having been made to start a paper in Chesaning it was 
only with the greatest difficulty that the Argus won the confidence 
of the people and succeeded in placing itself upon a sound basis. 
During the same year Mr. Miller, its present editor and proprie- 
tor, purchased the interest of his partner and has since owned and 
conducted it. He has given his patrons an excellent local paper, 
one in which the entire people of Chesaning and vicinity now feel 
an unusual interest. 

Willis Miller, proprietor and editor of the Chesaning Argus, was 
born in Cayuga county, 1ST. Y., March 6, 1857. At the age of 10 
years Mr. Miller accompanied his parents, William H. and Matilda 
A. Miller, to Eaton county, Mich., and some years later to Osceola 
county, in this State, where he served an apprenticeship of three 
years in the office of the Osceola Outline, at Hersey. On Jan. 1, 
1878, Mr. Miller came to Chesaning, and purchased a half interest 
in the Chesaning Argus, the first number of which was issued on 
Jan. 5. The following July he purchased his partner's interest, 
and since then has conducted the paper alone, making it independ- 
ent in politics. He was married Feb. 11, 1879, to Carrie C. War- 
ren, born in Kalamazoo county, Mich., and daughter of Joel R. and 
Caroline C. Warren, natives of New York. They have one child, 
Olive Haskell. Mr. Miller is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

THE OAKLEY CYCLONE. 

The first and only newspaper ever published in Oakley Village 
is the Oakley Cyclone. Its first issue was dated March 11, 
1881, at that time not having a subscriber. As an evidence of 
how the paper was appreciated by the public, on its tenth weekly 
issue it had received a voluntary subscription, so that it had a 
circulation of 300. It is a four-column quarto, and its subscription 
price is $1 per year. It is neutral in politics, though treating on 
all the leading questions of the day. 

James J. Lawson, its editor and proprietor, was born in Barton 
township, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada. His parents moved 
to Oneida, Haldeman Co., Canada, when he was but three years ot 
age, where lie passed his early youth and manhood, receiving in 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 473 

the meantime a good common-school education. When 34 years 
of age he removed to Michigan, settling on a farm of 40 acres, in 
the town of New Haven, Shiawassee Co. Owing to an accident 
which resulted in the disabling of his left hand, he adopted his 
present vocation, for which he seems especially fitted. Mr. Lawson 
is probably better known throughout this county as "Nicodemus," 
under which nam cU plurru most of his articles for the press have 
been written. 

ST. CHARLES PAPERS. 

The first printing office, and the first newspaper to try its fort- 
unes in the village of St. Charles, was owned and edited by Daniel 
Griggs. It was a four-column folio, and issued weekly, mak- 
ing its first appearance May 1, 1877; and at the end' of six months, 
from want of support, expired. It advocated the Spiritualistic 
ideas, and was named the Angel of Light. 

The second newspaper enterprise was the St. Charles Times, 
sending out the first paper Aug. 3, 1877, — a five-column folio, in- 
dependent in all matters, issued weekly, and edited by D. C. Ash- 
man. It was continued only to its 11th week. 

The third venture was by Williams & McCauley, as owners and 
editors. This paper was a four-column folio, issued weekly, its first 
number appearing March 23, 1878, and regularly furnished to 
patrons until September, 1880. It was, like its predecessor, inde- 
pendent. 

THE REFORMER. 

The fourth to try its fortunes was the Reformer, owned and 
edited by Mrs. H. M. Conklin, a semi-monthly, four-column folio, 
a,nd is still furnished regularly to its subscribers; independent. 

ST. CHARLES LEADER. 

The fifth and last paper published in the village is the St. 
Charles /,""/</. a seven-column folio, Republican in politics, and 
edited Iry Gropengieser & Rice, both men of large experience in 
the newspaper business; and although bringing out the first paper 
Sept. 30, 1880, the list of subscribers now (June, 1881) numbers 500. 
The subscription price is $1.50. 



•CHAPTER XVIII. 

CHRONOLOGY. 

It is essential to a complete local history that the principal events 
should be fully and impartially recorded, and mention made of 
everything possessing even the least historical merit. It is just 
possible to obtain such data as would enable the writer to deal 
specially with many of the most important items in the history of 
this county; but notwithstanding all diligence in inquiry, all the 
valuable co-operation of the survivors of early settlement as well 
as of the citizens of the present time, many facts would escape notice 
had not the chronological table been prepared for their reception. 
To render this actually complete would require months, perhaps 
years, of labor, but enough remains to make the table as interesting 
as it is accurate. With the exception of the data given in con- 
nection with men and events, previous to the negotiation of the 
treaty, all else is based upon accepted records; even the pre-treaty 
data may be considered reliable, as all that is legendary and cir- 
cumstantial points directly to the occurrences and men concerned. 

EVENTS. 
DATE. 

1520 — Massacre of the Sauks by the Otchipwes. 

1634-8 — Visit of Breboeuf and Daniels to the Valley. 

1665 — Allouez and Duvall, or Dablon, established a mission. 

1668 — Jacques Marquette and M. Dablon visited the Indians. 

1674 — The Griffin anchored at the mouth of the river. 

1762 — The Otchipwes march to the aid of Pontiac. 

1780 — The Indians of the Saginaw march to aid La Balme. 

1792 — Francois Tromble visited the Saginaws. 

1806 — Onabouse hanged at Detroit. 

1811 — Louis Campeau and Jacob Smith, traders, visited the Great 
Camp. 

1816 — Campeau erected a trading hut on the site of Saginaw City. 

1819 — Treaty of Saginaw was negotiated. 

1820 — Jacob Smith releases the captured wife and children of 
David Henderson. 

1822 — Detachment of 3d U. S. Inf. from Green Bay arrive at Sag- 
inaw under Major Baker, and build a fort where the 
Taylor House now stands. The same year the troops 
erected a log hut opposite the Water Works. 
First plat of the " Town of Sagana" made for S. McCloskey 
and John Farrelly. 

(474) 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTT. 475 

Entry of land, where Saginaw City now is, made for Charles 

Little. 
Boundaries of Saginaw county defined by Gen. Cass. 
Road from Saginaw to Jacob Smith's post at Flint cut 

through by U. S. troops. 
Death of two officers and three private soldiers within Fort 
Saginaw. 
1S23 — The Fort of Saginaw evacuated. 
1823 — May 8 — Sale of first lot sold in 7 own of Sagana. 
1824 — Establishment of a post of the American Fur Company at 

Saginaw City. 
1825 — Kiskako drank the hemlock. 
1826 — Settlement at East Saginaw of Capt. Leon Snay, a French 

hunter and trapper. 
1828 — Settlement of Gardner D. Williams, first permanent white 

settler in Saginaw county. 
1S31 — Jan. 11 — County seat of Saginaw county located by Gov. 

Lewis Cass. 
1832 — July 4 — First Independence celebration in county, at the 
residence of Eleazer Jewett, at Green Point: 19 persons 
present. 
First marriage in Saginaw county: contracting parties were 
Mr. Campeau and Madeline Mashoe. 
1S34— Feb. 11— Birth of Mary Jewett (now Mrs. Dr. K D. Lee, 
of Saginaw City), first white child born in Saginaw county. 
First steam saw and grist mill built in Saginaw county by 
Harvey Williams, who soon after sold it to G. D. & E. S. 
Williams. 
1835 — Jan. 2S — Saginaw county organized by act of Territorial 
Legislative Council. 
First school taught in the Fort by Albert Miller. 
October — Board of Supervisors of Saginaw county organ- 
ized; first meeting held at residence of E. N. Davenport, 
Saginaw. 
First wheat raised in Saginaw county. 

Incorporation of a railroad company with a corporate stock 
of $1,000,000; road to be built from Mount Clemens to 
Saginaw City; length about 90 miles. 
1836 — Jan. 10 — First entry made in Probate Court Record of Sag- 
inaw county. 
March 1 — -Organization of the first Church in Saginaw Val- 
ley — Presbyterian, with 12 members. 
July 9 — First steamboat entered the Saginaw river. 
Establishment of first newspaper in county; name Saginaw 

Journal. 
Dr. Charles Little entered the land forming the present site 

of East Saginaw. 
Building at Saginaw City of the AVebster House. 
1837 — April 18 — First school district in Saginaw county organized. 
Saginaw City was laid out and streets named. 



476 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

First shipment of lumber from county from Emerson mill, 
IS lien a Vista, opposite Saginaw City; mill was built by a 
New York firm the year previous. 
Incorporation of the Saginaw& Genesee Railroad Company; 

capital stock, $400,000; length, 40 miles. 
Incorporation of the Owosso & Saginaw Navigation Com- 
pany with capital stock of $100,000; itsobject to improve 
the Shiawassee river. 
1838 — March 1 — Organization at Saginaw City of the First Pres- 
byterian Church. 
During summer small-pox broke out among Indians ot 

county, destroying nearly two-thirds of them. 
Attempt by the State of Michigan to bore salt springs on 
Tittabawassee river; not boring deep enough it proved a 
failure. 
Commencement of the famous "Saginaw or Northern Canal," 
to connect the navigable waters of Saginaw and Grand 
rivers; $68,000 appropriated by State; scheme a failure. 
1840 — Chief Tonawdogana died. 
1841 — Completion of the Territorial road, called the "Saginaw 

Turnpike." 
1842 — Ferry established across Saginaw river near Mackinaw 
bridge by G. D.Williams. 
The Saginaw North Star was established by R. W. Jenny 
— second newspaper in Saginaw county. 
1845 — April — Court-house furnished and ready for transaction of 
?,~ business; cost, $9,510. 

1847 — July 4 — Curtis Emerson bought what is known as Emer- 
son's addition to East Saginaw, and began operation there. 
1848 — Organization at Saginaw City of the German Evangelical 

Lutheran Church. 
1849— Feb. 9— Saginaw Lodge, No. 42, I. O. O. F., organized at 
Saginaw City. 
Settlement at East Saginaw of C. W. Grant, the first perma- 
nent American settler on the east side of the Saginaw 
river. 
First steamboat built on Saginaw river, by Curtis Emerson 
and others, and named the " Bneua Yista.'' 
1849 — Stage mail route established between Flint and Saginaw; 

mail formerly carried on horseback. 
1850 — May 1 — First town meeting and first election at East Sagi- 
naw; 19 votes cast. 
Tillage of East Saginaw platted. 
First store at East Saginaw opened by Alfred M. Hoyt and 

James Little. 
First birth at East Saginaw — a son of Lyman Ensign. 
Mayflower Mills built at East Saginaw — first mills at that 

city; cost, $50,000. 
Building of plank road from East Saginaw to Flint. 



HISTORY OF SAMNAW COUNTY. 477 

Scliool taught in upper story of Morgan L. Gage's residence 

at East Saginaw. i>y Dr. C T. Disbrow. 
First Btave yard in Saginaw county established in Saginaw 

City l.v II. Si, aw. 
1851 — Oct. 29 — The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of the 

Holy Cross of Saginaw City organized. 
Organization of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of 

Saginaw City. 
( Organization at Saginaw City of St. John's Episcopal 

Church. 
Establishment of terry at foot of Genesee avenue, in East 

Saginaw, by E. X. Davenport. 
The first school in East Saginaw established in a log shanty 

where now stands the Bancroft House; teacher, Miss 

Ingersoll. 
Completion of the Saginaw Valley House, a pioneer hotel of 

East Saginaw. 
1851-2 — First union school-house built at Saginaw City. 
l s 5ii — First death at East Saginaw- -German drowned in river; 

name not known. 
Completion of "Old Academy" in East Saginaw, on present 

site of Hoy t street school ; cost, £2,500. 
Truman B. Fox opened a select school at East Saginaw; SO 

scholars in attendance. 
Organization of an M. E. Church at East Saginaw, with A. 

( . Shaw, pastor. 
1S53 — Feb. 17 — Telegraph in working order between Detroit and 

Saginaw. 
March 3 — Spirit of the Times comes out in entire new 

dress. 
March 20 and 21 — Ice broke up in Saginaw river, and 

passed out into the bay. 
March 21 — Steamer Gen. Scott sunk at Watson's dock, 

lower Saginaw, in 12 feet of water. 
March 26 — A pauper named John Costello committed sui- 
cide at the county farm, by cutting his throat with a 

razor. 
March 28 — Steamer " J. Snow " was first boat to run on 

Saginaw river for the season of 1853. 
May 12— Corner-stone of St. John's Episcopal Church 

laid at Saginaw by Kt. JRev. Bishop McCoskry, of Detroit. 
May 15 — Severe hailstorm occurred at Saginaw City; but 

very little damage done. 
June 9 — Saw-mill and 500,000 feet lumber burned at Car- 

rollton, owned by Volney Chapin, of Ann Arbor: loss, 

$13,000. 
July 1 — Mail route from Saginaw City to Corunna es- 
tablished. 



478 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

1853 — Sept. 1 — Stage route established between Saginaw City and 
Ziiwaukee; also new stage route from the former place to 

Flint direct. 
Sept. 4 — Camp-meeting of the Chippewa Indians held at 

Swan Creek, about 7 miles from Saginaw ;|Rev. Geo. B. 

Bradley, presiding. 
Oct. 15 — Death of Alexander McEwan, of Lower Saginaw; 

cause, congestion of the brain. 
Oct. 25 — Dwelling houses a scarcity in Saginaw City; 

population increasing very rapidly. 
Oct. 29 and 30 — Quarterly meeting of M. E. Church 

in the "Academy" at East Saginaw; services commenced 

at "early candle-light." 
October — 23 steam saw-mills in operation on Saginaw river, 

and 21 in course of construction. 
October — Name of postoffice in Chesaning township 

changed from North Hampton to Chesaning; J. L. 

Fisher appointed postmaster. 
Nov. 16 — Disastrous fire in the building of Burt &Hyden, 

East Saginaw; losses heavy. 
Nov. 19 — Meeting of citizens at Saginaw City, and reso- 
lutions passed asking Congress to appropriate money for 

the improvement of Saginaw river; much interest mani- 
fested. 
Nov. 26 — Steamer " Huron" struck a rock near Lower Sagi- 
naw, causing very serious damage; no lives lost. 
November — Burglars entered dwelling of Benjamin Troin- 

bley. of Bangor, and stole nearly $1,300. 
Dec. 'io — A young man named Alexander, of Flint, was 

drowned while attempting to cross Squaconning creek" 

on the ice. 
j) ec n — A young man named Sidney Alexander drowned 

crossing a bayou on the ice at Lower Saginaw — was a 

resident of Flint. 
An apple-tree on Saginaw river (planted by an Indian) 

bore 90 bushels of apples. 
Establishment at East Saginaw, of the Saginaw Enterprise, 

the first paper in the village; proprietors, F. A. William- 
son and A. J. Mason. 
Church of St. Mary's (Catholic) organized at East Saginaw 

by Father Shutzes. 
1854 — Jan. 26 — Social given at the Wolverton House, Lower 

Saginaw. 
Feb. 10— Clark House, of Ziiwaukee, opened with a grand 

complimentary ball. 
Feb. 14 — Dr. George Davis, of Saginaw, an old pioneer of 

Saginaw county, died of heart disease. 
March 12 — Ice broke up in Saginaw river, and floated into 

the bay. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 479 

1854. — March -26 — Great conflagration at East Saginaw — a steam- 
mill, 1,000,000 feet of lumber, the "Washington Hotel, and 
seven other buildings totally destroyed: total loss about 
$40,000. 

March — Organization of the first Masonic lodge in county; 
name, " Ger mania." 

April 9 — Two prisoners, named Oberlauber and Wenmer, 
escaped from the county jail, after nearly beating to death 
Joshua Blackmore and deputy sheriff and jailor. 

April 20 — A German named Barnhard Fittinger was 
drowned in the Tittabawassee river, a few miles above Sag- 
inaw City, while trying to cross the river with an ox team. 

May 5 — Heavy frost all over the county; much damage 
done to fruit. 

May — Dickson's Detroit and Saginaw River Express es- 
tablished. 

June 12 — A stalk of rye, measuring seven feet, four inches, 
was presented to the editor of the Spirit of the Times. 

June 16 — Completion at Saginaw City of J. Pierson's 
saw-mill, runningthe first circular saw in Saginaw Valley. 

July 5 — Destructive fire at East Saginaw — Irving House; 
W. L. P. Little & Co.'s large warehouses and other 
buildings totally consumed; loss $100,000; insured for 
$50,000. 

July 7 — David Taylor, while at work in mill of Hoyt & 
Whitney, at East Saginaw, became entangled in machin- 
ery, and was crushed to death. 

Aug. 21 — Sale at Saginaw City of the State swamp lands. 

Dec. 3 — M. E. church of Lower Saginaw dedicated. 

Dec. 5 — Dwelling house of A. R. Swarthout, three miles 
from Saginaw City, destroyed by fire; one child badly 
burned before rescued. 

Organization at East Saginaw of St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church, Rev. V. Spaulding officiating. 

Erection of the first iron foundry and machine shop in Sag- 
inaw Valley, at East Saginaw, by Warner & Eastman. 
1855 — Feb. 6 — Extremely cold weather in Saginaw county; snow 
two feet deep, and thermometer 30° below zero. 

March 23 — A man named Havens, living near East Sagi- 
naw, was found frozen to death; an empty liquor bottle 
lying near told the cause of it. 

April 8 — A young man died at Saginaw from the effects of 
a tree falling and crushing his skull the preceding Wed- 
nesday. 

April 8 and 9 — Ice passed out of Saginaw river, and navi- 
gation opened. 

April 10 — Ice in Saginaw river floated out into the bay. 

April 12 --Arrival at East Saginaw of the "Traffic " — the 
first boat of the season. 



4S0 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY 

1855 — April 17 — Weather line; streets in Saginaw City dry and 

dusty. 
June 2— First I. O. O. F. lodge of East Saginaw— the O- 

saw-way-bon, No. 14, instituted. 
July 6 — Large railroad meeting at East Saginaw — steps 

taken to secure railroad communication with Lansing and 

the great Southwest. 
From May 1 to July 31, 172 brigs and schooners and 51 

steamboats arrived at "the Saginaws." 
Sept. 21 — Death of Lion. Thomas Mc Carty, pioneer of 

Northern Michigan, at the residence of his brother in Titta- 

bawassee township. 
November — Mysterious disappearance of a farmer named 

Hall, of Tittabawassee township. 
November — Large freshet on Saginaw river; bridge swept 

away; 500 tons of hay destoyed; potato, corn and wheat 

fields severely damaged. 
East Saginaw incorporated as a village. 
Establishment of the first bank at East Saginaw, on Gene- 
see avenue. 
1856 — Jan. 3 — Store of Hart & Fav, at Lower Saginaw, burned to 

ground; loss" $16, 000. 
Feb. 10 — The old ferry house opposite the foot of Mack- 
inaw street in Saginaw, burned to the ground; one child, 

a son of Mr. Sparks, the owner, perished in the names. 
February — Tree cut down on Cass river, by S. S. Lee, and 

after scaling by J. M. Baldwin measured seven 16-foot 

logs containing 9,630 feet of lumber. 
June 7 — A four-year-old child, son of Hezekiah Trickey, of 

Tittabawassee township, fell into well and was drowned. 
July 8 — Hon. Ebenezer C. Kimberly, a pioneer of the 

Shiawassee valley, died at Corunna. 
Dec. 8 — A boy named Dean, of East Saginaw, was drowned 

in the Saginaw river three miles below Saginaw City. 
December — A military company, called Hampton Guards, 

Captain Thomas M. Lyon, organized at East Saginaw. 
Immense tires in the cranberry marshes destroyed much 

property and many tine forests. 
First Masonic lodge — Saginaw, No. 77, chartered at East 

Saginaw. 
1857 — Jan. 21 — Organization of F. & P. M. K. K. Co.; road com- 
pleted for travel 1862; first engine called the Polly wog. 
Feb. 17 — Saginaw City charter granted; population 536. 
March 27 — A man named Christopher Crum, a native of 

Vermont, was accidentally drowned at St. Charles. 
May 21 — A married man named Henry Balch, employed 

in the Saginaw City Mill Company's gang mill, was 

killed by a stray bolt of iron striking him on the head. 
May 21 — A saw-mill, 750,000 feet of lumber and many mill 

docks burned at Zilwaukee; loss about $25,000. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 481 

July 26— A disastrous fire occurred at East Saginaw, destroy- 
ing the larger portion of a genera] stock owned by Heach 
& Afoores. 

Sept.fi Charles L. Richmah, who settled in the Saginaw 
Valley in L836, died at his residence in Saginaw Citv. 

Nov. 1 — A meteor passed over Saginaw county; direction 
Dorth to south. 

Nov. L6 An intoxicated man named William Hall fell 
from a bridge over the Saginaw river, near East Saginaw, 
and was drowned. 

Nov. 24-— Hon. James G. Birney, a former resident of Sag- 
inaw county and a candidate for the Presidency in 1844, 
died at Englewood, N. J. 

Saginaw City incorporated — Gardner D. Williams first 
mayor. 

M. E. Church of Saginaw City organized. 

I'. S. land office located at Mast Saginaw. 

( Organization at EastSaginaw of the Congregational Church, 
Rev. Mr. Smith officiating — present edifice dedicated on 
June 14. 1868. 

Organization at East Saginaw of the fire companies "Pio- 
neer, No. 1," and ,k Jesse Hoyt, No. 2." 
1858 dan. 11 — Establishment of the Saginaw City Literary Asso- 
ciation. 

July 14 — Mrs. Ruth Lull died at her residence in Bridge- 
port township, aged 85 years. 

Summer one of extremes — floods, drouths, heat and cold 
given to the inhabitants of Saginaw county in magnificent 
profusion; Aug. 26, big frost. 

Nov. 27 — Saginaw ( 'itv Library first opened. 

Dec. 11 — Hon. Gardner D. Williams, an honored pioneer 
of Saginaw county, died at Saginaw City. 

Congregational Church of East Saginaw organized; present 
building erected in 1868; cost, $3(5,000. 
L859 — Jan. 17 — Thomas O'Hara and his son James were frozen 
to death between East Saginaw and Swan Creek. 

Feb. 15 — Bill passed and approved in State Legislature to 
appropriate $10,000 to develop salt interests in Sag- 
inaw Valley. 

March 17 -—East Saginaw became a city. 

March Saginaw ('ity Light Infantry, Captain Louis 
I'ranke, composed mostly of Germans, organized. 

April 13— A young man named Charles Wyman, while 
passing down the Tittabawassee river on a boat, fell over- 
board and was drowned. 

April lfi — Articles of association of East Saginaw Salt 
Manufacturing Company signed at East Saginaw — cap- 
ital stock. $50,000; salt water found following Feb. 7, 
and stock increased to $250,000. 

92 



482 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

July — Weekly Courier, of East Saginaw, founded by George 

F. Lewis. 
Aug. 19— Laying of first rail of the F. & P. M., at East 

Saginaw. 
Sept. 7 — Opening at East Saginaw of the Bancroft House. 
Nov. 8 — Death at East Saginaw of Hon. Norman Little, an 

enterprising pioneer of the Saginaw Valley. 
Dec. 21 — Organization at East Saginaw of the German 

Library Society. 
1860 — Feb. 10 — Organization at Saginaw Oity of the Saginaw 

Valley Agricultural Society. 
March 10 — Steam grist-mill of W. L. P. Little & Co., 

located in Saginaw Oity, destroyed by fire; loss, $35,000, 

insured for $22,000. 
April 25- -Great fire on Water street, Saginaw City; eight 

buildings destroyed; total loss, $3,950; total insurance, 

$1,900. 
May 9 — Consecration of St. John's Episcopal church at 

Saginaw City, by Bishop Mc Coskry. 
July 4 — Grand celebration at East Saginaw; immense con- 
course of people in attendance; glorious time. 
Aug. 3 — Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, of East Saginaw, 

gave their first annual ball in Washington Hall. 
1861 — March 21 — Navigation opened in Saginaw river. 

April 22 — Immense Union demonstration at East Saginaw; 

three companies of men proffered to the Governor. 
May 7 — Destructive fire in East Saginaw; 23 buildings, 

large amount of lumber, staves etc- destroyed; loss, 

$55,000; insured for $17,500. 
May 11 — Two men while crossing the Saginaw river from 

Saginaw City to East Saginaw in a canoe, were struck by 

the steamer •" Star " and drowned. 
June 5 — Ex-Mayor Bullock, of Saginaw City, accidentally 

killed by bursting of a vat at Saginaw City Salt Works. 
June 6 Company " H" of the 2d Keg. Mich. Vol. Inf. 

— formerly the East Saginaw Guard — left Detroit for 

Washington. 
June 18 — The Hoyt Light Guard, of East Saginaw, and 

Saginaw City Guards left their respective cities for Fort 

Wayne, Ind. 
June 22 — Two men named Townsend and Swartz killed 

at St Charles by the slipping off of the belt from a wheel 

in Townsend & Kumberley's saw-mill. 
June 23 — Timothy Deshay drowned in Saginaw river oppo- 
site Carrollton. 
June 25 — A fire at East Saginaw destroyed four buildings; 

loss, $45,000; insurance, $24,650. 
June 27 — L. L. G. Jones, editor of the Spirit of the Times, 

of Saginaw City, died of the measles, at East Saginaw. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 483 

June 29 — Steamer " Little Eastern" sunk by colliding with 
steamer "Fox," in Saginaw river, near Saginaw City. 

.lime 30 — A large cornet was noticed to the northwest pass- 
ing eastward. 
1863— Jan. 21 — Organization of the Saginaw River Bridge Co., 
of East Saginaw: in lsn'4, built Genesee avenue bridge; 
length 700 feet; cost, $50,000; soon after built Bristol 
street bridge. 

May 23 — East Saginaw Gas Co. organized with capital stock 
o\' $5< >,000; in October, 1866, stock increased to $150,000. 

Dec. s Beginning of travel across the Genesee avenue 
bridge between Saginaw City and East Saginaw. 

Dec. 15 — Navigation closed on Saginaw river. 

First Baptist Church of Saginaw organized. 

First brick block devoted to mercantile purposes erected 
at Saginaw City. 

Fay. Bliss & Co. established the Valley Bank, at East 
Saginaw. 

Everett House, of East Saginaw, built by a Mr. Crouse. 
1864 — Jan. 1 — Very cold throughout county; thermometer stood 
24 ° below zero ; many people suffered severely. 

Jan. 12 — Saginaw Valley Chapter, No. 31, of East Saginaw, 
established. 

Feb. 1 — Killing in the streets of Saginaw City of a wild- 
cat measuring seven feet sir inches from tip to tip. 

Feb. 1 — Death at Saginaw City of Mrs. Jane A. Little, 
widow of the Hon. Norman Little. 

Feb. 9 — First lighting of East Saginaw by gas. 

Feb. 17 — Departure from Saginaw City of the 16th Reg. 
Mich. Vol. Inf., after a two-weeks furlough; grand ball 
at Webster House evening previous. 

March 3 — Dedication at Saginaw City of the Methodist 
Episcopal church; sermon by Rev. Dr. Eddy. 

April 7 — An old-fashioned New England dinner at Web- 
ster House, Saginaw City; an admirable affair. 

April 23 — Organization of the Sabbath-School Association 
of the Saginaw Valley, Albert Hough, President, at Sag- 
inaw City. 

May 14 — Departure at Saginaw City of Capt. Lockwood's 
company of the 9th ( 'avalry. 

May 26 — Very low water in Saginaw river— hardly enough 
to float vessels. 

June — Visit to the Saginaw Valle}' of Alderman Daking, 
Lord High Sheriff of London, Eng., and President of 
the G. A\ . R. R., with other officers of the road. 

July 4 — Immense celebration at Saginaw City; closed with 
grand ball at Webster House. 

July 12 — Meeting of the Flint Ministerial Association of 
the M. E. Church at Saginaw City. 



484 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

1864— Sept. 11— Dedication of the M. E. Church at Saline, E. O. 

Haven, D. D. , President of the University of Michigan, 

officiating. 
October — During month, over 1,147 vessels passed through 

bridge at East Saginaw. 
Nov. 9 — Big storm all over county; Saginaw river lowered 

nearly six feet by the storm; Presbyterian church in 

course of erection at Salina utterly destroyed. 
Nov. 10 — First car run on East Saginaw street railway. 
Nov. 10 — Organization of the East Saginaw Street R. P. 

Co., and road built to South Saginaw the following April. 
Organization of the I. O. G. T. lodge of Saginaw City. 
Saginaw street railroad built and put in running operation. 
1865 — Jan. 26 — -Destructive tire at East Saginaw; an entire block 

ol buildings burned; loss about $100,000. 
Feb. 14 — "Old folks" concert at East Saginaw; large 

gathering; excellent music. 
May 16 — Navigation opened on the Saginaw river. 
June 3 — Death at Saginaw of James H. Gotee, one of the 

oldest and most respected citizens of that city. 
June 7 — Meeting at East Saginaw of the Michigan State 

Sabbath School Society. 
June 13 — Fire at Saginaw; A. W. Wright's mill utterly 

consumed; loss $80,000, insurance $20,000. — Fire at 

Carrollton destroyed $20, 000 of property of Chicago Salt 

and Lumber Co. 
June 18 — Death at Saginaw City of S. W. King, a pioneer 

lumberman of the Saginaw Yalley. 
Aug. 25 — First meeting of the Saginaw City Gas Light 

Company. 
First National Bank of East Saginaw organized; capital 

$100,000. 
Daily Enterprise established at East Saginaw. 
1866— May 10— Valley Encampment, No. 20 (I. O. O. F.), of 

East Saginaw, chartered. 
City of Saginaw subscribed $100,000 to aid in building the 

Amboy, Lansing & Traverse Bay P. P. 
1867 — Completion to Saginaw City of the Jackson, Lansing & 

Saginaw P. P. 
1867-'S — Erection at Saginaw City of the new Union school 

building. 
1868 — March — Presbyterian Church of East Saginaw organized. 
November — Lighting of Saginaw City by gas. 
Dec. 12 The famous Wah-wah-sum Boat Club of Sagi- 
naw City organized. 
Saginaw City Teutonia Turn-verein completed its organi- 
zation. 
Founding of the Saginaw Zeitung at East Saginaw. 
Daily Courier, of East Saginaw, established. 
Laying at East Saginaw of the first Nicholson pavement. 



KI8T0BY OF >\<.INAW OODNTT. 485 

1870 — Plank road completed between Saginaw City and St. Louis, 
in < tratiot county. 

Organization of the Liberal Church of Saginaw City. 

Eomefor the Friendless and Industrial School, of East Sag- 
inaw, organized. 
1871 -German Workingmen's Society, of Saginaw City, began its 
existence. 

Azure Lodge, No. 43, Daughters of Rebecca, of East Sag- 
inaw, chartered. 
1S72 — April I — Incorporation of the Savings Bank of East Sag- 
inaw, with capital of 8100,000. 

April 25 — Organization of the East Saginaw Driving Park- 
Association. 

Saginaw Z-itung Company organized, capital $10,000. 

Holly Water Works at Saginaw City put into operation. 
1873 — Jan. 23 — Very heavy snow storm at Saginaw City and vi- 
cinity; trains delayed several hours. 

Jan. 29 — Thermometer indicated 32 ° below zero at Saginaw 
City. 

Feb. 6 — Holly Water Works tested at Saginaw Citv; gave 
general satisfaction. 

Feb. 27 — East Saginaw and South Saginaw consolidated by 
act of Michigan Legislature. 

March 12 — Heavy freshet on Saginaw river; railroads dam- 
aged considerably. 

April 29 — Birdie Kelsey, a boy six years of age, killed by a 
Saginaw street railroad car. 

May 27 — An Indian, 22 years of age, son of Black Elk, was 
killed near Swan Creek by a J., L. & S. R. R. train; he 
was intoxicated. 

June 11 — Meeting of the State Medical Society at Saginaw 
City; an excursion to Bay City same evening. 

June 20 — Great fire at East Saginaw; several buildings, 
lumber, etc., totally destroyed; losses, $75,000. 

June— Kesher Shell Barsel, No. 110, A. J. O. R. S. B. 
i Hebrew), of East Saginaw, organized. 

Julv 16 — Suicide of Mr. Charles F. Shaw, at East Saginaw, 
hv pistol shot. 

Julv 24 — Victory of the Wah-wah-sum Club at the N. W. 
A. B. A., at Toledo, Ohio. 

Aug. 13 — Paine's saw-mill and salt block burned at Saginaw 
City; losses, $70,000; insurance, $40,000. 

Sept. 12 — Reunion of the 23d Mich. Vol. Inf. at Saginaw 
City; grand banquet in evening at Ta} 7 lor House. 

Sept. 15 — Opening of the Saginaw Central Fair at Saginaw 
City; 1,600 entries in all; a complete success. 

Oct. 12 — The M. E. church on the Penoyer farm was dedi- 
cated, Rev. Dr. Eldred, of Coldwater district, Michigan 
Conference, presiding. 



486 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

1873 — Oct. 22 — A large fire at Ballentine & Co.'s saw-mill and 

salt works at Carrollton, lasting some 13 hours; loss 

heavy. 
Nov. 10 — Charles Decker, conductor on J., L. & S. R. R. 

gravel train, instantly killed by his train at Zilwaukee. 

He resided at Jackson, Mich. 
Nov. 28 — Organization of the Saginaw Valley Pioneer So- 
ciety at Saginaw City. 
Nov. 30 — A boy named Willie Wheeler fell through the 

ice while skating on the Saginaw river at Saginaw City, 

and was drowned. 
Dec. 3 — A heavy gale occurred at Saginaw City and vicinity ; 

great damage done; no lives lost. 
Dec. 11 — Organization of the Saginaw River Improvement 

Association. 
Building of the Saginaw Valley & St. Louis R. R. 
1874 — Jan. 2 — An accidental explosion of a can of gunpowder in 

a grocery store of Saginaw City killed one child, wounded 

its mother, and severely burned the clerk; stock badly 

damaged. 
Jan. 10 — Dr. Louis Franke, of Saginaw City, walked off a 

dock and was drowned. 
Acceptation of the Holly Water Works by the city of East 

Saginaw; water brought from Tittabawassee river, three 

and a half miles distant. 
January — Death of Timothy 13. Corning, of East Saginaw, 

an honored citizen of Saginaw county. 
January — Achilles Lodge, No. 15, Knights of Pythias, of 

Saginaw City, chartered. 
Feb/ 12— Death of Mrs. H. M. "Williams, wife of Hon. 

Ephraim S. Williams, at the age of 65 years. 
Feb. 25 — A fire occurred at East Saginaw, burning up a 

small frame house, together with Mary Simpkins, one of 

the i J' mates. 
Feb. 28 — Organization of the Saginaw County Pioneer 

Society. 
April 4— James Freeman, of Brant township, was killed by 

the accidental discharge of his gun while in the timber two 

miles from St. Charles. 
April 15 — J. F. Bundy, a prominent lumberman of the 

Saginaw Valley, died suddenly at his residence at East 

Saginaw. 
May 1 — Organization of the East Saginaw Lumber Ex- 
change, by Hon. Charles V. De Land. 
June 3 — Meeting of the Grand Commandery of Knights 

Templar of the State of Michigan at East Saginaw. 
June 18 — Rochester Salt and Lumber Co.'s works burned at 

Carrollton; loss, $60,000; insurance, $32,000. 
June 23 — Annual meeting of the East Saginaw Driving 

Park Association continued four days. 



HI8T0RY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 4S7 

June 24— Saginaw Valley Pioneer Society excursion from 
Saginaw and Easl Saginaw to Bay City; fine time. 

June 25 — A bricklayer of Saginaw City aged 25, named 
Christopher Weis, drowned in Saginaw river. 

July 1 Boiler exploded in Grant A; Savior's saw-mil] neai 
Carrollton, killing four men, and severely injuring 
several others. 

July 1" — Death of Mrs. Arminda R. T. Sweet, wifeof Hon, 
William II. Sweet, of Saginaw City. 

July lii- At the East Saginaw Driving Park Association 
races, Goldsmith Maid trotted a mile in 2:16. 

July 30- Destructive fire at Saginaw City; George F. 
Williams & Bro.'s saw-mill .burned; loss, $40,000, in- 
surance. $30,000. 

Aug. 8— Death of George II. Richardson, city editor of the 
East Saginaw ( burii r. 

Aug. 24 — Death of ('apt. dames J. Maiden, of Alpena, 
formerly clerk of Saginaw county, and a pioneer of 
Saginaw Valley. 

Aug. 20 — Death at East Saginaw ol Mrs. Margaret Tall- 
man, at the remarkable age of 114 years. 

Sept. 8, 9, 10 — Annual meeting of the Saginaw Central 
Agricultural Society; good exhibition. 

Sept. Il ; — Death of Mrs. Sarah A. Bullock, relict of George 
W. Bullock, at Saginaw City. 

Sept. L6, 17. I s — Twenty-sixth annual fair of the Mich- 
igan State Agricultural Society at East Saginaw; magnifi- 
cent display of farm products, stock, machinery and 
manufactured articles; immense crowds in attendance; 
weather very good. 

Sept. 18 — Death of Alonzo Rust, one of the oldest and most 
respected pioneers of the Saginaw Valley, at his residence 
in Saginaw ( 'ity. 

Death by suicide, at the county poor farm, of Luke Courville, 
aged L02 years; oldest man in county. 
1875. — Feb. 9 — Pastors" Conference of the Flint River Baptist As- 
sociation at East Saginaw. 

February — Establishment of the Saginaw < 'hurch CIt.ro/nile — 
editors— Kev. William II. Watts, Rev. G. W. Wilson 
and Rev. II. J. Brown. 

March 23 — An old-fashioned •• fox drag" at the East Saginaw 
Driving Park — prize collar awarded to a dog belonging 
to Mr. Gould, of Saginaw City. 

May 6 — A man named John ( )\Donnell fell off a boat in the 
Saginaw river, at Saginaw City, and was drowned. 

May 19 — Fountain Head Lodge, No. 860, Good Templars, 
of Eas1 Saginaw, organized. 

July 5 — Grand Independence celebration at Saginaw City 
— 15,000 people present besides the citizens. 

July >— Saginaw Salt Co. organized — capital, $500, ( 00. 



488 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Aug. 13 — Death of A. A. Parsons, Secretary of Saginaw 
County Agricultural Society, at his residence at Saginaw 
City. 

Sept. 8 — Death of John M. Smith, an old pioneer of Sag- 
inaw county, at his farm in Saginaw township. 

Sept. 13-17 — Michigan State Fair held at East Saginaw — 
large attendance — fine exhibitions. 

Oct. 6-8 — Annual meeting of Saginaw Central Agricultural 
Society at Saginaw. 

November — Public Library of East Saginaw formed by 
consolidation of the Young Men's and old East Saginaw 
Libraries. 

Dec. 18 — Death of Charles S. Kimberly, an old resident 
of Saginaw City. 
1876 — May 1 — Organization of East Saginaw Board of Trade. 

Sept. 12 — Murder at Chesaning of Charles Smith, by his 
wife, his sister-in-law, Mrs. Cargin, her husband Free- 
man Cargin and Norris Alexander. 
1877— April — Establishment of the famous Carrollton Oar Fac- 
tory, at Carrollton. 

Dec. 1 — Death at Saginaw City, of Hymen F. Piermort, 
one of the oldest lumbermen in the Saginaw Valley. 

Dec. 5 — Death at East Saginaw of Mrs. Adelaide Cush- 
way, who settled in Saginaw county in 1826. 

Dec. 17 — Grand re-union of the Soldiers' and Sailors' 
unions at Saginaw City. 

Dec. 17 — Death at East Saginaw of Hon. John. F. Driggs, 
who for several years ably represented the district of 
Michigan in Congress. 

Dec. 26, 27 , 28 — Annual session of the Michigan State 
Teachers' Association at the Congregational church of 
East Saginaw. 

Dec. 28 — Death at East Saginaw of James G. Terry, one of 
the oldest pioneers of" the Saginaws." 

Organization of the Michigan Dairy Salt Co., with capital 
stock of $25,000. 
1878 — Jan. 8 — Second annual meeting of the Saginaw Valley 
Poultry Association at East Saginaw. 

Jan. 24 — Annual meeting at East Saginaw of the Michigan 
Salt Association. 

Jan. 28 — Meeting at Saginaw City of the Farmers' Institute. 

Feb. 2 — Death of Moses B. Hess, an honored and respected 
citizen of East Saginaw. 

Feb. 23 — Organization at the court-house at Saginaw City, 
of the Saginaw County Farmers' Club. 

Feb. 27 — Commencement of work on the free bridge be- 
tween Saginaw City and East Saginaw. 

March 6 — Death at Galveston, Texas, of Alfred H. Wright, 
one of the largest lumber dealers in the Saginaw Valley. 



UI-ToRY OF SAGINAW roi'NTV. 489 

March \:\ — Serious accident on the J., L. & 8. R. R., near 
St. Charles— two men killed. 

April li» — Twelfth annual meeting of the Michigan Bee- 
Keepers' Association convened at Kast Saginaw. 

A j »ri 1 L3 A skiff capsized in the Saginaw river at Sag- 
inaw City, drowning two boys and severely injuring an- 
other. 

April 17 — Annual plowing match of the Flint River Val- 
ley Society at Taymouth. 

.May' 4 — Death at Pine River of Royal 0. Remick, of East 
Saginaw, an enterprising lumber merchant of the Sag- 
inaw Valley. 

June 3 — Laying of the corner-stone of Teutonia Hall, at 
Saginaw City, by the Turn-verein of that city. 

June L7— Laying of the corner-stone of the German Catho- 
lic church of the Sacred Heart, at EastSaginaw. 

duly :! — Death <>f Ephraim Guenther, the first musical 
director of the Germania Society of Mast Saginaw. 

duly 17 — Death at East Saginaw of David Ellis, an old 
pioneer of the Saginaw Valley. 

July 16, 17. 18 — Ssengerfest of the Peninsular Saengebund 
held at Kast Saginaw. 

duly 28— < lompletionof free bridge at foot of Johnson street, 
at Kast Saginaw; cost, about $19,000. 

Aug. 1 — Beavy rain and hail storm at St. (diaries; some 
damage done. 

Aug. 11— Annual "harvest festival" of Frankenmuth town- 
ship; large attendance. 

Aug. 14— Death of John d. Steven-, one of the oldest res- 
idents of Easl Saginaw. 

Aug. 1 t — Destructiol] by tire of Sears & Holland's saw-mill 
at Saginaw City: lo>-. $50,000; insurance, $30,000. 

Aug. 20 — Death of Phineas G. Spalding, at the residence 
of his -ondndaw. in Spalding township, named after 
deceased. 

Aug. 26 Meeting of the State Teachers' Institute at Sag- 
inaw < 'ity. 

Sept. L3— Dedication of the St. Joseph Total Abstinence 
Society Temperance Hall at East Saginaw. 

Sept. 16 — Organization of Herb's Germania Band, of the 
3d Reg., at Easl Saginaw. 

Sept. 24 — Opening of the Saginaw Central Agricultural 
Society fair at Saginaw City. 

September — Completion of St. Mary's Academy of the 
( latholic Church, at Saginaw ( 'ity. 

( ><-t. LI— Thirteenth annua! gathering of the 23d Keg. 
Mich. Vol. Inf.. at Saginaw City. 

Dec. 4 — A. P. Brewer's mill property at East Saginaw, 
destroyed by fire loss, $50,000 insurance-. $3<>, 



490 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

1879 Jan. 11 — Death at Saginaw City of J. J. Swarthout, an old 
resident of "the Saginaws." 

Jan. 26 — Celebration on the anniversary of Robert Burns* 
birthday at East Saginaw by the St. Andrew Society. 

Jan. 26-29 — Fourth annual exhibition of the Saginaw 
Valley Poultry Association at East Saginaw. 

January — Completion to East Saginaw of the Detroit & 
Bay City R, R. 

Feb. 9 — Death in Tittabawassee township of John Thomp- 
son, who settled in Saginaw county in 1832. 

Feb. 19 — H. B. Roney deposited 30,000 California salmon 
fry in the Cass river; were furnished by the Michigan 
Fish Commission. 

March 29 — Death at East Saginaw of Capt. Matthew 
Little, who came to Saginaw county in 1851. 

April 4 — Death of Joseph E. Shaw, an honored and re- 
spected citizen of East Saginaw. 

April 8 — Finding of the body of a murdered man on Hoyt's 
farm, Buena Vista township; murderer unknown. 

May 12 — Sears vfc Holland's salt blocks, drill houses and 
4,000 barrels of salt burned at East Saginaw. 

May 26 — Destructive fire at Zilwaukee; six buildings 
burned; loss, $6,000; insurance, $2,200. 

May 27 — Meeting of the Northern Convocation of the Dio- 
cese of Michigan, at East Saginaw. 

May 27 — Telephone communication between Bay City and 
East Saginaw perfected. 

May 30 — Decoration services on large scale at Saginaw 
City; Rev. F. A. Bruske, orator. 

June 18 — Annual meeting of East Saginaw Driving Park 
Association. 

June 25 — First annual commencement of St. Mary's Acad- 
emy, East Saginaw; an enjoyable occasion. 

July 4 — Immense celebration .at St. Charles; oration by 
the Mayor, K S. Wood. 

July 17 — Opening of the Bell Telephone Exchange at the 
Saginaws. 

July 29 — Fire at Saginaw City burned nine buildings; loss, 
$11,000; insurance, $1,600. 

Aug. 3 — Large out-door temperance meeting at East 
Saginaw; address by P. T. Barnum, of circus fame. 

Aug. 20 — Immense conflagration at Carrollton; Sanborn 
& Bliss' mills, etc., totally destroyed; loss, $137,000; in- 
surance, $69,000. 

Sept. 23, 24, 25 — Fourteenth Annual Fair of the Saginaw 
County Agricultural Society at Saginaw City. 

Sept. 26 — Annual re-union of the Soldiers' and Sailors' 
Unions at Saginaw City. 

Sept. 26 — Death of LotonH. Eastman, of East Saginaw, 
the first president of the Saginaw Valley & St. Louis- 
R. R, 



BISTORT OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 491 

1879 — Oct. 11 — Serious shooting affray on board barge U J. E. 
Sparrow"; one man fatally injured. 

Oct. 11 -Murder in Taymouth township of Heber K. 
[ves by Allen Barnum. 

< >ct. 24 — Death at Saginaw City of( >scar D. Chapin, an en- 
terprising salt and lumber manufacturer. 

October — First trial of granulating salt by the Elmer pro- 
cess, ;it Mc( Jraw'a salt block. 

Nov. 15 — Terrific boiler explosion at Carrollton; one man 
killed ami two severely wounded. 

Dee. u — Completion of the Saginaw & Mt. Pleasant Nar- 
row < rauge R. R. 
1880 — Ian. 2— Henry Fisher killed at a dance in Kochville, by 
Peter Wells; a knife used to perform the murderous 

deed. 

•Ian. 2— A fire at Saginaw City destroyed $60, 000 worth of 
property belonging to Wells, Stone & Co. 

•Ian. 1!> — Meeting at East Saginaw of the Grand Chapter 
of Royal Arch .Masons of the State of Michigan. 

Feb. 11 — Death" at East Saginaw of Curtis Emerson, the 
I >ioneer citizen of East Saginaw, at the age of 70 years. 

April 26— Sixty-first anniversary of the formation of the 
I. < >. ( ). F. in the United States, at East Saginaw; 200 
men in procession; grand supper in the evening. 

May 25 — Suicide at East Saginaw of Marcus Thede, Ger- 
man blacksmith, by gunshot wound; cause unknown. 

June 7 — Terrible tragedy in Laketiekl township. ; Patrick 
Clark and wife foully murdered; remains burned, to- 
gether with the residence. 

June 8 — Democratic State Convention held at East Sagi- 
naw. 

•lune 12 — Death at Saginaw City of William Gillett. a 
prominent attorney of Saginaw county. 

July in — Death at Cleveland, Ohio, of Charles B. Headley, 
formerly one of the proprietors of the Lumberman's Ga- 
:< tti . 

Aug. 18 — Sale at East Saginaw of the F. & P. M. R. R. 

to New York parties; price, $1, , >, $50,000 cash 

down. 

Aug. 25 — Eleventh annual reunion of the " Fighting 
Fifth " Mich. Vol. Inf., at Saginaw City ; oration by 
('apt. Cook, of Richmond, Virginia. 

Sept. 1 — One Daniel Parkhurst, of East Saginaw, was 
roasted alive in E. E. Johnson's lime kiln, on Water 
street. 

Sept. 21, 22, 23— Fifteenth annual meeting of tin' Sagi- 
naw County Agricultural Society, at East Saginaw. 

Sept. 2ti — Dedication at Frankenmuth of the German Lu- 
theran church: sermons by Prof. Craemers, of St. Louis 
University, and Prof. Cull, of Fort Wayne, Ind. 



492 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Oct. 4 — Inquest held at East Saginaw, on body of Wesley 
Weldon, who was found dead in Saginaw river — was res- 
ident of Bridgeport township for 42 years. 

Nov. 17 — Meeting of the stockholders of the Michigan Salt 
Association at East Saginaw. 

Nov. 24 — A destructive tire near Saginaw City consumed 
A. D. Camp's saw-mill and salt block — loss, $30,000 — 
insured for $16,000. 

November— Organization of the Saginaw Transportation 
Company — capital, $50,000. 
1881 — Feb. 6 — Fred Weichmann killed at a wedding party by 
John Laesh — place, East Saginaw. 

Feb. 8 — Meeting at the Bancroft House. East Saginaw, of 
the directors of the Northeast District Agricultural 
Societv. 

Feb. 24-27— -The ninth annual meeting of the Y. M. C. A., 
of Michigan, at East Saginaw. 

Death of D. B. Ketcham. 

May 26 — Organization of the German Pioneer Society. 

May 30 — Magnificent celebration of Decoration Day. 




CITY AND TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 

The history of the city of East Saginaw begins with the year 
L849, when Charles W. Grant settled here; while still the log 
house, erected by the American Fur Company on the present site 
of the Bancroft House, was tenanted by the celebrated trapper, 
Captain Leon Snay, G. D. Williams' garden beds were located 
near the F. & P. M. R. K. depot, a swail or marsh extended to the 
very door of Leon Snay's forest castle, game sported in the woods 
and rivers, and the little world, centered on what is now one of the 
busiest thoroughfares of a prosperous city, was tranquil. The 
enterprising Emerson continued his industry on the river bank, 
one mile above Genesee street, under the shadow of his modest, 
though high-titled, dwelling. 

The land on which the city now stands was purchased from the 
eral Government in 1830 by Dr. Little, father of W. L. P. 
Little. This property passed into the hands of the Detroit Bank- 
ing Co.. and the second purchasers, like the first, were compelled 
to dispose of it. Norman Little, acting as agent for Hoyt as Co., 
of New York, purchased the land for a small consideration, in 
L849, and the same year concluded articles of agreement with the 
Williams Bros., for the purchase of their farm, a half a mile north 
of Leon Snay'a cabin. 

The total clearing of this tract was the work of Seth and Thomas 
Wiley, with their employes and associates, including Otto H. G. 
Moores, Adouiram Dann and many others. The lands purchased 
from the Detroit Banking Co. were surveyed and platted imme- 
diately after the choppers passed over the ground. 

The original plat of East Saginaw, known as the "Hoyt Plat," 
was survejed by A. Alberti for Alfred M. Hoyt, Dec. 12, 1S50. 
The original record is as follows: 

" Plan of the city of Ea8l Saginaw, situated on the east hank of the Saginaw 
river. -aid city comprising the following described lands within its limits, viz: 
Tin' north half of the southeast fractional quarter, the northeasl fractional quarter, 
and the south half of southeast fractional quarter of sec. 13, town number 13 north, 
"f range number t east, and also the west half of northwest quarter of sec. 19 of 
town number 12 north, of range numbers east. 

Note. — Said lot- are 60 feet in width and 120 feet in length, with the excep- 
tion of such lots asare made fractional by the plank road; and the boundaries of 
Baid city as are here laid down on this map. Washington street and the plank 
road are (99) ninety-nine feet in width. All other streets are (ili feet in width. 

" In testimony whereof I have hereto sel my hand and seal, this 12th day of 
L D. I860. Alfbkd M. Hoyt, (L. S.)" 

The streets running east and west, beginning south of the 12 
river front lots, atv the northern limits, were named as follows: 
Astor, Miller, Carroll, Fitzhugh. Johnson, Plank, Tuscola, Ger- 

^(493) 



494 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

man — western continuation of Plank Road — Williams, Hayden, 
Millard, Thomson, Hoyt and Emerson. The streets running north 
and south, parallel with the river, were named, Water, Washing- 
ton, Franklin, Cass, Jefferson, Warren, Webster, Clay and Rock- 
well. 

The additions to the city since that period have been made by 
well-known citizens. Some few of them are comparatively insig- 
nificant in area, but valuable on account of the magnificent build- 
ings erected thereon. 

The Genesee plank road was built in 1850, stage coaches placed 
on the road, and a postoffice established. During the year the first 
store was opened by Alfred B. Hoyt and James Little. 

The first school building was erected on the site of Leon Snay's 
dwelling house, in 1851, and was taught by Miss Ingersoll. 
The clearance was just effected so far as the center of the block 
on Water, between Genesee and Tuscola streets, when the building 
of the Valley City Hotel was entered upon by Win. F. Glasby. 
This hotel was completed in 1851 and opened to the public with 
Adoniram Dann as host. 

The East Saginaw select school was opened by Truman B. Fox 
in 1852, and claimed on its roll 83 children. The shanty which 
formed the First Episcopal church of the city, was built near 
Emerson street the same year. 

The ferry, projected in 1851 by E. JS". Davenport, became a pay- 
ing industry in 1S52. The entire affair consisted in a primitive- 
looking scow, propelled with poles, and attended by a quaint dug- 
out to escape by in case the scow went to the bottom. The course 
of this ferry is now occupied by the abutments of the Genesee 
street bridge. 

The first birth within the village limits was that of Lyman 
Ensign, in 1850. 

The first death which occurred within the old limits of East 
Saginaw, was that of a German, drowned near the eastern bank ot 
the river. 

PIONEERS OF THE CITY. 

Among the founders of the city the following names will live 
long in its records. It is true that men came after them equally 
energetic and enterprising; but to those who entered the wilder- 
ness and prepared it for the habitations of a people, are due 
especial honors. 

Alfred M. Hoyt settled in the Valley in 1850, as the representa- 
tive of his father. James M. Hoyt. His efforts to build up the city 
of East Saginaw were crowned with success. He was the first 
postmaster at East Saginaw. In 1852 he was elected State Repre- 
sentative. Two years later, however, he disposed of his interest in 
the new city to his brother, Jesse Hoyt, and returned to New 
York. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 495 

Charles W. Grant, born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1818, settled 
in East Saginaw in lsi'.i. In 1850 lie, with A. M. Hoyt, erected 
the " Bine Mill" for the purpose of sawing plank for the road 
between Saginaw and Flint. In 1S50 he was elected the first town 
clerk of the village of East Saginaw. In 1851 he urged the neces- 
sity of building a school-house, and succeeded in having one 
erected where the Bancroft House now stands. Since his settle- 
ment he has filled many important offices, as well as being largely 
interested in the lumber business. 

William F. Glasby, born in Livingston county, N. Y., came to 
Saginaw in 1850. He was one of the principal men in building 
the three bridges which connect the two cities. He built the Val- 
ley City Hotel, which was opened as a boarding house by Adoniram 
Dann. 

Geo. Allison settled in East Saginaw in 1850. 

Frederick A. Koehler arrived in East Saginaw in June, 1850, 
and opened a blacksmith's shop. 

Otto II. G. Moores arrived in the Valley in 1819, and a year 
later was engaged in clearing the forest where the city of East 
Saginaw now stands. In 1851 he entered the office of Thomas 
Whitney, of Saginaw City, where he continued business until 1858. 
During the three following years he was bookkeeper in the office 
of D. H. Jerome, and in 1861 entered upon business for himself, 
locating in Saginaw City. 

Col. W. L. P. Little, Curtis Emerson, S. "W. Yawkey, Alexander 
English, Alexander Ferguson, John Elsffer, the Willey brothers, 
Lyman Ensign and a few other early settlers ol the city are 
noticed in other pages. 

Moses B. Hess settled at East Saginaw in 1S50. He was born 
at Verona, Oneida Co., 'N. Y., in 1825, settled in Michigan in 
1837, and moved to the Saginaws in 1850. Previous to this period 
he was postmaster and State librarian at Lansing. He was mail 
carrier between the two cities for some time, and succeeded Morgan 
L. Gage as postmaster at East Saginaw. 

EAST SAGINAW IN 1853. 

In the fall of 1853, the East Saginaw steam flouring mill was 
erected, with a capacity of 1,000 bushels per day. Many predicted 
that this mill would not continue in operation very long; but their 
prediction was wrong. It was a common thing to receive 500 
bushels of wheat daily from farmers in the Valley. The import of 
wheat from Chicago was also extensive, as is learned from the fact 
that in September, 1853, two cargoes of wheat were landed at the 
mill, each amounting to 6,000 bushels. 

The same year the steamboat " T. Whitney," built here for 
Thomas Whitney and Dr. Burns, was launched. Her measure- 
ment was 132 feet long, 21^ feet beam, with capacity for 7,000 
barrels, and accommodations for 60 passengers. Capt. M, Smith 
was placed in charge of this boat. 






496 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The planing mill, owned and operated by Hoyt & Whitney, was 
finished in September, 1853. The machinery was capable of dress- 
ing 30,000 feet of lumber per day. 

The Blackmar and the Irving hotels were opened early in the 
year, the latter by M. C. Stevens, and the former by S. C. Munson. 

The Academy, built on the site ot the Hoyt street school, con- 
tinued to be conducted by Misses Rice, Messer and Dean. The 
attendance of children at the close of the summer term, Sept. 10, 
1853, was 140. 

The Saginaw Enterprise was issued Sept. 8, 1853, by the publish- 
ers, Williamson & Mason. 

Among the business men were Norman Little, agent for the East 
Saginaw steam flouring mill, corner of Water and Carroll streets. 
A. M. Hoyt, secretary and treasurer of the Genesee Plank Road 
Company; N. Little, president, located at the corner of Water and 
Plank Road streets; Charles W. Grant, notary public, and inspec- 
tor of logs, lumber and shingles; Hoyt & Whitney, E. S. Planing 
Mill Co.; J. Hoyt, wheat buyer; Alfred M. Hoyt, dealer in real 
estate; Norman Little, agent for the Hudson River F. & M. In- 
surance Company; Burt & Hayden, dry-goods, grocery and pro- 
vision store; Hess & Brother, druggists; J. Hangsterfer, C. M. 
Curtis & Brother, hardware store; A. Ferguson, jewelry store; 
A. Ferguson, book store; Mrs. M. A. Lovewell, dressmaking 
house; Fred Cockier, blacksmith; C. Harman, R. Schacker, cabinet 
furniture shop; Garrison & Bristol, lish, salt and provision deal- 
ers; Coe Garrett, harness, saddlery and book store; A. Eaton, 
boot and shoe store; Dickson & Grant, provision dealers, opposite 
the "Blue Mill"; T. F. & S. Willey, bakers; M. L. Gage, saddle, 
harness and trunk factory ;T. B. & J. G. Fox, manufacturers of and 
dealers in furniture; W. L. P. Little, forwarding merchant; Gus- 
tave Reigel, tailor; Henry Schwartz, cabinet manufacturer; H. H. 
Lester, tailor; A. Irion, dealer in tinware and stoves; C. D. & W. 
P. Fox, grocers and provision dealers, corner of Water and Hayden 
streets; F. A. Hickcox, tin, copper and sheet-iron worker; C. B. 
Jones & Co., dealers in lumber and shingles. The professions were 
represented by N. D. Lee, M. D., of Saginaw City, and H. A. 
Rockway, John Moore, H. S. Penoyer, J. G. Sutherland, R. B. 
Hall, W. L. Webber and J. L. T. Fox. The justices of the peace 
were S. C. Munson, office over Hayden's store, on Water street; 
Seth Willey, justice and township clerk, office with W. L. Webber, 
in Gage's block. James Frazier, F. W. Baccus, A. W. Hart, James 
Watson, John Pearson, D. G. Lawrence and J. H. Richardson, 
directors of the Saginaw and Lapeer plank road, had an office at 
Lower Saginaw. 

THE FIRST FIRE. 

The destructive fire which broke out in the kitchen of the Irving 
House, on the morning of July 5, 1854, entailed upon many of 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 



4y; 



the -ettlers heavy losses. Among the men who lost directly from 
this conflagration were W. L. P. Little, $60,000, insured for $30- 
000; A. ML. Eioyt & Co., owners of the [rving House and ware- 
house adjoining, $15,000, insured for §10,000; M. C. Stevens, loss 
on hotel furniture. $5,000, insured for $3,000; and Edmunds 
a- I . »n lumber, $14,000. The other losses by this fire comprised 
Higgins, of Flint, $600; Win. Thurber, $1,000; Geo. JN. Propper, 
$400; J. Pierson, $250; 11. C. Smith, $150; J. ETangs0rfer, 
$1,500; J. Killinger, $600; Roller, $±00; F. Killinger and Reich, 
!00; Eickox and Reisler, $400 ; A. M.Terry, 
$600; .1. Lyons, $200; O. P. Burt, hoarding with his family at the 
Irving House, lost the wardrobe of his family, furniture, plate, 
I ks, etc. In a short time afterward the building of those sub- 
stantial brick stores, a few of which may be found in the city of 
to-day, began. Only two days before this fire, the first saw-mill 
erected on the river, then operated by Gardner D. Williams, wasde- 
troyed, entailing a loss of $9,000. The firm of Butts, Kendall & 
( o. lost a half million feet of lumber, valued at $6,000, by this lire. 
The tire of 1*54 destroyed the houses, mills, stores and other 
property of the settlers. In addition to the losses enumerated, 
there was burned about 3,000,000 feet of lumber. 

THE. SECOND FIRE 

resulted in the destruction of 23 buildings and other property. 
valued at $55,000; insured, in the aggregate, for $17,500. The lire 
originated in the Jeffers' block, on Water street, and when discovered, 
early on the morning of May 7, 1861, was under such headway that 
there was little hope of the ability of the new firedepartmentto check 
its progress. The names of the losers by this conflagration are as 
follow.-: 



Chester B. Jones $4,000 

William Sanborn 4,000 

John Derby 6,200 

A Schmitz 3,000 

A.ugustus Blanchard 500 

.1. K. Gooding 200 

Jeffers' Block :),000 

•peland 4,000 



M. Jeffers' machinery. 

A W. Tyler 

Fnil Koehler 

W P. Patrick 

I.. < Hover 

. Smith 

Mr- Loomis 



2,000 
2,000 
1,500 
800 
800 
300 
700 
John Bremmer 100 



Hilton & Co $2,800 

Julius Frey 600 

John Ham 2,800 

A. L. Stewart 2,500 

M. IVrrv 1,000 

E.J. Mershon 300 

J. A. Whittier 1,000 

F. A.Curtis 600 

S. 15. Bliss 400 

Enterprise Office 2,200 

Thomas Savior 800 

P. T. Hall/ 1,000 

W. L. P. Little 1,500 

M is. Si tlomon 30 J 

Harvey Joslin 100 

J. Torrey 75 



The insurance was very unequally divided. W. L. P. Little's 
buildings were the only ones fully insured; the heavy losers had 
no provision whatever made against such a fire. The population 
of East Saginaw did not flee from the twice destroyed village, but, 

30 



498 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

with a perseverance as singular as it was successful, entered upon 
the re-building of the city. This was accomplished in a brief space 
of time, new business blocks, dwellings, hotels, factories, etc., rising 
from the ashes of the burned city. 

THE THIRD GREAT FIRE 

occurred Jan. 26, 1865. The losses sustained by the people in this 
tire aggregated $125,000. 

The fire was discovered in the wholesale liquor store of E. 
Gravier, on Washington street, opposite the Oouse block, in East 
Saginaw. The flames spread with great rapidity, extending to the 
surrounding buildings, and sweeping away in their resistless course 
everything in the shape of a building, from the corner west on 
Genesee street to PI. Marks' clothing store, and north on Wash- 
ington street to Fred Koehler's brick block 

The buildings destroyed were all of wood, with the exception of 
the L-shaped block occupied by Frizelle Bros, as a wholesale and 
retail drug store, IT. It. Proctor's jewelry store, and E. Gravier's 
liquor store, fronting on both Genesee and Washington streets; 
and the greater portion of them forming the property of Milo B. 
Hess. 

Among the losers were: Frizelle Bros., drug store; E. Gra- 
vier. liquor store; the postoffice (the entire contents of which 
were saved, however, and the Detroit mail dispatched with 
accustomed regularity); news depot of D. B. Reeve 6z Co.; law 
office of D. W. C. Gage; two millinery stores; a barber shop; 
drugstore of Farrand & Duncan; another barber shop; clothing 
store of H. R. Duncan; wagon shop of M. F. Leroy; dining hall 
of John Bremner. 

The upper stories were occupied by various parties; the law 
offices of W. J. Loveland, Camp & Huse, and H. H. Hoyt, were 
in the second story of the brick building, and nearly the entire 
contents were lost. Mr. Hoyt lost an extensive library. The 
offices of P. Whipple, surgeon and dentist; Dr. Hall, and Drs. 
Ross and Osborn, the millinery store of Miss E. Nicholson, and 
the photographic gallery of H. 1ST. Eastman, were also destroyed. 

The fires since that period have been numerous and destructive; 
but as a general reference is made to them in other pages it is 
unnecessary here to follow up the list beyond the pioneer period 
of the city. Enough to say that, like a new Chicago, the city 
grew out of its ruins greater and more prosperous after each con- 
flagration. 

EAST SAGINAW IN 1858. 

Among the principal industries of the village in 1858, the first 
and most important was the flouring mills of Hoyt and Wilcox. 
That owned by Mr. Hoyt ground during that year 56,000 bushels 



, I I Y OTt I A- I ~ LGINAW. *99 

and 14,000 bushels of corn, the value of the aggregate 
{ act exceeding $80,000. The mill was supplied with tour run 
and powerful machinery; it was located at the corner ot 
lM ,i Carroll streets. . . ,, , a , 

ilcox's steam flouring mill was principally devoted to custom 
s with an annual capacity of 20,000 bushels. This concern 
I on Wat< , near the Emerson terry landing, 

arner Eastman & Co. operated an extensive foundry and 
trine shop, and Geo. W. Merrill another equally extensive shop 
,nong the blacksmiths wen- Frederick Koehler, Berdsall & 
["].• Gr dley \ B. Mershon & Co., Hosea Pratt, James 
anted planing mills; E. Feige, J. A. Large, B.Schwartz 
er I'.raden were manufacturers of lumitnre; U. M. Curtis, 
n and B. B. Buckshout were engaged in the hardware 
B.Jones, J. 8. Estabrook, B. Shaw. Robert Pierson, 
PV Woodruff, dealt in lumber, staves and shingles; O. L. 
;.,. UallA Loomis,Ward Fox, II. Marks, A. Eaton, M. L.Gage, 
Lathropand Fred N.Bridgman carried on extensive 
the drug trade was represented by Dr. J. Iv. 
,,! Hess Bros.; the grocery a.nd provision trade by Curtis 
\V P. Patrick, J. S. Webber, J. A. Whittier, Peter Biiler, 
loen J. Greener, ML Minick, Sanborn & Tucker, Brown 
[umt'ord; the dry-goods trade by Copeland & Bartow. John 
|,y Franklin Copeland, William Weekes; the millinery busi- 
by Mrs Morrison; the medical profession was well represented 
, .\. Lathrop, J. K. Penney, A. Bryce, Dr. Curtis and C. 
; the lawyers ofthe village were W. L. Webber, D. W . 
- Wheeler, J. L. T. Fox, W.J. Loveland. 
4 I 1> Little carried on an extensive banking business, as well as 
eat wholesale and retail store. The United States land office 
then in charge of W. L P. Little, receiver, and Moses B. Hess, 

-ter. 

'erryJoslin published the Saginaw Enterprise. D. A. Petti- 
e and <>.(.. [less were surveyors and tax agents at the time, 
[arvin Smith conducted a shipyard. Emerson's steam ferry 
the principal bridge to the western bank of the river; the 
_ "Traffic," "Alida," -Comet." "Coaster," "Magnet" and 
low" plied upon the river; the barques "Sunshine," "Jesse 
'Star-light" and "Quickstep" were built there, and appeared 
,edocksat intervals. These boats.together with the steam dredge 
•■>. were well known to the settlers ofthe village, and, even 
lion into a city, continued to lend an air of business to 
place. The Union Bchobl and three ward schools were in ope- 
on. Three churches existed at that time. 

['here were five fire companies, a military company, the East 
dnaw Sax Horn Band Company and the Turner Society._ 
The hotels comprised the lvirhy House, on the corner of Wash- 
ton and Genesee streets, by John Godley; the Farmers' Ex- 
l.v W. Wisner, on Genesee and Washington, opposite tha 



500 HISTORY OJF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Kirby House; the Forest City House, corner of Water * 
Genesee streets; the Franklin House, by John Leidlein, corner 
Franklin and Genesee streets; and the Buena Vista House, c 
ducted by John Jeffers, on Water street, near the ferry landing 
Previous to 1858 the name Genesee street was substituted 
Plank Road street, and the nomenclature of the original villi 
streets entirely revised. 



i 
fen 



EIGHT YEARS AFTER. 



al 






«i 



To review fully the years of progress between 1859 and 1866, 
regard to this city, would in itself be the work of months. He 
ever, by adhering to the plan of periodical notice, the advan 
made by the city can be fully shown, and comparison with the ! 
lage of 1853 be made easy. 

Beginning with the newspapers, there were the Daily JEnt 
prise and the Weekly Courier published in the city. The roll 
law representatives comprised the names of Messrs. James, Bro\ 
Button, Stnrtevant, C. H. Camp, Clark, Loveland, Gage, Lev 
Gillett-, Gamble, Henry Hoyt, Harvey Joslin, D. W. Perkins, 
H. Powers, Thompson, Flanders, W. L. Webber. Smith, Whee 
Herring, Wisner, and Dillingham — in all 23. The list of pin 
cians met with a similar increase, and comprised the names of 
C. Bennett, A. Farnsworth, D. S. Hall, F. W. Herring, B. H« 
O. L. Mason, F. Massbacher, N. Osborne, D. B. Ross, A. B. Sp 
ney, John Thompson, S. W. Turner, A. VanDusen, Charles "V 
Daniels, and M. M. Wheeler; total, 15. 

The banks were known as the First National, Merchants' t{ 
tional, Saginaw Valley, and C. K. Robinson & Co.'s. The arc 
tects and builders were C. V. Moross, I. H. McFarlin, 
McEachron, Thomas Germain, and Wm. G. Diqtz. EzraGodda 
Sears and Carey were surveyors and engineers. The list of arti 
comprised the names of Goodridge Bros., James T. Randall, i 
Wm. Roberts. The booksellers of the city were T. E. Doughty 
Co., Frey & Co., and Geo. F. Lewis. 

The lumber manufacturers and dealers' list contained the nan 
of Burt & Bros., Catlin & Sanborn, Estabrook & Mason, Jo 
Hayden, A. H. Hunter, C. B. Jones, C. C. McLane, Seth McLa 
C. N. Perry & Sons, Charles Post & Co., D. F. Rose, J. F. R 
& Co., T. P. Sears, I. E. Shaw, R. H. Weidemann, Geo. B. Wh 
man, Sam W. Yawkey, and Wm. C. Yawkey. The planing m 
of the city were operated by Gallagher, Mead & Deering, A. 
Mershon, Spencer & Newcombe. The stave dealers and mai 
facturers were Wm. Binder, C. M. Curtis, F. A. Curtis, Chaum 
Dutton,Wm. Roper, Humphrey Shaw, C. Ten Eyck, and E. 1 
Eyck. Many of the above named lumbermen operated salt-wt 
in connection with their mills. 

The hotels comprised the Bancroft House, American Hotel, Ev 
ett House, Farmers', Hibernia, Jeffers, Saginaw Valley, Sherm; 
Washington, Monitor, Bellevue and Canada. 



i 



i I IV 01 i \-l -\<.i\ uv. 501 



The flouring mills in operation were the Mayflower and Citv 

r. W. Merrill, Wicke Bros., Hill A: Morris, Ilaskins & Gridley, 
it.- the proprietors of foundries and machine shops. 

Tie principal merchants of the city were B. B. Buckhout, M. H. 5 

. ir.lt. .la-. S. De hand. ( '. II. Smith, M. G. Smith, G. II. Crouse, t 

[i. Barie, Elliot cy. Earrison, Stevens, Pool&Co., Lenheim & 

.1. T. Fan. ham. II. W.Wick lein, I. R. Livingstone, K. 3 

an, .John O'Brien, II. X. Doty, W. I. Howard. W. X. 

, v. Hugh Wallace, M. II. Gallagher, Edward Aiken, L. II. 

- I ; __• it. II. C. Silsbee, K. Luster, II. Marks. W. 

wick. Boyd & Booth, H. R. Proctor. Barnum & White, 

i Wiggins & * 'lark. » 

umerated offices and business concerns with other commer- 
I houses numbered 255 in 1 *<'>''»: increased in L876to 700 office-. 

tc. ; in IS78, to 800; and in L881 to 1,160. , 

be church buildings in L866 were St. Paul's, the Congrega- 
I al, Catholic. Methodist Episcopal, and First Baptist, 
be Masons, ^'l^ Fellows and Good Templars had each their 
-. Tin- i'oung Men's Association, County Agricultural Society . 
>red Debating Society, Neptune Boat Club and a literary so- 
re in existence, 
lie advance of the city from the date of its incorporation to 1866, 
ijfh it cannot he said to approach the progress of latter days. 
psed all the young cities of its time, Chicago alone excepted, 
men who settled here were aware of what the future promised, 
being so, determined to hasten development. ILow they sue- 
led i- hot related by the city of the present time. 

ORGANIC. 

'he incorporation of East Saginaw as a village took place in 
.">. when Xorman Little was elected president; Charles 15. Mott, 
>rder; W. I.. I'. Little, C. M. Curtis, A. II. Mershon, .1. E. 
■ rliee-. and David Lyon, trustees: 1". R. Copeland and W. F. 
sby, assessors; S. C. Beach, treasurer; and A. L. Rankin. 
rshal. From that period forward the advancement of the vil- 
was unquestioned. The members of the little municipal 
eminent exerted all their powers to raise it to that position 3 

ich they knew it was destined to occupy, and within a period of i 

year-, they -aw the growth of their infant village rewarding > 

'ii tor all the care and attention hestowed upon it. From a wild 
ip-ground of a few enterprising men in L850, it was converted 

nail hut thriving hamlet, and in L859 received a city i 

rter, when it assumed the robes of its ambition. The first city 

ernors comprised W. I.. F. Little, mayor: I). W. C. Gage, re- ' 

ler: Win. .1. Bartow, comptroller; James I'. Frown, treasurer: ' 

\. Curtis, marshal: C. F. Mott. JohnS. Estabrook, Alexander 
guson, W. F. Glasby and G, W. Wilcox, aldermen; A. L. 
iikin, citv constable; A-ahel Disbrow, Chester F>. Jones, .John 



502 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



J. Wheeler, G. J. Dorr, Yolusin Bude, S. B. Knapp, scho( 
spectors. This and the succeeding year may be termed the ( 
great improvements; enterprise was a quality of each and ( 
citizen, the salt and lumber interests claimed that high atte 
for which the oldest settler could scarcely hope, and within 
months East Saginaw was a city in every sense. The popul 
in 1860 exceeded 8,000, when, but 10 short years before, 19 
ors assembled to elect 12 of their number to the public posi 
which the township of Buena Yista offered. The companit 
liberal spirit which characterized the pioneers of East Sag 
manifests itself to-day. The wise provisions made by the mi 
pality to aid and encourage enterprise have borne good fruit. 
In the following list are given the names of the elective of 
of the village from 1855 to 1858, and of the city from 1859 t< 
present time. 

VILLAGE OF EAST SAGINAW. 

PRESIDENTS. 

Norman Little 1855 I John F. Driggs ] 

Morgan L. Gage 1856-'7 | 



RECORDERS. 

Charles B. Mott 1855-'6 I Charles B. Mott. 

William H. Beach 1857 



TREASURERS. 



Seth C. Beach 1855 I Jay S. Curtis. 

Moses B. Hess 1856-7 



TRUSTEES. 



William L. P. Little 1855 

David Lyon 1855 

Jacob E. Van Voorheis 1855 

Clark M. Curtis 1855 

Augustus Mershon 1855-'6 

William L. Webber 1856-7 

Martin Smith 1856 

William F. Glasby 1856-'8 

L. H. Eastman 1856 



Clark M. Curtis 

J. A. Layo 

William Gallahue 

Seth C. Beach 

George W. Merrill 

George A. Lothrop 

Charles T. Harris 

George W. Wilcox 

Stephen R. Kirby (to till vacancy) 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 



MAYORS. 



William L. P. Little 18." 9 

William J. Bartow i860 

Charles B. Mott 1861-'2 

William F. Glasby 1863 

James F. Brown 1864 

Samuel W. Yawkey 1865 

Dwight G. Holland 1S66 

Wellington R Burt 1867 

James L. Ketcham 1868-'9 



JohnG. Owen 181 

Leauder Simoneau 18 

Charles L. Ortman 15 

William L. Webber 18 

Herbert H. Hoyt 18 

Chauncey W. Wisner 18' 

Bradley M. Thompson 18 J 

John Welch 18 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 



503 



CONTROLLERS. 



William J. Bartow 1859 

Emil Moores 1860-'l 



Charles K. Robinson 1862 

John s. Estabrook 1863-'4 



The controllers named in the following list have been appointed 
since 1865: 



Michael Jeffers, Bern 1805 

M II. Allardt, Res 1866 

George A. Lathrop i sl >7 

C V.De Land 1868-'70 



C.Stewarl Draper, 1871 to Sept., l*T:l 

Charles V. De Land Sept., 1873-'7, 

Joe. A Bolland \8VL.'b' t 

Benry M. Newton 1875-'8 3 



RECORDERS. 



IV Win C.Gage l859-'60 

John .1. Wheeler 1861-'2 

John B. Dillingham l863-'4 

Chauncey W Wisner 18G5 

Berber! II. Boyt 1866-7 

Charles II. Camp 186S-'9 



William II. Button 1870 

Chauncey H. Gage (to till va-~ 

cancy) '^71 

George B. Brooks l8V2-'5 

Johiril. McDonald 1876-'63 



I REA8TJRERS. 



James F. Brown 1859 

mon B. Bliss 1800-'61 

James P. Brown 1862 

John Liedlein 1863-4 

Thomas P. Sheldon 1865 

William E. McEnight 1866 

Charles Doughty 1867 

Albert R. Welthoff 1868 



Gilbert It. Chandler 1869-'70 

Augustus Schupp. . . 1871 

Charles Wenks 1872-'3 

John Gallagher 1874-'5 

James Gamble 1876-'7 

Joseph B. Whittier 1878-'9 

William T. Wickware 1880-'l 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Morgan L. Gage 1859-' 

William J. Lovelaud 1859-' 

Seth Willey 1859-' 

Perry Joalin 1859-' 

Patrick Glynn 1861-' 

Bezekiah Miller 1862-" 

Benry 8. Ed get (to fill vacancy) 

Michael Jeffers. 1863-' 

Aan >n W. Eggart 1864- 

Qeorge Maurer. ... 1865- 

I) W. Perkins (to till vacanrv.i. 1*65 

Bezekiah Miller 1866- 

Lucien 11. Pox 1867- 

..< \. Flanders 1868- 

E A Si nrtevant i to fill vacancy) 1868 
John II Springer 1*69- 



Hezekiah Miller 

Smith N. Webb 

George A. Flanders 

Dueald Mclntyre 

J. McArthur (to fill vacancy) . . 

John M. Brooks 

Charles T. Martin 

Theron T. Hubbard 

Patrick Glynn 

Conrad Fey 

Wm. H. Lowry (to fill vacancy) 

Seth G. Huckins 

Nehemiah Weston (to fill va- 
cancy) 

Nehemiah Weston 



1870-7 

1871-'4 

1872-'5 

1873-'6 

1874 

1875- '8 

1876-'9 

1877-'80 

1878-'81 

1879-'82 

1879 

1880-'3 

1880-'l 
l881-'3 



ALDERMAN. 



1st Ward 
3d •• '. 
3d 



lsl Ward 

2d 

3d 



1859. 

Charles B. Motl 

lohn S. Estabrook 

Alexander Ferguson 

William P. Gla&by 

George W. Wilcox 

George W. Merrill 

1860. 

Barber Eglestou 

William B. Warner 

William II. Southwiok 

Lorenzo Leadbetter ( to till 

vacancy. ) 



1861. 

1st Ward Michael J oilers 

2d " William F. Glasby 

3d " Loton H. Eastman 

1862. 

1st Ward Anthony Schmitz 

2d " William" .1. Barton 

8d " Alonzo L. Bingham 

1863. 

1st Ward Abner D.Hunt 

2d " Adoniram Dann 

" D.Forsyth Rose (to fill va- 
cancy) 



504 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



3d Ward John Gallagher 

" " Pierre Sutton (to fill vacancy) 
1864, 

1st Ward Thomas E. Doughty 

2d " Maximilian H. Allardt 

3d « De Witt C.Gage 

1865. 

1st Ward Henry P. Collins 

" Henry Schwartz 

2d " Noah C. Richards* >u 

" William G.Dietz 

3d Charles Lauglass 

" " John Jeffers 

1866. 

1st Ward John M. Luther 

2d " Edwin Burt 

3d ," De Witt C.Gage 

1867. 

1 st. Ward Martin Smith. 

2d. " William Zimmerman. 

3d. " L.H.Eastman. 

1868. 

1st Ward Fred. W. Carlisle 

2d " Peter Ge ; sler 

" George W. Morley (to fill 
vacancy) 

3d. " John O. Owen 

" ....Alfred B. Wood (to fill 
vacancy) 

ISO!). 

1st Ward William J. Bartow 

" Fred. W. Carlisle 

2d " ..-. Seth McLean 

.Jeremiah Fisher 

3d " Andrew Leyerer 

" " William H. Stearns 

4th " Noah C Richardson 

Thomas Saylor 

5th " George W Merrill 

" Joe A. Holion 

6th " David A. Duncan 

" Herbert H. Hoyt 

1870. 

1st Ward Martin O'Brien 

2d " Jeremiah Fisher 

3d " William H.Stearns 

4th " Thomas Saylor 

5th " Eraslus T. Judd 

3th " Herbert H. Hoyt 

1871. 

1st Ward William J. Bartow 

2d " Charles H. Smith 

3d . ..Andrew Leyerer 

4th " George C. Sanborn 

5th " Amos S.Parke 

6th «« Murlin C. Osborn 

1872. 

1st Ward Sanford Keeler 

2d " Walter Fitzgerald 

3d " Daniel Forrest 

4th " Alexander Ferguson 

5th " Ferd. A. Ashley 

^*h " Roderick Eastman 



1873. 

1st Ward William J.Bartow 

2d " Charles Ten Evck 

3d " Marshal G. Smith 

4th " George B. Wiggins 

5th " John C. Valentine 

6th " Murlin C. Osborn 

1874. 

1st Ward ..Martin O'Brien 

2d " Adam Wegst 

3d " Daniel Forrest 

4th " Irving M. Smith 

5th " Ferd. A. Ashley 

6th " Royal H. Loomi's 

7th " William H. raurbrey 

8th " Hemy M. Youmans 

1875. 

1 st Ward Charles Harris 

2d " Thomas E. Doughty 

3d " Jacob Schwartz 

4th " Frank Lawrence 

5th " John C. Valentine 

6th " Robert Davidson 

7th " Henry Shorey 

8th : ' .Herman Blankerts 

1876. 

1st Ward William J. Bartow 

2d " .. .Adam Wegst 

3d " :.Leander Simoneau 

4th " Charles B. Headlev 

5th " Ferd A. Ashley 

6th " William Topping 

7th " C. DeWitt Valentine 

8th " Henry M. Youmans 

1877. 

1st Ward Charles Harris 

2d " John J. Winsor 

3d " Daniel Forrest 

4th " Benjamin B. Ross 

5th " William E. Wvlie 

6th " John Welch 

7th " Asad E.Wilson 

8th " Charles P. Hess 

1878. 

1st Ward William J. Bartow 

'2d " Adam Wegst 

3d " Leander Simoneau 

4th * Charles B. Headley 

5th " Joseph Armstrong 

6th " Daniel P. Barron 

7th " John Howard 

8th " Curtis K. Wellman 

1879. 

1st Ward Daniel W. Osborn 

2d " Egbert F. Guild 

3d " Daniel Fonv>t 

4th " Hemy S. Wilson 

5th " George T. Merrill 

6th " Frank Plumb 

7th " John H. Cook 

8th " Samuel M. Porter 



CITY 01 I Wl SAGINAW. 



505 



1880. 

1st Ward Fames B. Coverl 

2d " Christian Banning 

:',il •■ Adam W egsl 



41 h " lohn F. Winkler 

5th •• William J. Loveland 

6th " Daniel P. Barron 

Till '• Jolin Howard 

stii '■ Sanford B. Teed 



PRESENT OFFICERS- 1*81. 



Mayor lohn Welch 

Recorder robn II. .McDonald 

Ulerk Ferd. A . Ashley 

Treasurer William T. Wicfcware 

Controller Henry M. Newton 

jsor ( lharles F. Shaw 

M irshal T. Daily Mower 

Attorney Oscar F. Wisner 

Director of the Poor Exeter Lepp 

Police .Justice Conrad Fey 

AXDERMBN. 

l-i Ward George W. Goulding 

•• lame- s. ( loverl 



2d Ward Christian Henning 

" Koliert Davidson 

3d il Adam Wegsl 

" " Leander Bimoneau 

4th •• John F. Winkler 

" " John D. Ros>e 

5th " George C. Merrill 

«• " William J. Loveland 

Gth " Oliver C. Becker 

" " : •. .Daniel P. Barron 

7th " John Howard 

" " George L. Remington 

8th " .Sanford B. Teed 

" David K. Halsey 



SALARIES OF CITY OFFICIALS IN L881. 



Citj Assessor, including pay of as- 
Bistanl for a portion of the year.f 1,500 

City Attorney ■ 1,200 

City Clerk... 1,500 

Controller 1,800 

Police Justice 400 

Treasurer 2,200 

Physcian, including medicine.. Too 

Director of the Poor 600 

Btreet Commissioner 900 

Health Officer 400 



I Assistant in supply store and to 

Street Commissioner $ 600 

Bridge Tender 1,275 

Harbor Master 50 

Janitor to City Hall 180 

Telephone, night operator 600 

( ily Engineer, £4 per diem for 

time employed 900 

A--istant to City Engineer, $1.50 
for time employed. 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



Chief and Foreman of Hose Co. 
No. 1 si, ooo 



Teamsterof Hose Co. No. 1. 
Foreman of Hose Co. No.6. 



$600 

320 



In connection with this matter it may be interesting to note the 
salaries of city officers in previous years. The schedule tor the 
years named shows as follows: 



1873. 1879. 1880. 

■ !■ sl. 150 $1,200 $1,200 

Attorney 800 800 1,200 

Clerk.." 1,800 1,300 1,300 

Controller 1,200 1.250 1.500 

Treasurer 2,200 2,200 2.200 

Physician 500 500 500 

Police .Justice. 500 400 400 



Director of the 
Poor 

Street Commis- 
sioner 

Health Officer... 

Harbor Master. 



L878, 1879. 



750 
100 
500 



750 

100 

50 



1SSO 



$600 $000 $000 



?50 

200 

50 



THE (II V SCHOOL8. 



The schools of East Saginaw are well conducted. They form so 
many testimonials oi public enterprise in this direction. With a 



506 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



liberality truly surprising the people did something even foreign 
to the principles of the republic, by the establishment of the Ger- 
mania School ; and this at a time when the question of abolishing 
German classes in the Chicago schools was being agitated. 

The following statements, dealing with school statistics as well as 
with the educators of East Saginaw, are compiled simply as a his- 
torical summary. In the sketch, which concludes this portion of the 
city history, the various occurrences and persons connected with 
these schools are reviewed. 

The following tables, dealing with the city schools from 1851 to 
1881, are valuable, as they present to the reader at a glance the 
progress of the schools as well as the names of educators and direct- 
ors. The first table deals with the school census, the number of 
teachers employed, and in some instances the amount paid such 
teachers: 



Year. 



1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 
18 V7 
1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 



Census 


Tota 
Enrollme't 


No. 
Teachers 


Amount 
Teacheis 
Salaries. 


118 




2 


* 


230 




3 




298 
358 




3 

3 








630 
539 




4 
4 








646 




5 




628 




5 




725 


367 


7 


1,701 


801 


425 


5 


1,753 


851 


649 


5 


1,210 


1,089 


700 


6 


1,873 


1,565 


623 


9 


1,578 


1,536 


760 


9 


3,222 


2,067 


778 


10 


3,914 


2,236 


1,166 


19 


4,627 


2,632 


1,620 


18 


8,854 


2,456 


1,790 


20 


ll,5fc0 


2, 40 


1,966 


23 


13,220 


3,159 


2,010 


28 


14,674 


3,085 


2,574 


35 


18,130 


3,594 


2,488 


35 


18,260 


4,134 


2,798 


47 


19,912 


4,91)6 


3,086 


49 


24,795 


5,130 


3,266 


55 


28,251 


5,130 


3,159 


52 


27,347 


5,155 


3,177 


52 


26,126 


5,093 


3,088 


53 


26,790 


5,327 


3,018 


55 


26,128 


5 327 


3,249 


55 


26,875 



From what has been stated in connection with the history of the 
school buildings of the city, it is evident that the citizens have always 
taken a deep interest in educational matters. The following tables 
relative to the erection of the schools point to this fact, and prove 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 



clearlv that in the midst of a busy city commerce, the citizens ne 
forget the school: 



School. 



No. 1 District 
Wadsworth . . . 

Central 

Crary , 

Potter 

Houghton 

Emerson 

Hoyl 

Salina 

( termania. . . . . 
Biffh School.. . 



When Opened. 



May, 
January, 



Nov., 

April, 
Sept., 

January, 



Location. 



1852 Jefferson, between 'Hoyt and Emerson. 
1858 German Colony Iload, near Genesee street. 



I860 
1868 
1870 

1872 

1873 

1881 



German street, between Clay and Rockwell. 
Carroll street, between Webster and Warren. 
Norman street, between Fifth and Sixth. 
Johnson street, between Ninth and Tenth. 
Maria street, between Mott and Emily. 
Jefferson street, between Hoyt and Emerson. 
Mackinaw street. 
Tuscola street, between Third and Fourth. 



The names of the school buildings, location, etc., now in ope 
tion, are given in the following table: 



2| 

E 

- % 

z z 



Location. 





o 


tz| 




71 


c 


w 


- 


o 




p 


"3 


s 


6, 


CO 


o 


- 






a 


B 




= 


Co 




00 




Wood 


4 


236 


Brick 


4 


264 


Wood 


4 222 


Brick 


6 462 


Brick 


7 510 


Brick 


2 118 


Brick 


6 


325 


Brick 


4 


211 


Wood 


1 


40 


Brick 


4 


227 


Wood 


4 


:J04 


Brick 







6 

40 

7 

07 



12 



Potter 

Crary 

Houghton. . . 
Oennania.... 

( Vntral 

Jones 

Hoyt 

Emerson 

Wadsworth . 

Sweet 

Salina . . 
High School 



1st . 
2d . 
3d. 
3d. 
3d. 
4th. 
5th. 
6th. 
6th. 
7th. 
8th. 



Corner of Fifth and Warren streets 

Corner of Carroll and W r ebster streets. . . . 
Johnson, bet. Eighth and Ninth streets. . 

Corner of Third and Tuscola streets 

German, bet. Clay and Rockwell streets. . 
Cherry, between Ninth and Tenth streets 
Bet. Hoyt, Emerson, Jefferson and Cass sts. 

Between Merrill and Mott streets 

German Colony Road, near Genesee 



Mackinaw street. 



PRINCIPAL TEACHERS. 



C. T. Disbrow 1850 

Mai v A. Rice 1852 

I.O. Selden 1853 

I . C. Warner.. 1854 

R. II. Steel 1855 

A. L.Bingham 1856 

P s. Beisrodt 1860 

W .1. Lusk 1S00 

I). B. Sui'-gis 1SH0 

O.J. Myers 18'H 

1 If. Ballon 1805 

E. M. Mason 18,5 



Wm. S. Tennant 

I. Estabrook, Supt 

L.C.Hall, Principal 

A. L. Cumminffs, Principal. . . . 

I. P. Vroman, Priocipal 

H. S. Tarbell, Supt 

MiF8 E. J. Clark, Principal 

O. D. Thompson, Principal 

Prof. Owens, Principal 

C. T.Beatty 

Joseph C. Jones, Supt 1877 



506 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



liberality truly surprising the people did something even foreign 
to the principles of the republic, by the establishment of the Ger- 
mania School ; and this at a time when the question of abolishing 
German classes in the Chicago schools was being agitated. 

The following statements, dealing with school statistics as well as 
with the educators of East Saginaw, are compiled simply as a his- 
torical summary. In the sketch, which concludes this portion of the 
city history, the various occurrences and persons connected with 
these schools are reviewed. 

The following tables, dealing with the city schools from 1851 to 
1881, are valuable, as they present to the reader at a glance the 
progress of the schools as well as the names of educators and direct- 
ors. The first table deals with the school census, the number of 
teachers employed, and in some instances the amount paid such 
teachers: 



Year. 



1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 
18 Y7 
1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 



Census 


Tota 
Eurolluie't 


No. 
Teachers 


Amount 
Teachei s 
Salaries. 


118 




2 


* 


230 




3 




298 
358 
630 
539 




3 
3 
4 
4 
















646 




5 




628 




5 




725 


367 


7 


1,701 


801 


425 


5 


1,753 


851 


649 


5 


1,210 


1,089 


700 


6 


1,873 


1,565 


623 


9 


1,578 


1,536 


760 


9 


3,222 


2,067 


778 


10 


3,914 


2,236 


1,166 


19 


4,627 


2,632 


1,620 


18 


8,854 


2,456 


1,790 


20 


ll.ofcO 


2, 40 


1,966 


23 


13,220 


3,159 


2,010 


28 


14,674 


3,085 


2,574 


35 


18,130 


3,594 


2,488 


35 


18,260 


4,134 


2,798 


47 


19,912 


4,91(6 


3,086 


49 


24,795 


5,130 


3,266 


55 


28,251 


5,130 


3,159 


52 


27,347 


5,155 


3,177 


52 


26,126 


5,093 


3,088 


53 


26,790 


5,327 


3,018 


55 


26,128 


5 327 


3,249 


55 


26,875 



From what has been stated in connection with the history of the 
school buildings of the city, itis evident that the citizens have always 
taken a deep interest in educational matters. The following tables 
relative to the erection of the schools point to this fact, and prove 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 



clearly that in the midst of a busy city commerce, 
forget the school: 



the citizens ne 



School. When Opened. 




Location. 



No. 1 District. 

Wadsworth 

Central. 

( rury 

Potter. 

Houghton 

Emerson. 

Hoyt 

Salina.. 

Germania 8ept., 

High School.. . January 



1852 Jefferson, between Hoyt and Emerson. 
1858 German Colony Road, near Genesee street 
"" German street, between Clay and Rockwell. 

Carroll street, between Webster and Warren. 

Norman street, between Fifth and ^\ 

Johnson street, between Ninth and lenth. 

Maria street, between Mott and Emily. 

Jefferson street, between Hoyt and Emerson. 

Mackinaw street. 

Tuscola street, between Third and Fourth. 



The names of the school buildings, location, etc.. now in op 
tion, are given in the following table: 




Potter 

Crary 

Houghton. . 
Germania. . 

Central 

Jones 

Hoyt 

Emerson. . . 
Wadsworth 

Sweet 

Salina . . 
Hiirli School 



1st . 

3d 

3d. 

3d 

3d 

4th 

5th 

6th 

6th 

7th 

8th 



Corner of Fifth and Warren streets 

Corner of Carroll and Webster streets. . . 
Johnson, bet. Eishth and Ninth streets. 

Corner of Third 'and Tuscola streets 

German, bet. Clay and Rockwell streets. 
Cherry, between Ninth and Tenth streets 
Bet. Hoyt, Emerson, Jefferson and Cass sts. 

Between Merrill and Mott streets 

German Colony Road, near Genesee 



Mackinaw street. 



Wood 
Brick 
Wood 
Brick 
Brick 
Brick 
Brick 
Brick 
Wood 
Brick 
Wood 
Brick 



236 $ 6. 
264 25 
222 



6 
25 

40 



462 

510 
118 
325 
211 
40 
227 12 
304 8 



37 

U 



PRINCIPAL TEACHERS. 



C. T. Disbrow 1850 

Mary A. Rice 1852 

LO.Selden 1853 

I. C Warner.. 1854 

I! 11. Steel 1855 

A. L.Bingham 1 S; > ,; 

P. S Heisrodt I860 

\Y .1. Lusk I860 

D.B. suc-gis ISfiO 

C.J.Myers. I8 r »l 

1. M. Ballou l sr "' 

i; M. Mason l*" J 



Wm. S. Tennant 

I. Estabrook, Supt 

L. C. Hall, Principal 

A. L- Cummings, Principal 

I. P. Vroman, Priocipal ' 

H. S. Tarbell, Supt 

Mbs E. J. Clark, Principal 

O. I). Thompson, Principal 

Prof. Owens, Principal 

C. T. Beatty •• 

Joseph C. Jones, Supt 187 



»8 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



TEACHERS FROM 1S59 TO 1877 



The following is the list of teachers employed in the public 
hools of East Saginaw, with the dates of their services: 



L. Bingham 1859 

iss A. M. Burt 1859 

iss Mattie Merrill '. 1859 

iss Harriet Weller 1859-'61 

rs. C. E. Stearns 1859-73 

iss M. E. Gillett 1859-'66 

iss Wilson 1859 

iss M. Barbour 1859-'60 

iss Amanda Woodruff 1859 

rs. H. T. Ferris 1860-'l 

iss Penny 1860 

ber AYoodruff .1860 

iss Elizabeth Woodruff 1860-'3 

is A. E. Dodge 1860-'l 

ss Wellington 1860 

8. Heisrodt, 3 mos 1860 

illiam J. Lusk 1860 

B. Sturgis, Apr 1860 

J. Meyers, Apr 1861 

s. M. H. M yers 186l-'5 

ss Mary A. Bice 1861-4 

ss McCane 1861 

ss Sarah McKnight 1862-'4 

ss M. M . Hough 1863-'o 

ss Louise Johuson 1863-77 

■s. Emma Obenauer l864-'75 

ss Rose McEachron (Le Roy)1864 

ss M. L. Brophy 1864 

ss Ida Woodruff 1864-' 76 

ssT. E. Ingledew 1864-'67 

ss L. E. Ashmun (Piper) 1864-'77 

*s J . A. Sanborn 1864 

ssPrall 1864 

ss ( '. A. Ashmun (Piper) 1864-'75 

ss Eliza Burt 1865-'7 

ss M. Lathrop 1865 

ncs M. Ballou,2 mos 186") 

M. Mason, Apr 1865-'6 

BS L. A. Hayden 18 6 

5S M. E. Skillen 1866-' 71 

s. R. L. De Land 1866-'77 

S.Teunant 186(5 

ss Emma E. Hatliaway 1866-'70 

Estabro->k 1866-'7l 

ss Isabella Martin l866-'8 

ss M. Graham 1866-' 7 

ss A. M. Johnson 1866-'7 

ss M. Barbour 1866 

3s E. Denton 1866-' 7 

ss M. L. De Land 1866-'7 

aisHall 1866' -7 

L. Gibson 1866-'72 

3.V. Wheat 1867-'8 

L. Oummings 1867 

ss Jennie Duncan 1867 

3sC. A. Stone 1867-'9 

38 S. Buchner 1867-'8 

ss N. A. Blood • • • • . 1867-70 



Miss H. McNamara 1867-74 

J. P. Vroman 1868-'71 

MissS. M. Miller 1838-71 

Miss Erline Passage 1868 

Miss Emma Plsher 1868-'7q 

Miss Ida Plessner 1868-'70 

Miss L. O. Wilson 1868-'9 

Miss L. Van Doran 1868 

Miss M. Barton 1868 

Miss Mary Woodruff 1868-'75 

Miss Helen Plumb ..1868-72 

Miss Floia E. Wood 1868-'70 

Miss C. Westbrook 186^- , !> 

Miss Sarah Ten Eyck 1868-'70 

Mrs. H. O'Donnell 1868 

Miss Mario u Hathaway 1869-'74 

Miss Emma L. Bower 1869-70 

Miss Lillie Wight 1869-'?:; 

Miss E. Joe Clark 1867-'72 

Miss Nellie Fuller 1870-' 1 

Miss Anna Buckner 1870-'7 

Miss Rosalie Stearns 1870-'3 

Mrs. J. Hays 1870 

Mrs. Rose Le Roy 1870-'* 

Miss Sarah E. Clayton 1870-'2 

Miss Marion E. Goldie 1870-'7 

Miss A. L. Davis 1870-'5. 

Miss M. L. Spalding 1870-'4 

Miss E. Wilcox 1870'3 

L. Fetzu- 187<»-'4 

Constantine Watz 1870 

S. M. Webb 1870 

Philip Keinath 1870-7 

Miss S. E. Wood 1870 

Mrs. C. A. Mann 1870-'2 

Mi-s A. J.Scoville 1871 

Mrs. J. D. McKenney 1871-';! 

Miss Ara Avery 1871 

Miss H. F. Coldie 1*71-7 

Mrs. E. M. Cleland 1871-'5 

Miss Ardie Merrill ' 1871-'3 

Miss L. Y. Palmer 1871-7 

Miss A. Frank 1871-7 

Miss P. Talbot 1871-'6 

Miss J. Caughell 1871-7 

Horace S. Tarbell 1871-7 

O. D. Thompson 1872 '6 

Miss A. S. Brooks 1872-7 

Miss Camilla Richardson 1872-'5 

Miss Idella Avery 1872 

Miss P. A. Vinton 1872-'5 

Miss A. E. Wight 1872-'5 

MissR, Alice Wells 1872-'5 

Miss Helen Christ 1872-7 

Miss Hattie Martin 1872-7 

Miss Maggie Merrill 1872-7 

Miss Emm i Final 1872-7 

Miss Eva De Land l872-'5 



CITY OF EA8T SAKINAW. 



5( 



Miss Sarab Humphrey 1872-"? 

.Mrs. E. McGregor. l872-'4 

\| as \ gnea Sinclair is;:;"; 

Misa I.. J. Quack nbush 1873-'7 

Misa \nnie S. Peck l873-'4 

Miss M Williams L873-'6 

Misa Eva Williams 1873-'6 

Mi-s i;. E. Selleck 1873-"J 

Miss M Hyland 1873-'5 

Miss J. M. Campbell l873-'7 

Miss Alice (lark 1873-'4 

A liable 1874 and 1877 

Miss Ma P. Midler 1873-'6 

Miss Lizzie Richardson 1873-'7 

Misa P. J.Green 1873-'7 

Mi-s B. Stanard 1873-'7 

Miss .!. Tisdale 1*73 

M iss Mary A. Shattuck l873-'6 

Miss Anna E, Alexander 1874 '7 

Miss L. P. Patton is; U'g 

Miss Lulu E. Avery 1874-'7 

Miss .Jessie Loomis 1874-'7 

Mi-s [della Allen !874-'5 

Miss Helen Kollmargen 1*74 

Miss R. .1. Davison.'; 1874-'7 

Misa A Ziegner 1*74 

Miss Marv A. Abel 1874-'7 



Miss Lizzie Gage 1874 

Miss Lizzie Richardson 1 Q 74-' 

Miss Anna M. Chandler 1874 

Mrs. Frank Leroy 1874-" 

Miss Lillie Talbot 1874-' 

Mrs. Helen Child 1S75 

Miss Eva English 1875-" 

Miss Clara Alberti 1875-' 

Miss Linda Final 1S7.V 

Miss Nellie Caughell 1875-'.' 

Miss Klsie Forbes 1876 

Miss Theresa E. Jones 1*77 

Miss Clara E. Sellick 187q-' 

Miss Fannie M. Derby 1876-' 

Miss Hattie Moore 1876-' 

Miss Annie Burgermeister l876-'-'i 

Miss Emma Reimschneider. ... 1 876 '1 

Miss Pauline Pranae 1876-'' 

Miss Mary Hook. 1876-' 

Miss Emma Weaver 1876- 

Miss Josephine Miller 1876-'' 

Miss Clara Humphrey 1876-'' 

Miss Bettie Neimstedt is7(i-' 

Oliver G. Owen 1876-' 

I. S. Townsend 1873-' 

W. L. Smith 1874-" 



OFFICKU- OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 1, TP. OF BUEXA VISTA. 



1851. 

I. T. Calkins Moderator 

II. B. Hubbard Moderator 

1 ). W Norton Director 

I.E. Voorhees Director 

1852. 

II. B. Hubbard Moderator 

M. L. Gage Director 

1853. 

il. 15. Hubbard Moderator 

W'm. L Webber Director 

1854. 

Morgan L. Gage Moderator 

L. 11. Eastman -Moderator 



( 



Wm. L. Webber Direct 

1855. 

R. C. Newton Moderate 

D. W. C. Gage Directoj 

1856. 

Chester B Jones Moderate 1 

"W. H. Warner Moderate 

D. W. C. Gage Directc 

1857. 

Henry Woodruff Moderate 

Charles I. Disbrowe Directo 

1858. 

J. S.Curtis Moderate 

Geo. W. Merrill Directo 



BOARD OF EDUCATION, 1859-'81. 



A. T. Disbrowe 1859 

Chester B. Jones 1859-'71 

John J. Wheeler 1859,'64-'5 

G.J. Dorr 1859 

8 B. Knapp l859-'65 

Volusin Bude 1S.")9-'G4 

Harvey Joslin i860 

J. W. Thorn- i860 

Geo. W. Morris I860 

Geo, Waldron i860 

Geo. W. Merrill 1860-'8 

A.G. Bissell lSGl-^ 



Wm. K Little 1861 

C. K. Kobinson 1861-'2 

I. Erd 186P-2 

F. A. Kochler 1862-'3 

P. Glynn 1862 

Michael Jeffers I860 

Charles Garrison 186o"-'8 

W. G. Dietz 1863 

Chauncev H. Gage 1863 

H. S. Collins 1864 

Geo. C. Warner l864-'70 

N. C.Richardson 1864 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



». W. Miller 1864 

i Watz 1865 

I. Eastman I860 

j. C. Sanborn ] 865 

Inn Burl 1866-7 

win Aiken 1866 

fcaas M. James 1866 

W. Perkins .1866 

is. Morley 1866 

I Estabrook 1867-'8 

lp. Passage 1867 

fader Simoneau 1868-'9 

fc-les E. Doughty 1868-'71 

P. Brewer 1868 

iK. Jewett 1869 

I. Valentine 1869-70 



Chas. Ten Eyck 1869-70 

Isaac Delano 1869-70 

L.M.Scott 1869-70 

Geo. B Brooks 1869-70 

J. H.Leavenworth 1869-70 

Wm. A. Lewis 1869-70 

Charles Harris 1870-71 

Geo. W.Morley 1870-71 

James Gleeson 1870-71 

Geo. G.Cook 1870-71 

Wm.H. Coats 1870-71 

E. Anneke 1870-71 

C. Beierle 1870-71 

A. Eymer 1871 

Geo. T. Butler. . ., <^ c 1871 

A. L. Ingham 1871 



1872. 

I.W. Morley, President. 
I 1. Harris," 
j H. Coats, 

kJeierle, 
>. P. Butler, 

fe. Jones, 

Anneke. 

{hard Wren, 

ml. Newton, 

kfickodemus, 
•lp. Ripley. 

Ipridlender. 

1873. 
s 3Ster B.Jones, President. 
p. Mershon, 
Vnard Hesse, 
jliard Wren, 
P. Mason, 
V. Kipley, 
|M. S. Vincent, 
§M. Youmans. 
'A. Harris, 
,M. Newton, 
Nickodtmus, 
; W. Morley, 
5 W. Ellis, 
5 B. Terry, 
fcambrey, 
-A. Fridiender. 
I 1874. 

lister B. Jones, President. 
W.Ellis, 
pl. Youmans, 
- Weston, 
■P. Mason, 
•Hesse, 
E. Mershon, 
arles Harris, 
chard Wren, 
M. Newton, 
hn Nerreter, 
o. W. Morley, 
A. Fridiender, 
iron Linton, 



I A. G. Anderson. 

C. C. Martindale. 

1875. 
H.M. Youmans, President. 
Geo. C. Cook, 
J.J. Wheeler, 

B. Hesse, 

N. H. Claflin, 
Aaron Linton, 
Geo. W. Morley, 
John Nerreter, 

D. Forsyth Rose, 
M. J. Bird, 
Thomas AY. Davis, 

C. ( '. Martindale, 
A. G. Anderson, 

C. A. Fridiender, 
Ricaard Wren, 
H. M. Newton. 

1876. 

H.M. Youmans, President. 

Edmund Hartegan, 

A. G. Anderson, 

B. Hesse, 

E. S. Catlin, 
H. M. Newton, 
Fred Opperman, 
Thomas B. Spencer, 
J. L. Covert, 

D. F. Rose, 
Aaron Linton, 
John Nerreter, 
T. W. Davis, 

C. A. Holmes, 
Isaac Delano. 
W.H.Lowry. 

1877. 

Same board in control. 

1878. 

A. G. Anderson, President. 

E. Wilber, 

H. M. Newton, 

B. Hesse. 



Porter, 

T. AY. Davis, 
I. Delano, 
J. L. Covert, 

E. S. Catlin, 
< >sborn. 

C. A. Holmes, 
J. Nerreter, 

F. Opperman, 
A. Linton, 

T. B. Spencer, 

D. F. Rose. 

1879. 

Edwin Saunders,President 

Brooks, 

AY. De Groat, 

J. Nerreter, 

D. F. Rose, 
J. H. Conklin, 
N. Merriam, 
L. C. Storrs. 

G. P. Butler, 

G. N. Hauptman, 

A. C. Robinson, 

E. Wilber, 

B. Hesse, 

G. L. RemiDgton, 
O. J. Sawyer, 
Osborn. 

1880. 

Edwin Saunders,President 

M. AY. Madigan, 

Geo. S. Gould, 

O. J. Hetherington, 

Albert D. Camp, 

D. F. Rose, 
W. De Groat. 
Geo. P. Butler, 
R. B. McKnight, 
Edwin Saunders, 

E. Feige, 

J. C. Humphrey, 
L. C. Storrs, 
G. N. Hauptman 
G. L. Remington, 
J. H. Conklin. 



CITY "!■ F. \SI S VOIXAW. 



511 



Bl. W. Madigan, 
Q \ Bauptman, 
R B McKnieht, 
Thos, B. Borden, 



Geo. s. Gould, 
James N. Conklin, 
Edwin Saunders, 
Ben l\ 8eely, 

< ). .1. lit theringto n, 
Harlan I*. Smith, 



Ernest Fei^e, 
William Maier, 
A. D. Camp, 
Chas. Williams, 
Richard Clark, 
.1. V. Russell. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

The following sketch, prepared by a lady teacher, and presented 
to the school hoard, is quoted in full: 

There is a little engraving representing East Saginaw in 1S49 
occasionally found adorning the residences of our townsmen. A 
few neat little houses, or rather shanties, scattered along the river 
— hack of them dense woods; such was East Saginaw l ; 4 years ago. 
But we may he sure that the little shanty town had even then a 
school, for the early settlers were people accustomed to i»ive those 
under their charge educational advantages, who felt it would never 
do to have the children out of school. Among the earliest remi- 
niscences of our city we find a private school, kept by Mr. Tru- 
man Fox. in a shanty on the place where the Bancroft House now 
stands. There were only private schools during the first years of 
the settlement, huta little later we find that Morgan L. Gage, school 
director of district number one, Buena Vista township, engaged Dr. 
Disbrow to teach the first district school. This was taught in the 
building on the corner of Washington and Emerson streets, the 
upper room of which served as school-room, the teacher residing 
below. The same building is standing yet, hut the pretty Gothic 
cottage known as Mr. McCormick's residence is probably not much 
like the original phmk house which may have been minus verandas 
and additions. 

School district No. 1, of the township of Buena Vista, was 
organized March 10, 1851. There had been a district organization, 
including the sections of land on which the city now stands, before 
this date, but the growing village was at that time, with some out- 
lying territory, constituted a district by itself. The first meeting 
of the voters of the new district was held March 15, 1S51. At this 
meeting it was voted to raise $2,000 to build a school-house and 
$20 for globes and apparatus. Truly, a liberal and wise movement 
on the part of the young district. The plan of the school-house 
was presented by J. E. Voorhies, which was accepted, with the 
proviso that it cost no more than $2,000. 

At the next meeting of the inhabitants of school district No. 1, it 
wa- ascertained that at the lowest estimate the cost of said house 
would amount to $2,600. Norman Little, Esq., proposed to the 
meeting to build the house as specified for $12, 500, and take in pay- 
ment the tax therefor authorized when collected, and a mortgage on 
the house for 8500, payable in five years. This generous, public- 
spirited proposition was, as one would suppose, unanimously 
accepted. Miss Rice, the first teacher in the new building, said: 
" It was the largest and best at that time in Northern Michigan." 



512 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Most of onr readers remember the old Academy in its original 
form. For the benefit of th >se who came here too late to see our 
ancient land-mark, we will bay that it was a commodious, square 
building, resting on a stone foundation, containing below two large 
rooms, one on each side of a large hall, and up stairs one very large 
room, or hall, with recitation-room and wardrobe. It was finished 
in 1852. A male teacher from the East had, been engaged to Leach 
the school, and Miss Mary Rice (then teaching in Saginaw' City) 
had been hired as assistant, at a salary of $7.00 per week, but when 
the principal failed to come, she stepped briskly into his shoes 
without change of salary. Speaking of the experiences of this past 
year, Miss Rice said but very recently: " I could see the beautiful 
new school-house from my room at the Webster House, in Saginaw 
City. Looking over toward it, the morning I was to commence 
my work there, and remembering that, instead of the comparatively 
easy work of an assistant, I was to fulfill the more arduous task of 
the Principal, I felt over-awed and timid. I never can do it. I 
was beginning to sigh, when courage came back, saying: ' Yes, you 
can.' So I went over resolved to be equal to my work, and to give 
myself entirely to it. The first day I was alone with a house full 
of pupils, large and small, untaught and advanced, all sorts and all 
sizes. At my suggestion, Mr. M. L. Gage secured the services of 
Miss Charlotte Messer (Mrs. Norman L. Miller, Saginaw City), 
who was then teaching a private school. After classifying our 
scholars so that she had about 60 juniors, I was still left with as 
many as the upper room would seat. So Miss Clara Dean, of Pine 
Run, was engaged as my assistant. Every boat landing at the 
wharf brought them new comers; they poured in daily, and of 
children there was a fair share. Miss Miser's room was soon 
crowded to the utmost, and Miss Nelly Little (Mrs. Derby) was 
called to assist her. Our salaries were moderate (ranging from $1 
to $7 per week), and were paid monthly." 

Miss Rice speaks with enthusiasm of this year of her teaching 
in East Saginaw, of the remarkably good behavior of the scholars, 
and the good will and interest for teachers and school evinced by 
parents and the public in general. "We had company almost 
every da} 7 , she said, ''and it encouraged and stimulated us 
greatly. We are sorry to say that teachers of the present day are 
not as much blessed with visitors. It was not always easy to get 
to the school-house. Jefferson street, toward the south, was 
marked by a line of stumps; west was the bayou, and east and 
south dense woods. Such splendid woods! full of mosquitoes they 
were, too. These came in clouds; if not thick enough to darken 
the air, thick enough to oblige us to build l smudges' in day-time. 
We had a floating bridge over the bayou. Often when we (Miss 
Messer and I) got on, our affectionate scholars would throng 
around us, and the bridge would sink two, three and six inches in 
water, so that we often taught all day with damp feet. But we 
were young, strong and happy, and neither feared nor minded a 



« I IV OF EAST SAGINAW. 515 

cold mnch. It seems the teachers had to contend for some time 
with similar difficulties in reaching the school-house, for the 
report of the proceedings of the Common Council of -lime 1, 1857, 
published in the Saginaw Week/;/ Enterprise of June 5, 1857, men- 
tions a petition of Sarah Beeman andMrs. 0. IStearns, praying that 
thu road leading to the Academy from Washington street be 
repaired, bo that teachers and scholars might he able to attend to 
their duties without wading ankle-deep in mud and water. In 
subsequent reports, published in the same paper, we find that Geo. 
\V. Men-ill, at three different times, moved to repair said road, 
which motion was always unanimously adopted and referred to the 
committee on streets, with power to act at once. 

"At the end of this pleasant school year there was held an 
exhibition and picnic. It was uot very easy to fetch such things 
to the school-house as seemed necessary for the occasion. Mr. 
-lames L Webber, however, undertook to draw the lumber, and to 
construct the seats for the visitors in the grove near the school- 
house. Let not the reader of l s 7-"> undertake such an effort made 
20 years ago. There was but one place of crossing the bayou 
with team-, which was at the bridge on what is now called Gen- 
street, [n stead of driving due south as he could do to-day, 
Mr. W. had to drive north and east and west and south, wherever 
he could find terra firma for his team and a passage through 
brush and stumps. However, he succeeded, for the exhibition 
came off in style. According to the report in the paper, and the 
• traditions' existing, there were refreshments and speeches, vary- 
ing with declamations and music. There was an essay read by 
Chauncey Gage, then a scholar in the upper department, which 
received a highly commendatory notice, and the exercises were 
closed with an address delivered by Mr. W. L. Webber, who had 
a short time before become a resident of this place." 

The Weekly Enterprise of Sept. 21, 1853, contains a communi- 
cation signed ••William L. Webber, Director," announcing the 
opening of the school year under the superintendency of Mr. J. 
< >. Sheldon. Principal, who was assisted by Misses Emeline and 
Clara Dean. The school attendance of the year 1853 was 200. 
The school was kept seven months (according to the report on file 
for 1853), and the whole amount paid to teachers was s4S<). Be- 
sides the common English branches, the report mentions philoso- 

ophy, physiology, botany, algebra, 1 kkeeping and vocal music 

as subjects taught in the school. The next principal was Mr. 
Warner, who, according to trustworthy information, won the 
affection and esteem of the school in a very short time. Miss Rice 
taught with him. We have no certainty on the point, but good 
reason to believe that Miss M. Gillett first taught in the same year. 
We -hall hereafter have occasion to -peak of this faithful and 
efficient worker in the schools. Mi'. Warner was a graduate of 
Vale, and eminently qualified for his position. His health seems 
to have been feeble before he came. He died before the close of 
the year, ami was succeeded by Dr. R. H. Steel. This gentleman 



516 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

stayed but a short time. According to an official report, his con- 
tract was annulled at a school meeting held Nov. 30, 1855. 

Under the heading "Union School," the Enterprise of Dec. 21, 
1855, brings a short local stating that " the new teacher, Mr. 
Bino-ham. engaged to teach our school, has arrived, and will take 
charge of the school to-day." A little later, January, 1856, we 
readin the same paper: "We are informed that the Union school 
of our village is now in successful operation. The new principal, 
Mr. Bingham, gives general satisfaction." And take still February 
8, there is a communication signed "Citizen," which speaks in 
high terms of Mr. Bingham's work and success, the improved dis- 
cipline of the school, etc. Miss Rice is mentioned in the same 
paper as teacher of the intermediate, and Mrs. C. S. Stearns as 
having charge of the primary department. Miss Ingersoll was 
then assistant in the upper department. This lady could have 
stayed but a short time, for in the same year Miss S. Beeman is 
named as Mr. Bingham's assistant. During or at the end of this 
year Miss Rice left, and was succeeded by Miss Weller. Miss R. 
went to the Normal school, where she graduated a short time before 
her return to our schools in 1S61. 

At the close of the winter term of this year, there seems to have 
been a thorough examination of the schools, to which the public 
were invited by a communication signed by Mr. Bingham. The 
schools in those days seemed to have engaged a fair share of atten- 
tion of the public. The Union school is mentioned as having 
formed part of a procession at the Fourth of July celebration, 1857. 
As to apparatus and books, however, we are at present better off 
than the schools were in 1857, judging from the fact that a school 
meeting was appointed on the 28th of September for the purpose 
of voting a tax in order to procure a Webster's Dictionary. 

At a school meeting held Oct. 2, 1S57, the following officers were 
elected: Dr. C. T. Disbrow, Director; Henry Woodruff, Moder- 
ator; Robert Pierson, Assessor; C. O. Garrison, Trustee, Norman 
Little and Alanson Griffin holding over. The number of scholars 
was given in the census of 1857 as 646. An appropriation of $100 
for building a school-house, ten rods from the plank road, near 
Mr. Wadsworth's corner, was also used at this meeting. About 
this time the First ward school-house, on the site of the present 
■" Crary," had been built, and in the early clays this was called 
rather a hard school. Miss Gillett, Miss Kimberly. Miss Weller, 
Miss Rose McEachron, Miss Prall, and Miss Ashman taught there 
successively and successfully until we saw it disappearing to give 
place to the present elegant and commodious structure. 

Mr. Bingham taught through the year 1858. With him the 
report mentions four female teachers (Miss Beeman, Miss Weller, 
Mrs. Stearns and Miss Woodruff). The next important event was 
,Mr. Bingham's resignation, tendered Oct. 24, 1859. 

Mr. lleisrodt, who had been his assistant during the year, was 
elected to finish the term. In connection with this gentleman we 



CITY OF E Wl SAGINAW. 517 

read of an action of the board allowing him his salary tat the rate 
of $330 a year) during the time of his protracted illness. He was 
elected princinaL/or the rest of the year at a salary of $700, Mr. 
Lnsk teaching as assistant. There seems to have been changeful, 
if not stormy, times after the long calm and <juietof the preceding 
four years, for Mr. Heisrodt also stayed only one term, leaving his 
place to be filled by his assistant. 

The tall term of l v ''>" began with Mr. Sturgis as principal, Mrs. 
Ferris as assistant, Misses Weller, Wood and Penny tilling the 
other places. Mr. Sturgistried the experiment of " moral suasion " 
with the usual success; i. »., he left at the end of the year. The 
Board of Education (organized Feb. 14-. L859) discouraged by the 
illsuccess of so many principals, and perhaps influenced by want 
of means, discontinued the schools for the remainder of the year. 
allowing the use bi the school-house to Misses Woodrufl and Gil- 
let t. for the purpose of keeping private schools. 

The tall term of (.861 began with Mr. Meyers, principal, Miss 
as assistant; Miss Giltett, teacher of the intermediate depart- 
ment. After several changes, Mrs'. Meyers, wife of the principal, 
took charge of the primary department at the academy. Mr. 
Meyers is still remembered by many of our citizens as a gentle- 
man of high culture and pleasing manners, who taught the school 
with success until the end of the spring term in L865. Miss Rice 
was -imply ••coining home;" she remained here, a highly popular 
teacher, until the beginning of the spring term of L864, when she 
left to take a position at the Normal school, Mrs. Obenauer finish- 
ing her year. Under Mr. Meyers the Go-man was first taught as 
a branch of study in the public schools. The teacher of the inter- 
mediate department, Miss M. Gillett (Mrs. Nelson, of Manistee), 
had by this time achieved a most enviable reputation as a teacher. 
Her usefulness and influence were greater than that of most teachers. 
Her efficient labors will long be remembered by her pupils and 
their parents. She resigned her position near the close of the year 
1865, almost exhausted with her constant toil. 

The Board of Education had by this time purchased the site where 
the Central school now stands. The school-house on this place 
was a large, barn-like, unpainted house, containing two large, 
poorly furnished rooms. It was known as the " Old Tin-shop " 
school-house, having in its better days been a tin-shop. Miss L. 
•loh n -on and Miss Sarah McKnighton have taught there since 1862. 
The scholars of theGerman Lutheran school, which was kept in a 
small building opposite, assumed a belligerent attitude, and many 
were the battles fought between the scholar- of both schools. Be- 
sides the German Lutheran school, there was another German 
school taught by several teachers; private schools in general be- 
gan to multiply, owing to the insufficient accommodations in the 
public schools, and perhaps to the fact that, on this account, pri- 
vate teaching offered greater inducements to teachers than the 
then very small salaries paid to female teachers in the public 
schools. By degrees these things changed. Large, spacious 



518 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

school-houses were built, the salaries of teachers considerably 
raised, which had the effect of almost entirely destroying the de- 
sire for private schools in the public as well as in teachers. 

Mr. Meyers was succeeded by Mr. Ballon, who, however, resigned 
his position in a tew weeks, when Miss Burt (Mrs. J. Gamble) 
filled his place until Mr. Mason, the next principal, arrived. 
Still the year was full of changes and somewhat stormy. Mr. 
Mason left at the close of the winter term, and the Board of Edu- 
cation engaged Mr. Tenant for the rest of the year. This gentle- 
man began his work in the new brick building on German street 
now known as the Central school. The upper department was 
separated into a Grammar and a High school. The district 
school at the salt-works had become part of the city, and a 
school-house kept there at first under considerable dfficulties. 
The number of school-houses and teachers had increased very 
much. When, in 1866, Prof. Estabrook took charge of the city 
schools, there were 16 teachers employed in four school-houses, , 
which number doubled when he left in 1871. Professor Esta- 
brook's years in the school belong to the present more than to 
the past, and may be a starting point of a future more extensive 
history of the schools of our city . Two events, however, should 
be mentioned, which, although they occurred recently, are yet 
connected with the past, and seem to form the conclusion of an 
epoch. The one is the burning of the old academy in the spring of 
1871. The building had undergone sundry repairs and changes, which 
seemed to warrant a prolonged lease on its existence, when it was 
probably set on fire during the night, and the citizens found in 
the morning that the familiar old building was no more. The 
new Hoyt school erected on its place is the ornament and just 
pride of that part of the city. 

The other event which seems to close a chapter belonging to 
the past, was the incorporation of the German schools in the 
city schools in the year 1870. 

The cases are rare when the wants and wishes of a large part of 
the population were anticipated in as liberal a manner as was the 
case here. The German schools are now graded and taught in the 
same manner as all the otherpublic schools in the English branches, 
besides having a corresponding German course. 

Since the foregoing sketch was written the high-school building 
has been erected, with Superintendent J. C. Jones presiding. The 
course of study is well arranged, the varied branches com- 
prising algebra, geometry, bookkeeping, English history, history 
of Greece, rhetoric, natural philosophy, chemistry, physiology, 
botany, political economy, German and English literature, with 
elementary exercises in Greek and Latin. A good knowledge of 
the high-school course is imparted to the pupils in a manner which 
cannot fail to be attended with the best results. 



01 IV OF EAST SAGINAW. 519 

Till. CHURCHES. 

The First Presbyterian Church of East Saginaw was organized 
March 24. H»'>7. by Rev. L. J. Root, who preached a sermon and 
administered the aacrament of the Lord's Supper, assisted by Rev. 
Calvin Clark, at that time secretary of home missions of the 
Bjnod of Michigan. Messrs. Alexander Mitchell and Alexander 
[loss, having been previously ordained and duly elected ruling 
elders by the Church, were regularly installed as pastors. 

The following an- the names of the original members : 
ander Mitchell and Elizabeth his wife, Mrs. Francis 
E. Spinney, Alexander Ross and Christine his wife, Mrs. 
Helen Milne, Miss Helen .Milne, William Allen and Cath- 
erine his wife. Ann Mitchell, Helen Mitchell, Jennie Mitchell, 
Mrs. Isabel Sutherland, Mrs. Marc Cooper, Mrs. Margaret 
Stousell, Mrs. Hester McCleary, David M. Austin and Mary 
his wile, Mrs Francis Hall. Orrin M. Stone, Mrs. Margaret F. 
McKay. Mrs. Mary Ann Hudson, John Tucker and Ruth his wife, 
Mrs. Harriet Andrews, Win. Smith, David Haggart, Thomas 
• ■ and Elizabeth his wife, Mrs. Enphemia Steele Massey, 
Elizabeth Steele, Mrs. Mary A. Wren. Win. Wylie, Georgiana 
Ross, Mary Esther Stousell, Margaret Cooper. 

Rev. "W. W. Thorpe first ministered to the Church, and he was 
followed by Rev. A. F. Johnson. In 1870, Rev. S. E. Wishard 
became pastor, and remained about two years. In 1872 Rev. 
Thomas Middlemis took pastoral charge, and continued upward 
of live years. In 1877 Rev. David Van Dyke was called as 
pastor, and closed his labors in 1879. January 1, 1880, Rev. 
Johu T. Oxtoby, the present pastor, took charge of this Church, 
'fhe church edifice is on the corner of Warren and Millard streets, 
and its value is S12,000. The elders are Messrs. Alex. Ross, Jas. 
lie. Win. Smith, George L. Remington, and J. W. Freeman. M. 
D. The number of members April 1, !^M,is about 150. Con- 
nected with the Church is a prosperous Sabbath-school, with adult 
classes and an infant department. 

The Methodist Ej>iscoj)aJ Church was formed originally of six 
members, under the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Shaw, in 1852. At 
that time East Saginaw was but a hamlet, built upon a marsh, 
and had any one at that time prognosticated the rapid growth of 
that hamlet to the present condition of size and prosperity, in the 
Bhort space of 20 years, they would have been deemed decidedly 
visionary. The little M. E. class, however, was composed of men 
and women filled with hope for the future and faith in God, and 
with the assurance of Providential direction, they commenced the 
work of building their first church, which stood upon the corner 
of Washington and German streets, at present occupied by the 
brick block wherein is the drug store of Frizelle & Co. Here 
the society continued to worship for 15 years, growing contin- 
ually in numbers and financial strength, till at last, emboldened 



520 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

by success, it was decided that the old meeting-house, which had 
witnessed their trials and triumphs, was too small for them. 
Accordingly, the present property on Jefferson avenue was pur- 
chased, and the corner-stone of the present building laid on May 
27, 1867. Through the energetic efforts of Rev. Dr. McCarty, 
at that time their pastor, the building was ready for dedication 
Dec. 27, 1869. 

This structure is a very handsome one, built of red brick, with 
gray-stone facings, mullioned windows, slated roof, and corner 
spire 162 feet in height. The windows are of stained glass, and 
the interior richly frescoed. It has a basement, divided into Sab- 
bath-school and class rooms, with a commodious study for the 
pastor. The seating capacity is S00. The interior is richly 
furnished in walnut, upholstered, heated by hot air, and weil 
lighted by large gasoiiers. The whole value of church property, 
which includes the parsonage, is estimated at $57,000. Rev. J. 
McEldowney is the present pastor. 

The German M. E. Church, composed of German citizens, 
was the result of a mission started in 1855, which finally cul- 
minated in the present society. The first building owned by 
the society was burned in 1868, but the society immediately began 
the work of erecting the present commodious place of worship, 
which stands on Warren street. Among the pastors of this 
Church were Rev. Chas. A. Melitzer and Rev. J. R. Rodmer. 

The Colored M. E. Church and the Hess Street M. E. Church 
pertain to this denomination, and form very important branches 
of it. 

The First Baptist Society was organized in 1858, and in the 
great year for East Saginaw church building, 1868, the present 
church edifice was built, at a cost of $36,000. This church stands 
upon the corner of Jefferson and German streets, and is one of 
the finest edifices in the city; it is built of red brick, with gray 
stone trimmings. The church resembles the Methodist Episcopal 
building, and has an audience-room capable of seating 600. The 
basement is divided off into lecture and Sabbath-school rooms, and 
pastor's study. Like the other churches, it is heated with steam 
and well lighted. The existence of this fine building is largely 
owing to the indefatigable labors of Rev. H. L. Morehouse, 
who was pastor for 12 years. Rev. Theodore Nelson is the 
present pastor. 

The Church of South Sagi?iaw is an important addition to the 
Baptist churches of the city. This is now in charge of D. L. De 
Land. 

The Zion (Col.) Baptist Church, of which Rev. John Collins is 
pastor, is located on Johnson and Second streets. 

St. PauVs Protestant Episcopal Church was organized under 
the ministration of Rev. V. Spanlding, in 1854, and in the inter- 
vening time ha^ been under the pastorate of nine rectors belong- 
ing to the Saginaw City mission. The society, like all the others, 



I NY OF FAST SAGINAW. 521 

was for a time homeless, and dependent upon public halls in which 
to worship. Finally, Jesse Hoyt made the society a present of 
the valuable property upon which the present church edifice stands, 
and the work of erecting the building was immediately proceeded 
with. The building is of wood. It is of the mediaeval style, and 
is comfortably furnished, heated and lighted, and has a seating 
capacity for 800. Tin' parish of St. Paul's has been attended by 
Rev. G. B. Eastman, Rev. Geo. W. Wilson, Rev. L. S. Stevens, 
and the present rector, Rev. \\ r . A. Masker, who assumed the 
duties of hie position May 25, l s si. The church is located on 
er and Warren streets; and with the buildings and other 
property is valued at $22,000. The debts of the society have 
all been paid off, and an era of prosperity entered upon. 

Holy Trinity Church holds another congregation of Episco- 
palians. Its services arc given bv the rector of St. Paul's. 

The Catholic Church.— The history of the Catholic Church in its 
relation to East Saginaw is contained in that of St. Andrew's 
Church up to L866, when East Saginaw was. erected a parish. Now 
there arc three Catholic churches in the city; the church of the 
Sacred Heart, on 5th and Cherry streets; St. Joseph's, on 6th and. 
Scar-: and St Mary's, on Wells and Hoyt streets. 

The latter church was built in 1853 and rebuilt ten years later. 
Father Schutzes was its first pastor, and continued to minis- 
ter to the parish until 1863, when Father Vanderhayden was ap- 
pointed pastor. In L866 Rev. Francis Yanderborn succeeded to 
the pastorate, and has since that period been the priest in charge. 
The congregation numbers about 2,000. The regular services of 
the Church are similar to those of all other Catholic Churches, with 
the one exception, that the sermon is preached in the German 
tongue. 

St. Joseph's Church. — St. Joseph's congregation was organized 
in the summer of l s 7-'!, with Pew Richard Sweeny as pastor. It 
consisted of L35 families, among them the Hon. M. .letters, one of 
Saginaw's wealthy men, who took a great interest in the organiza- 
tion and also the erection of St. Joseph's church. This structure 
was commenced in the spring of l s 7_! and was not finished when 
Sweeny took charge of it. lie perfected the organization of 
the parish, built a pastoral residence and school-house, and at the 
present time, has the Church nearly out of debt. The church is a 
frame structure and Cost, including furniture, some $10,000. The 
pastoral residence is also a frame building and cost $2,500. The 
school-house is a frame, and cost $1,500. There is a debt, at the 
present time of only $900 on all the property. The real estate of 
St. Joseph's comprises eight lots. The grounds are beautifully laid 
out and are an ornament to that part of the city. 

The Church of th< Sacred Heart is the last addition to the 
Catholic churches of the city. It is a neat edifice, capable of seat- 
ing son. The congregation numbers about l.< Rev. Joseph 

Pie- i< pa-tor. 



522 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

First Congregational Church, East Saginaw. — During the first 
few years in the religious history of East Saginaw, the Congrega- 
tionalists and Presbyterians united in worship with the Methodist 
congregation. When at length it seemed desirable to have another 
church in the place, the Congregational and Presbyterian element 
united in the employment of Rev. Wm. C. Smith, of Lapeer. He 
began his work May 3, 1857, in Buena Yista Hall, which had been 
placed at their disposal by Jesse Hoyt, of New \ r ork city. A Sab- 
bath-school was formed on the first Sabbath of June following, and 
C. B. Jones elected superintendent. The school, which soon 
numbered about 150 scholars, was provided with a library of over 
600 volumes, many of which were the gift of friends in the East 
and presented through John P. Allison of this city. 

At a meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 11, 1857, the subject of the 
organization of a new Church was considered. A formal ballot 
being taken on the form of Church government, it was decided, 18 
to 1, to organize as a Congregational Church. At this meeting 23 
persons were present, 22 of whom subsequentlv united with the 
Church. Their names are as follows: Rev. Win. C. Smith, W. 
H. Warner, Mrs. Warner, Mrs. Voorhies, Jacob E. Voorhies, 
Henry Woodruff, Mrs. Woodruff, Geo. Morris, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. 
Jane A. Little, wife of N. Little; Nancy M. Webber, Clarissa 
Stevens, Catherine Gage, Margaret Pearson, Eliza Knap}), Nancy 
Brown, Jane Elseffer, Laura A. McKnight, Miss Catherine Lathrop, 
Solomon Lathrop, Edwin A. Moore, Horace B. Hubbard, Chester 
B. Jones. 

The official organization was completed by an ecclesiastical 
council, which convened Oct. 7, 1857, with Rev. P. R. Hurd, D.D., 
as moderator, and Rev. H. D. Kitchel, D.D.. as scribe. The latter 
also preached the sermon. The number of members received at 
the organization was 26, namely: Win. H. Warner, Clarissa D. 
Warner, Solomon Lathrop (dead), Jane A. Little, Clarissa Stevens, 
Chester B. Jones, Catherine A. Gage, Nancy M. Webber, Jacob 
E. Voorhies, Harriet Voorhies, Henry Woodruff, Abbie Wood- 
ruff, Geo. Morris, Amelia Morris. F. Eliza Knapp, Elizabeth 
Woodruff, Margaret Pearson. Jane Elseffer, Edwin A. Moore, 
Horace B. Hubbard, Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Smith, Augusta 

E. Kimball, Helen R. G. Derby, Amanda Woodruff. Of" this 
number Win. H. Warner, Mrs. Stevens, Chester B. Jones, Edwin 
A. Moore, Elizabeth Woodruff, Catherine A. Gage, and, perhaps, 

F. Eliza Knapp, with a few others, are living. 

The first preparatory lecture was given Oct. 31, and the sacra- 
ment of the Lord's Supper was first celebrated by the Church Sab- 
bath, Nov. 1, 1867. 

There have been four pastors: Rev. Win. C. Smith, who served 
eight vears, or from the 1st of May, 1857, to the last of April, 1865; 
he died at Urbana, 111., Sept. 8, 1871. Rev. J. G. W. Cowles served 
nearly six years, from May 1, 1865 (installed by council Sept. 6 fol- 
lowing), torJan. 25, 1871. Rev. Wm. De Los Love, D.D., served 
from J nne 1, 1871 ; installed Nov. 8 following. The present pastor, 



i in v OF EAST SAGINAW. 523 

Rev. Warren F. Day, began his pastorate Oct. 1, 1877, and with 
tin- 20th anniversary of the organization of the Church. Rev. 
ph Mill- and Pn>f. Joseph Estabrook each supplied for several 
months, the former during Rev. Mr. Cowles' pastorate, while he 
was absent on account of ill health; the latter during the interim 
between the pastorates of Mr. Cowles and Mr. Love. 

The original deacons (elected Oct. 31, 1S57) were Solomon La- 
throp, who died five years after, and Wm. E. Warner, who still 
continues in his office. Since then, Alfred T. Silsby, Orville L. 
Mason, David 15. Reeve, Chester B. -Jones, Henry Estabrook, Geo. 
1'. doss. Lucius C. Storrg, Egbert Ten Fyck, Gnrdon Corning, and 
Samuel .1. Dickinson have served. The present deacons are Messrs. 
Corning, Cross, Dickinson, Jones, Reeve, and Warner. In January, 

ISM, tin ieaconesses were added. The present incumbents are 

Mr-. .1. K. Rose, Mr.-, ('has. Straw, and Mrs. Archie Brown. The 
deacons, deaconesses and pastor constitute an advisory committee. 

The Sundav-school superintendents have been C. B. Jones, II. 
M. Flagler, II. T. Collins, L. C. Storrs, and G. F. Cress 

The " First Congregational Society of E-ist Saginaw " was formed 
Sept. S, 1857, to co-operate with the Church, and the following 
elected trustees: Norman Little, D. W. C. Gage, C. B. Jones, J. 
E. Voorhies ami G. J. Dorr. The present board consists of 
Messrs. B. B. Buckhont, G. Corning, G. F. Cross, E. Hallinbeck, I. 
W. Howry, J. R. Livingston and Wm. II. Warner. J. C. Y. 
Wheat, Alfred II. Bissell and Prof. H. B. Roney, who has nearly 
completed 11 years in this position, have presided successively at 
the organ. 

Four places of public worship have been occupied. Buena 
Vista Hall from May, 1*57, to January, 1S61 — three years and nine 
months; the small edifice on the corner of Washington and German 
streets, erected in the winter of L860-'l, at a cost of $13,200, occu- 
pied Feb. 3, L861, and enlarged in 1862, at an additional expense 
of $1,282.56. The erection of the present house of worship was 
undertaken in the autumn of 1866. It was dedicated Sunday, June 
14, 1868. The cost of the ground, building and furnishing was 
$66,472.82. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Prof. Jo- 
seph Haven, of Chicago. At the morning service the subscription 
reached the sum of $22,000, while over $6,000 were collected at the 
evening service. The style of architecture is what might be termed 
composite, being a combination of all orders. The material is 
white brick, with gray stone facings, mullioned windows, slated 
roof and tower for spire, which latter is not yet built. This spire 
will reach a height of 80 feet from the capital of the tower, and 
there is every prospect of the building taking place within a short 
time. The auditorium will seat 1.000 persons comfortably, and is 
finished in oil and varnished pine, and finely upholstered. Off 
from the auditorium is a commodious chapel for prayer-meetings, 
lectures, etc., which will seat 3'>0. Beneath this is the Sabbath-school 
room, very finely and comfortably finished, divided into the various 



524 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

class rooms, etc. The whole building is heated by steam and finely 
lighted. The organ cost $5,000. The bell, weighing with attach- 
ments about 3,000 lbs., was presented to the Church and society 
anonymous]}', through Rev. Warren F. Day, pastor, on the Sabbath 
of May 5, 1878. It is now understood to oe chiefly the gift of Mrs. 
Miriam Seymour. 

Of the former pastors of the Church, Rev. Mr. Smith died at Ur- 
bana, 111., Sept. S, 1871, aged 40 years. Rev. Mr. Cowles is now in 
secular business atCleveland, O., being unable to perform the duties 
of his ministry on account of injuries received while here, which 
impede his speech. Dr. De Los Love is the pastor of the Congre- 
tional church at Hadley, Mass. 

For the first four years this Church received aid from the Ameri- 
can Home Missionary Society to the amount of $200 annually. 
Since assuming its own support it has been a liberal contributor to 
the leading benevolences of the denomination, and also to various 
other causes. For many }'ears the ladies connected with the Church 
and society have sustained a foreign missionary. Two mission 
Sunday-schools in this city have their chief support and workers 
from this Church, while the reformatory and charitable institutions 
of this city also receive their share of attention. 

The reverses in business which followed soon after the dedication 
of the present edifice threw a large amount back upon the treasury 
unpaid, which at length footed up a debt of $15,000, that encum- 
bered the society and detracted from its usefulness until May, 1880, 
when pastor and people resolutely took the debt in hand. The 
best business ability came to the front, and in about four working 
days the entire amount was subscribed, and Nov. 1, 1880, was hon- 
orably and fully paid. 

Since the organization of this Church there have been 699 admis- 
sions, of which about 350 have been on confession of faith. The largest 
number received at one time was 72, on July 1, 1866. Present 
membership (May, 1881), 368, of whom 99 are males and 269 are 
females. 

St. Joints Evangelical Lutheran. — This church was built in 
186S, at a cost of $30,000, resembles the Methodist Episcopal and 
Baptist churches in the style of architecture, and has a very 
fine chime of bells in the tower. 

This is another model church edifice, and stands on the corner of 
German and Rockwell streets. The form of worship observed 
by the society is distinctively Lutheran, as laid down in the 
rubrics of the Reformed State Church of Germany. Rev. Conrad 
Voltz has been the pastor for many years, and under his admin- 
istration this German society continues to advance its interests. 

St. Paul's German Lutheran, with Rev. H. Kraeling, pastor, 
and the German Lutheran, with Rev. Conrad Yoltz, pastor, sum up 
the establishments of this section of the Christian Church within 
the city. 

In addition to all these houses of Christian worship, there is 
a Spiritualist society, a union Church organization, a school of 



CIT1 OF EAST SAGINAW. 525 

free thinkers, a limited number of pantheists, a society of Uni- 
tarians, one of CTniversalists, and a number of other equally con- 
Bcientioue organizations. There is, therefore, sufficient variety in 
the religions opinions of the city's population to strip worship 
of its monotony, and render life in East Saginaw pleasant to 
those who may love change of opinion. It doubtless tends also 
to uproot the upas tree of religious in toleration by creating a doubt 
regarding the correctness of any one of all opinions, and urging 
men to search abroad for that which seems the best. The true 
searcher after religion fails to behold a terrible monster in that 
which he was taught to hate and despise. He looks upon his 
fellow with a sympathetic eye, and by degrees casts aside the 
.-had.' of bigotry to enter a world where both good and evil exist 
in about equal proportion. 

CEMETERIES. 

Brady Hi 1 1 Cemetery. — In 1S54 the Board of Health of Buena 
Vista township purchased of Alfred M. Hoyt the property known 
as Brady Hill for cemetery purposes, and occupied the same as 
a burial ground until February, 1859, when the city of East Sag- 
inaw was incorporated. Included in the territory acquired by 
such incorporation under act of the Legislature was Brady Hill 
cemetery. 

The city authorities took possession of the same and held it 
up to May 19, 1881. Within a month of the time when 
the rights of Buena Vista, if it possessed any, would have been 
determined by the statute of limitations, suit was commenced by 
the Board of Health of that township in the Circuit Court, to 
recover possession of the cemetery, and the case was heard by 
Judge Shipman, of Coldwater, who rendered a decision in favor 
of the city. The matter was carried to the Supreme Court, and 
in January. 1881, the judgment of the lower court was reversed, 
and a judgment entered for the Board of Health of Buena Vista, 
as owner in fee. with costs of both courts. 

Some negotiations were had between the Township Board of 
Buena Vista and a committee of the Common Council relative to 
the city acquiring the cemetery by purchase, but the terms were 
not mutually satisfactory, and the negotiations fell through. A 
committee was also appointed to select grounds for a cemetery, 
and it recommended the purchase of the Eaton property, at the 
south end of the city; but this recommendation was not concurred 
in. At a citizens- meeting it was recommended to the common 
council to purchase about seven acres of Mr. Hoyt, adjoining Brady 
Hill cemetery, which it was thought would, with the present cem- 
. afford ample facilities for some years to come. Before this 
recommendation could be acted upon, the Township Board of 
Buena Vista acquired a possessory title to the seven acres. The 
result of the watchfulness of the Buena Vistians and the apathy 



526 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

of the City Council was, that the sheriff of the county took pos- 
session ot the cemetery grounds, May 19, 1881, placed David Le 
Roy in charge, and ordered W. T. Arnold — the sexton for the last 
22 years — to give up possession of his official residence on the 
20th of the same month. 

By an act of the State Legislature, approved by Governor Jerome, 
June 1, 1881, the question of title to the cemetery is settled for 
the time being. It provides, k ' That the care, custody and control 
of the Bracy Hill cemetery, in the city of East Saginaw, is hereby 
conferred upon and vested in the said city of East Saginaw, the same 
to be exercised in accordance with the charter of said city, as therein 
provided for the control of city cemeteries. 

" The city of East Saginaw shall pay to the treasurer of the 
township of Buena Vista such proportion of the purchase price 
in the year 1854, of said cemetery, as the valuation of that por- 
tion of Buena Yista township, as now constituted, bears to the val- 
uation of that portion of Buena Yista as it was in 1854, and which 
is now within the city of East Saginaw, as the same was valued 
upon the assessment roll of 1854,as a basis for State and county taxes, 
and also interest thereon at the rate of seven per cent., from and 
after the first day of January, 1855. to date of payment; and upon 
such payment being made or tendered, the authority of the Board 
of Health of said township shall cease; and the Board of Health of 
said township shall use said money only for the purchase or im- 
provement of a cemetery for said township. The Township Board 
of Buena Vista is at liberty to test the constitutionality of the Act. 
Equity will sustain the city's claim to its necropolis. 

The Catholic Cemetery is located near the city cemetery of 
Brady Hill. Both burial grounds are neatly arranged and contain 
many fine memorial monuments. 

MA.SONIC HISTORY. 

St. Bernard Gommandery, No. 16, K. T.,was organized in 1866 
At the annual conclave of the commandery, the following were 
elected officers for the ensuing year: F. E. Hoyt, E. C; T. E. Bor- 
de i, Gen'l: Geo. L. Remington, Capt. Gen.; Ed. Saunders, Prel. ; 
F. A. Ashlev, S. W.; A. D."'Macomber, J. W.; Win. H. Clark, 
Treas.; J. H. Woollacott, Rec; Win. Grant, St. B. ; W. H. Cam- 
brey, Swd. B.; Chas. A. Lee, Warden; Wm. Cole, Sent. ; Win. Will- 
iamson, C. W. Gray, O. J. Hetherington, Guards. 

Sagi?iaw Lodge, No. 77, F. cfc A. M., was organized under dis- 
pensation, and its first meeting held June 23, 1855. The dispen- 
sation was granted by the Grand Lodge to M. B. Hess, as W. M.; 
David Hughes, S. W., and James A. Large, I. W. The charter 
members were S. C. Munson, S. C. Beach, Absalom F. Hayden, 
and David F. Hess. On the last two days of July, 1855, R. W. 
Bela Cogshall, then G. V. and L., assisted in conferring the 
degree of E. A. on Norman Little, W. L. P. Little^ W. L. Webber 



I iiv OF l A>T SAGINAW. 527 

and 0. I'*. M"tt. The charter was granted in January, 1856, and a 
meeting held Feb. 27, L856. when J. A. Large was elected W. M. ; 
W. I.. Webber, S. W.; C. W. Grant, .1. W.; H. S. Roberts. D. G. 
M. John B. Hamilton. .1. G. \\\. dedicated tlie lodge. Among 
the W. fti.'s of the lodge since charter were AV. L. Webber, W. 
.1. Bartow, J. S. Goodman, and the present president, Frank Law- 
rence. The officers at present are: Prank Lawrence, W. M. ; George 
B. Gage, S. W.; Eenry Williams, J. W.; Fred E. Rich, S. D.; W. 
\vi,~. .1. I).: S. P. Bliss, Sec; Wm. ('ole. Treas. 

Saginaw Valley CJwmter,No. 31. R. A. M., received its charter 
-Ian. 12, 1864, with W. L. Webber. II. P. ; Chas. B. Mott, K.; S. 
W. Yawkey, S. ; "W. J. Bartow, Ezra Rust, E. W. Lyon, L. S. 
Leinheim, Geo. W. Merrill, J. (J. Lowell, Chas. E. Gillett, Geo. 
F. Lewi-. John J. Wheeler, R. II. Weideman, Addison P. Brewer, 
M. B. Bess, John S. Estabrook, I. M. Smith, ('has. W. Granl 
and Wm. Eodson, charter members. 

The first meeting of the Chapter was held Feb. 4, 1864, when 
the following officers were elected: W. L. Webber, H. P.; Jud- 
sonC. Lowell: K.:S. W. Yawkey, S.;W. J. Bartow, C. H.; C. E. 
Gillett, P. 8.; J. S. Estabrook, R. A. C; E. W. Lyon, M. 3d Veil; 
F. Lewis. M. 2d Veil; Fred E. Hoyt, K. 1st Veil. The cere- 
mony of installation took place April _<>, 1804, under Francis 
Darrow, of Pontiac, \i. E. I). II. P., and Stillman Blanchard, R. 
E. Gi V. & L. 

The present officers are W. J. Bartow, II. P.; J. L. Winn, K. ; 
George 0. Warner. S. ; Charles Straw. ( '. of II.; J. S. Goodman, 
P. S.; Fred A. Ashley, U. A. C; William Grant, G. M. 3d Veil; 
IL Williams, G. M. 2d Veil; Walter Fitzgerald^ G. M. 1st Veil; 
George l'>. Gage, Sec; William Cole, S, 

Saginaw Coimcil, No. 20, II. & S. M. was organized .Inly 25, 
l v <''ti. This lodge holds a high place among the Masonic circles of 
the State. It- present officers are Fred E. Soyt, T. J. M.; D. B. 
Reeves, D. J. M: ('has. Doughty, P. C. of W.; W. Fitzgerald. C. 
& <L; D. Iloyt, Treasurer; Geo. B. Gage, Recorder; IL H. 
Cheeney, Steward; Wm. Cole, Sentinel. 

Ancient Landmarks Lodge,F. <& A. M, No. 303, was organized 
in the spring oi l s 71. with C. II. Gage, W . M. The present 
officers are Dr. Benjamin B. Ross, W. «L; Lawson C. Holden, S. 
W.; Eenry B. Roney, J. W.;CharlesF. Weber, S. D.;P. Heimick, 
J. D.: J. M. Brooks, See.; Douglas White, Treas.; William 
Cole. T. 

SaUna Lodge, No. L55, is one of the more recent lodges of the 
Masonic orders instituted in the city. Organized in 1867, its 
progress has been remarkable, and its present condition pros- 
perous. 

East Star Lodge, No. 6 (colored), was chartered in 1862. 

Saginaw Valley Concla/oe No. 4, of Red Cross of Constantine, 
wasorganized April 27, 1 ^ 74. with D. J. Evans as M". P. S. 



528 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

I. 0. O. F. 

O-saw-vja-bon Lodge, No. 74, was the first Odd Fellows lodge 
organized here, and was started June 2, 1855. Owing to the 
limited population, and many other causes, the organization ceased 
in 1857 and was not resuscitated till 1865. The first officers of the 
lodge formed in 1855 were C. B. Mott, N. G., and A. Furguson, 
Y. G. The charter members included Jay S. Curtis, M. Smith. S. 
B. Knapp, Thomas M. Birdsall. The lodge resuscitated was 
organized with J. S. Curtis, 1ST. G. ; A. Ferguson, K. S. ; C. H. 
Burton, P. S., and W. F. Glasby, S. 

Valley Encampment, No. 20. was instituted May 10, 1866, with 
J. S. Curtis, C. H. Burton, A. Ferguson, T. E. Doughty, W. H. 
Southwick, J. M. Luther and J. H. McFarlin, charter members. 
The officers were J. H. McFarlin, C. P. ; J. S. Curtis, N. P. ; T. 
E. Doughty, S. AV. ; A. Ferguson, S. ; C. H. Burton, P. ; and J. 
M. Luther,' J. AV. 

The Uniformed Company of the I. O. O. F. is presided over by 
George S. Gould, Capt. ; James Ayles, 1st. Lieut, ; William 
Richards* >n, Secretary. 

Herman Lodge (German) No. 195. The present officers are: 
P. K. Frank, N. G. ; Henry Schmidt, V. G. ; Julius Guenther, 
R. S. 

The other lodges of the order comprise the Empire, organized 
Aug. 12, 1874; the Buena Yista Lodge, Feb. 26, 1872; Oriental, 
organized in 1872, with Le Roy H. De Lavergne, N. G., and the 
Magara Encampment, organized April 28, 1875. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

Saginaw Lodge, No. 10, K. of P., was organized March 28, 
1873, with James G. Terry as C. C. This important lodge is well 
maintained, and its social and financial condition prosperous. 

DAUGHTERS OF REBECCA. 

A lodge of this order, known as Azure Lodge, ISTo. 43, was 
organized in 1871. 

GOOD TEMPLARS. 

East Saginaw Lodge, No. 172, the first lodge of Good Templars 
in the city, was established Nov. 24, LS65, with Rev. B. S. Taylor, 
AV. C. T.'; Jane Smith, AV. Y. T. ; D. AY Perkins, AY S. ; C. B. 
Jones, AY T. ; AV. H. Burrill, AV. F. S. ; Anna AYest, AY I. G. ; 
Dr. 0. L. Mason, AV. C. ; AVm. AVilley, P. AV. C. T. ; Amanda 
Allen, AV. A. S. ; Cornelius AVilson, AV. M. ; Margaret Coggs well, 
AV. D. M. ; and O. P. Davison, W. O. G. 

Fountain Head Lodge was instituted May 19, 1875, with Geo. 
Stevens, AV. C. T.; Lucy Clark, AV. Y. T.; Laura AVilde, AV. Sec. 
Mary Fenno, AV. Treas., and 40 charter members. 



I ity OF EAST SAGINAW. 520 

NON- SECRET ORGANIZATIONS, 

The other societies, benevolent, literary, etc., are numerous and 
inflnential. 

The East Saginaw Library Association. — On the 18th of Au- 
gust, 1865, this association was organized with Dr. JI. C. Potter, 
President; Geo. K. Newcomb and I. M. Smith, Vice Presidents; 
L. C. Storrs, Treasurer; Geo. F. Lewis, Recording Secretary, and 
B. Boardman, Financial Secretary. It is still one of the 
institutions of the city. 

T/i> Young Men's Association was organized Oct. 7, 1864, and 
perfected A.ng. L8, L865, with H. C. Potter, President; Geo. K. 
Newcomb, V. P.; [rving M. Smith, Treas.; S. C. Storrs, E. S.; 
Geo. F. Lewis, C.S.;G. B. Boardman, W. L. Webber, Geo. C. 
Warner, Chauncey H. Gage and S. W. Vawkey, Directors. 

St. Patricks Benevolent Society. — This organization was per- 
fected March, 1873. Its membership is 83. Its chaplain is Rev. 
Richard Sweeny, with Edward McSweeney as President, and 
Edward II. Doyle, Secretary. Its numbers are large and its work 
is effectively done. 

ISagvnaw Valley Caledonian Club was organized in 1868, with 
A. K. Sutherland as Chief. This is also a flourishing society. 

St. Andrews Society. — This is a flourishing society, organized 
June 29. 1865. 

The Neptnnr Boat Club was organized June 18, 1859, by S. R. 
Kirby, James F. Brown, F. A. Koehler, J. E. Mershon, J. M. Mer- 
shon. F. X. Bridgeinan, Geo. Schram, X. W. Wright, M. S. Filkins 
and others. 

Th-i Colored Debating Society was organized Feb. 10, 1866, with 
Lewis Reno, President. The meetings of the African orators were 
as interesting as only such meetings can be. In the course of a 
short time, however, the whites were denied an opportunity of 
hearing the debates, and shortly after the organization broke up. 

The American Protestant Association was organized Nov. 12. 
1866, as East Saginaw Lodge, No. 1, and subsequently a chapter 
associated with it. 

T% Academy of Medicine of Saginaw Valley was organized 
in L875, with J. II. Jerome, M. D., Pres.; Geo. A. Lathrop, M. D., 
V. P.; J. J. Lutze, M. D., Sec. and Treas.; M. C. T. Plessner, M. D., 
L. W. Bliss, M. D. and J. M. Campbell, M. D., Board of Censors. 

East Saginaw Debating Society was organized with John F. 
Driggs, Pres., and J. J. Rnpp, Sec. and Treasurer. 

The Home for the Frienah ss is now presided over by the Board 
of Managers, composed as follows: East Saginaw, Mrs. John Welch, 
Mrs ligman, Mrs. Archie Brown. Mrs. Henry Bachelor, 

Mi-. J. F. Driggs, Dr. II. V. Bills, Mrs. C.V. De Land, 'Mrs. Josiah 
Amr?. Mrs. C. Wilson, Mrs. Cambrey, Mrs. S. G. Iluckins, Mrs. 
K. P. Lewis, Mrs. Moxley, Mrs. Swift, Mrs. J. Davies, Mrs. Mc- 



530 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Bain, Mrs. J. J. Harvey, Mrs. J. W. Freeman, Mrs. Henry Wilson, 
Mrs. L. Q. Richardson, Mrs. H. Coleman, Mrs. Ellen Eddy, Mrs. 
Thos. Saylor, Mrs. J. Tyler, Mrs. R. Z. Smith, Mrs. M. Wilson, 
Mrs. O. J. Hetheringto'n, Mrs. M. Wilkinson, Mrs. H. II. Brown, 
Mrs. Thos. Emery, Mr^. J. P. Croll. 

Saginaw City, "Mrs. J. L. Barnard, Mrs. Mamie Clark, Mrs. P. 
Parry, Mrs. R, Kimball, Mrs. O. D. Chapin, Mrs. Goodson, Mrs. 
Annie Seymour. 

COMMERCIAL AND TRADE SOCIETIES. 

The East Saginaio Underwriters' Association was organized in 
1872, witli Geo. Lockley, Pres., and Byron G. Stark, Sec. 

The Merchants' Protective Society was instituted in 1875, with 
L. Simoneau, Pres.; Herman Goeschell, V. P.; J. H. Beese, Treas., 
and J. E. Hathaway, Sec. 

Parsons' Business College Lyceum was established in 1869, 
and reorganized in 1873, with C. F. Knothe, Pres.; Miss Ellin- 
wood, Y. P., and W. H. Billing, Sec. and Treas. 

The Iron-Molders' Union was organized Aug. 20, 1871, with 
a membership of 16. The preamble of its constitution declared 
the Union to be organized for protective as well as benevolent pur- 
poses. 

The Lumber Exchange of East Saginaw is a private enter- 
prise, started by Hon. Chas. V. DeLand, May 1, 1874. 

The object of the Exchange is to furnish a headquarters for the 
lumbermen of the Saginaw Valley, to bring the buyer and the 
seller together under the most convenient and favorable circum- 
stances for the transaction of their business, and to answer all the 
legitimate purposes of a" combined intelligence office and a Board 
of Trade. 

The following are the names of individuals and firms who have 
become members of the Exchange: A. P. Brewer, W. J. Bartow, 
Burnham & Still, Gebhart & Estabrook, Duncan & Gamble, R. G. 
Horr, A. II. Mershon, Chas. L. Ortmann, Geo. Lockle} r , S. & C. 
McLean & Son, Hunter Bros., C. & E. Ten Eyck, Wright, 
Wells & Co., Ryan, Johnson & Co. (Saginaw & San- 
dusky Transportation Company), Eddy, Avery & Co., J. H. 
Hill & Sons, Lockwood, Swift & Co., Warner & Eastman, 
Geo. C. Warner, E. F. Gould, T. Saylor & Co., W. R. Burt, 
S. H. Webster, J. J. Qnackenbush, Albert A. Day, Win. R. Bates, 
J. W. Howry, Grant & Saylor, F. F. Gardner & Son, D. F. Rose, 
Wm. Callum, James Talbert, John Mason, John G. Owen, You- 
mans & Yan Winkle, Terry, Seely & Co., H. T. & J. M. Wilson, 
Thomas Nester, McCormick &Eddy, Thos. Edsall, E. H. Scott, D. 
Wright & Co., Chas. Merrill &, Co., Shaw & Williams, Pierson, 
Wright &Co., John Callum, E. M. Pitcher & Co., B. Higgins, A. 
T. Bliss & Bro., Cross, Wright & Co. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 531 

GERMAN SOCIETIES. 

The social, musical and benevolent societies formed by the Ger- 
man citizens comprise, first, the Arbeiter TTnterstuetsungB Verein 
(corresponding to the Workingmen's Mutual Benefit Association), 
organized in March. 1869, and incorporated the same year; the 
Germenia Society/ the Genua nia Library dc Musical Society/ 
the Lyra Singing Society, and the German, Hebrews' Society, 
known as Kisher Shell Bar-set, No. 110, A. J. 0. R. S. B., organized 
June it, 1.S73. 

EAST SAGINAW DRIVING PARK. 

The East Saginaw Driving Park Association was organized in 
1S73 with a capital stock of $10,000. The track is a full mile in 
length, as has been demonstrated by several official, and probably 
a hundred unofficial, measurements. It is, by turf men, conceded 
to be one of the finest mile tracks in the United States orCanadas. 
In July, L874, Goldsmith Maid and Judge Fullerton trotted on it, 
when the Maid made the then unprecedented time of 2:16. The 
reputation of the track immediately became national. 

The cost of the track and buildings has been $20,000. The 
grounds embrace 45 acres. The grand stand, when its additions are 
completed, will seat 4,000 persons. 

The rules of the National Horse Association for the promotion 
of the interests of the American trotting turf govern all trotting un- 
less otherwise provided. Running is governed by rules of the 
American Jockey Club. Trotting to be mile heats, best three in five, 
and in harness. A horse distancing the field or any part thereof will 
be awarded but one premium. No premiums to ruled-out horses. 
Heats in each day's races may be trotted and run alternatel} 7 . 
The driving park is admirably located, being five-eighths of a mile 
to Salina House at South Saginaw, one and three-eighths of a 
mile to the Taylor House, Saginaw City, and one and five-eighths 
of a mile to the Bancroft and Everett houses at East Saginaw; 
while the Washington avenue cars run within a short distance of 
the track, and the F. & P. M. railroad branch to Salina runs within 
a block of it. The grounds adjoin those of the Agricultural Society. 
Among the projectors of the park were W. J. Barton, Geo. C. 
Warner, C. L. Lull, Joshua Tuthill, Harrison Coleman, C. C. Mc- 
Lean, T. M. Hubbell, C. H. Smith, C. S. Draper, John Welch and 
A. P. Brewer. 

MILITARY COMPANIES. 

The Hampton Guards were organized at East Saginaw in No- 
vember, 1856, under Capt. Thomas and M. Lyon. 

The East Saginaw Light Artillery Company was organized in 
September, 1859, with Captain D. A. Robinson, jr., and the follow- 
ing officers and men: First Lieut., A. Ferguson; Sergeant, A. L. 

32 



532 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Rankin; Corporal, R. H. Loomis; Privates — F. N. Bridgeman, 
James F. Brown, Geo. F. Corliss, R. A. Eddy, W. G. Howe, F. T. 
Hall. G. F. Hobbs, J. H. Hilliard, M. JetTers, J. H. Mershon, J. 
E. Mershon, Sand ford Keeler, Emil Moores, J. H. Paul, F. W 
Wiggins, M. C. Wakeman, T. T. Willey, Z. W. Wright, A. F. 
Young. 

East Saginaw Rifles were organized April 13, 1873, and at- 
tached to the 3d Mich. Inf. as Co. E. D. D. Keeler, A. L. Button 
and F. H. Doughty were the first officers of the company. The 
seventh anniversary of the organization of the company was observed 
by a public parade of the company April 13, 1881. After the parade 
the veteran corps met in the armory and elected the following civil 
officers: — President, C. F. Shaw; Vice-President, Theo. S. Hill; 
Secretary, W. S. Doughty; Treasurer, A. L, Button. The com- 
pany numbers 70 rank and file, fully equipped and drilled. 

INDUSTRIES. 

Mayflower' Mills. — This, the first flouring mill established in 
the valley, was built during the year 1851, at a cost of $30,000. For 
a period of nine years the merchant and custom departments of the 
concern were worked to their utmost capacity, and until 1S60 sup- 
plied the Valley with flour .The principal part of the original build- 
ing was consumed by fire in 1860. It was immediately reconstructed 
and work resumed. In 1866 a large addition was built, and 11 
years later the elevator was constructed, at a cost of $15,000. The 
mill proper is three-stories high with basement, each floor 85x55 
feet. The elevator is a four-story building 50xS0 feet, with a ca- 
pacity of 100,000 bushels; the warehouse is located on the dock, and 
like the other buildings-is extensive. The machinery is of the most 
approved pattern and moved by a marine low-pressure Cahuga 
engine of 130-horse power. There are six run of stone, five for 
flour and one for feed, which, with the accompanying machinery, 
sum up in value $20,000. The actual product of the mill is 230 
barrels per day. The cooper shop in connection with it turns out 
20,000 barrels annually. The buildings are valued at $50,000. The 
entire business is operated and controlled by Emil Moores. 

C. <& E. Ten Eycfc's Shingle Mill. — This concern was first 
operated as a stave yard, subsequently converted into a saw-mill, 
and again into a shingle factory. The machinery employed is of 
the latest description. In 1873 the mill produced 18,035,000 
shingles, and in 1880, 21,963,250. The prospects for this season's 
manufacture gives figures in excess of those for 1880. 

The Salt Well, in connection with the shingle factory, is 728 
feet deep, with a capacity of 92 barrels per day. The machinery is 
of the most approved pattern, and every appointment of the con- 
cern of the first order. The mills and wells are the property of 
Mrs. Isabella E. Ten Eyck, T. B. McCormick and W. K. "Mc- 
Cormick. The number of men to whom this industry offers direct 
employment is set down at 60. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 533 

Gebhart & Estabrook's Sato-Mill, etc. — A mill was built on the 
site of their present mill by Millard & Sweet (Franklin M. and Wna. 
H. S.), in 1851 ; size40x60 feet, having two mulevs, a siding machine 
and an edger; capacity, 4,000.000. This was the fourth mill built 
at this end of the river. In Ls53 it was sold to J. E. Earle, of 
New York: in 1S57 to Curtis & King ( L. B. C. and Stephen K.), 
of Saginaw City ; in 1863 King sold his interest to Gordon Corn- 
ing, of Saginaw; in 1871 the latter sold his interest to John S. 
Estabrook, of East Saginaw, and Alex. Gebhart, of Dayton, O., 
who thus constituted, with Mr. Curtis, the firm of L. B. Curtis ct 
Co. In 1872 this company took down the mill, and it was removed 
to Chippewa Station, Osceola Co.; they erected a new mill the 
same year, putting in AVicke's steam Yankee gang, circular, two 
edgers, a lath mill, etc.; capacity, 102,000,000; cost, $54,000; real 
estate, S30.000. In December, 1*73, Messrs Gebhart & Estabrook 
bought Mr. Curtis' interest. At that time 51 men were employed. 
The mill was rebuilt in the winter of 1880-'l, with machinery as 
follows: AVicke's new improved gang, 40-inch gate, two circulars, 
06-inch saws each, two edgers, two trimmers, lath, stave and head- 
ing machinery, seven boilers, one engine 22x26 and one 20x22, 
Prescott's steam feed and Lamb's steam feed, live rollers, transfers 
and all modern improvements. Cost of improvernents,$20,000; total 
cost, $104,000. Size of mill building, 60x122 feet, iron roof; 
boiler house, 60x62, brick, iron roof; a brick chimney 106 feet high 
and an iron stack 115 feet high. Assessed valuation in 1880, $32,- 
300; men employed, 6S. 

In connection with the salt block, the first well was bored in 
1^7'*>, 790 feetdeep; second well, 787 feet deep, in 1877; and third 
well, 774 feet in depth, in 1880. 135 barrels of salt are made per 
day. There are four cisterns, 20x30 feet, one steam settler, 8x150 
feet, two steam settlers, 12x100 feet, six grainers, 8^x150 feet. 
Steam power is used. Cost of block and wells, $22,000; number 
of men employed, 15. 

Hoyfs Salt Works. — The first well bored under direction of 
Jesse Hoyt was that in 1860, reaching a depth of 745 feet; the 
second was sunk in 1873, to a depth of 700 feet, and the third in 
1*74, reaching a depth of 764 feet. The cisterns number 16, with a 
capacity of 100 barrels each, arranged in six blocks. There are 497 
covers, 16x16, in use, enabling the manufacture of 600 barrels per 
week, or the contents of six cisterns. The cooper-shop, in connection 
with the works, has a capacity of 100 barrels per day each — each 
barrel produced at a net cost of 23c . The manufactured salt is ship- 
ped in bulk to Chicago, where it is sold to the stock-yard operators. 
The first salt made by the process of solar evaporation was that manu- 
factured under the superintendency of Patrick Green for the Hoyt 
firm. David McNicholls is the present superintendent of this salt 
factory. 

Hoyfs Saw-Mill was built in September, ls66, by Wi ekes Pros., 
at a cost of $20,000. The concern was purchased by Jesse Hoyt, 



534 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

in 1870. The machinery is valued at $15,000; the building at 
$5,000. The estimated seasons cut for 1880 was, 6,737.000 feet of 
lumber, giving employment to 37 hands. In 1870 the capital in- 
vested amounted to $50,000, the lumber cut to 6.775,500 feet, laths 
manufactured 1,445,000, men employed 37. All the lumber is 
dressed before being shipped. Robert Staples is in charge of the 
mill. 

The Planing Mill gives employment to 45 men, and produces 
10,000,000 feet of dressed. lumber annually. The building is 140x 
loo feet; machinery is valued at $10,000, moved by Wickes Bros.' 
120-horse-power engine. The six dry kilns in connection with 
this department have a capacity of 150,000 feet. Wm. J. Bartow 
is general superintendent of the entire concern. 

John G. Owen's Saw, Planing and Shingle Mills were construct- 
ed in 1870, at a cost of $70,000, with machinery valued at $30,000. 
The main building is three-stories high, 40x125 feet. The planing 
mill is a two-story building, 60x80. There are three salt wells, of 
an average depth of 750 feet, with a two-story building 125x125 
feet, and warehouse 20x100 feet. The season's cut for 1880 was 
14,040,000 feet, with 500,000 laths, and 327,750 shingles. The 
product of the salt wells is about 175 barrels per day, or 15,560 
barrels of manufactured salt for the season of 1SS0." This busy 
center of manufacturing industry gives employment to 130 men. 
The former partner of Mr. Owen, Mr. Bremer, who was interested 
with him in the old McLean mill until 1S76, lost heavily in the 
fire of Dec. 4, 1878. Although the old mill stood directly opposite 
the present Owen property, the tire did not reach it, and thus one 
of the great industries of the city was preserved. 

Hamilton, McClure & Co.'s S. and L. Works. — This firm of 
manufacturers is the successor to W. R. Burt & Co., lumber, salt 
and shingle manufacturers. It is composed of J. A. Hamilton, 
Jethro Mitchell and Wm. McClure. W. R. Burt & Co. operated 
these works. In 1866 they built a saw-mill, erected a salt block, 
which continuedin use until destroyed by fire, in 187S. Subsequently 
this firm constructed what was known as the New York salt works, 
doubled the production of the mill and salt block, and otherwise 
improved the property. The lumber mill has a capacity of 20,000,- 
000 feet per season. 

The Salt Works were improved by McClure & Co. A steam 
salt block was erected, with a capacity of 275 barrels per day, to- 
gether with solar works of a capacity of 30,000 barrels per annum. 
These solar works are the largest in the United States, outside of 
Syracuse. The mill and salt works stand on a farm of 300 acres, 
and give employment to 175 men, many of them skilled me- 
chanics. 

The company have ten salt wells, which are in operation day and 
night. This association of enterprising men is among the first in 
the Valley. The products of their works are well known in the 
markets of the States, and their reputation well sustained. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 535 

A. F. Bartlett c6 Co.. proprietors of the pioneer iron and galvan- 
izing works, established in 1S54 by Warner & Eastman, are en- 
gaged in the manufacture of steam engines, machinery, iron and 
brass castings, lubricators, tubing, fillings for salt works, and other 
articles in iron. The growth of this industrial concern is similar 
to that of the city to which it belongs. The trade of the firm ex- 
tends as far south as Georgia, and westward to Iowa. The amount 
of sales annually reaches the large sum ol §1,500,000. Mr. Bartlett 
has been associated in the business with Messrs. Morris and Spind- 
ler since the purchase of the works from Morris & Hill. 

Wn.i'iu r t0 Eastman's Saw-Mill, etc. — The pioneer foundry was 
established by these gentlemen in 1854, but not until 1859 did they 
connect themselves with the lumber industry. Early in the latter 
year they constructed a saw-mill, near the pioneer foundry on 
Water street in L878, then added a shingle-mill to the concern, 
and in 1876 entered upon salt manufacture. The machinery is 
estimated in value at $15,000,thebuildings and grounds at $20,000, 
and the two saltblocks at $8,000. The saw-mill is a two-story 
building. 60x100 feet; the salt blocks a one-story structure, 120x 
120 feet. The firm employs 80 men. In 1880 the saw-mill pro- 
duced in. u0o,000 feet of lumber, 3,000,000 shingles, and 20, 082. 
barrels of salt. 

The Lee Saw and Planing Mills. — The mills standing on the 
property purchased by Charles Lee in 1862 were built in 1856, and 
used as a heading and stave factory. In 1S03 they were converted 
into saw and shingle mills. In 1874 the planing mill was added; 
in 1875, a sash, door and blind factory; and in 1880 the present 
two-story building. 155x75 feet, was constructed. The factory em- 
ploys ."'i 1 men, stands on 16 city lots, with 600-feet river frontage, 
and possesses the latest improved machinery. The dry kiln, 
built in 1880 at a cost of $15,0 » '. has a capacity of 36,000 feet. 
The product of the saw-mi Is for 1880 was 3,000,000 feet oflumber 
and 700,000 lath. The product of the planing mill and factory 
is very great. 

Burnhwm & StiWs Saw-Mill was built in 1872-'3. The full ca- 
pacity of this mill is 35,000,000 feet per season. The building is a 
two-story structure, 34x80; engine room 30x60. The season's cut 
for 1880 equaled 6,200,000 feet. 500,000 laths and 500,000 
staves and headings; giving employment to 30 men. 

The SaltWell was bored to a depth of 744 feet, in 1862. The 
salt block is 2oox24. with a return 115x36 feet. The product of the 
wells in 188o aggregated 12,635 barrels. The cooper's shop in 
connection with the saltblock is a building 18x24, which with the 
saw-mill, machinerv, block building and grounds, are valued at 
$36,ooo. 

E. J. R'in<fx Shingle Factory was built in 1873. The building 
is 40x50 feet, two-stories high, with engine-room 12x3o, containing 
two large boilers and a 40-horse-power engine. The works occupy 
five acres, and are of sufficient capacity to produce85,000 shingles 



536 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

per clay. The salt block, now operated by W. F. Stevens, pertains 
to this property. 

Stevens Bros., Salt Works. — This well was bored to a depth of 
881 feet in 1861, and new tubing placed therein in 1880. The ca- 
pacity of the works is set down at 80 barrels per day, all of which 
is placed in barrels for shipment. The block is a two-story build- 
ing 120x5<>, with storage room 120x16 and the engine-room. The 
buildings with machinery, etc., are valued at $10,000. In 1880 the 
salt produced was 11,613 barrels. 

J. F. & D. W. Rust cfc Co.' s Mills, etc.— The saw-mill was built 
in 1858 by John F. Bust & Co., at a cost of $10,000. The old 
building was 40x80, two-stories high, with a capacity of 4,000,000 
feet per annum. 

In 1875 the mill was rebuilt and enlarged to a two-story building 
56x116, with wing 40x40 feet. A stave mill was also built 22x22, 
an engine-room 60x60, new machinery took the place of the old, 
and every improvement which should belong to a great industrial 
concern introduced. The cost of machinery alone is calculated at 
$20,000. The capacity of the mill at present is 16,000,000 feet of 
lumber. lu 1880" there were 2,900,134 laths manufactured, 2,000,- 
000 staves, and headings for 125,000 barrels — all giving employ- 
ment to 92 men. 

The first, salt well bored for this company reached a depth of 
816 feet; the second, 816, bored in 1S75; the 3d, sunk in 1876, 808 
feet, and the fourth in 1880,808 feet. The buildings are 300x265 
feet, containing six cisterns of 125 barrels each; 8 grainers 133 ft. 
long by 9 ft. wide; three settlers 233 feet long, 5 deep and 8-| feet 
wide; with cooper-shop capable of turning out 400 salt barrels per 
day. The capacity of the salt-factory is estimated at 45,000 barrels 
per annum. 

The machinery consists of six boilers, each 315^x16 feet, 92 
three-inch flues, one boiler 4x16 feet with 29 four-inch flues, 
one double engine for circular saw, one engine for gang saw, 
together with the large engine. The warehouse is large 
enough to contain 7,000 barrels salt in bulk and 7,000 in barrels. The 
railroad track enters the yard, where it is an almost daily proceed- 
ing to load 13 cars with the products of this factory. 

Eaton, Potter <& CoSs Mills, etc. — The first saw-mill operated by 
this company was built in 1861 for the A. A. S. & L. Co., forming a 
plain, two-story structure, 28x70 ft., with a capacity ofl 0,000,000 feet 
per year. In 1879 the mill was rebuilt and now forms a two-story 
house 44x150 feet, with a wing 25x60 feet and engine-room 60x70 
feet. There are six large boilers in use, with a full line of the finest 
machinery. The mill and salt-works of this company cover an 
area of ten acres. The season's capacity of the saw-mill is esti- 
mated at 15,000,000 feet, offering direct employment to 61 men. 

The first salt well was bored to a depth of 812 feet in 1861, by 
the A. A. S. & L. Co. ; the second in 1S78, to a depth of S16, and the 
third in 1880 to a similar depth. There are two salt blocks, one 
44x270 feet, the second 50x180 feet. There are six cisterns, with 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 53 t 

an aggregate capacity of 600 barrels, together with grainers, set- 
tlers, and all the moaus operandi of the salt manufacture. The 
works are under the superintendence of AY. IT. Canifrey and give 
employment to 10 men. The product for 1880 was 25,500 barrels, 
all shipped in bulk. 

Wood & Reynold's Lumber and Salt Factory. — The saw-mill 
was erected in 1879, at a cost of $13,000, and machinery placed 
therein the same year, valued at $12,000. In 1880 there were 18,- 
000,000 shingles manufactured here, and it is presumed the full 
capacity of the mill, 25,000,000, will be reached during the season 
of 1S81. The shingle mill and saltworks give employment to 50 
men. 

The first salt well, now operated by Wood & Reynolds, was 
bored to a depth of 785 feet in ls<'>4; the second well was sunk in 
L879 to a similar depth; and the third well in June, 1881, to a 
depth of 800 feet. The product of the two wells in operation in 
L880 was 26,232 barrels of salt. This year the production will 
reach between 40,000 and 50,000 barrels'. The salt block is 60x160 
feet, with warehouse 35x<io, capable of storing 3,000 barrels in 
bulk. There are 12 cisterns, of an aggregate capacity of 1,500 
barrels of brine; six grainers, each 135 feet, and one 75 feet long; 
one settler with a capacity of 300 barrels, with 500 solar covers 16 
xl6 feet each. The solar house is 30x100 feet, one-story high; the 
men's boarding-house is a pretentious structure, and with the 
railroad track, depot, stores, offices, etc., forms a villaga spread 
over 45 acres. 

C. L. Grant & Co. h Mill was built in 1870-'l, and with the 
machinery cost $10,000. The mill building is 34x92 feet, two 
stories high. The engine bouse is well equipped, the machinery 
new. and everything in connection with the concern arranged in 
business-like form. The mill gives employment to 55 men, and 
produces 5,00(1,000 feet of manufactured lumber annually. 

Wiggins, Coope d- Go's. Saw-Mill. — This mill was erected in 
June, 1881, by Wiggins & Cooper, on the site of the old Bundy 
& Younian's salt works. Tie proprietors are evidently making 
preparations to enter into a most extensive manufacturing business. 
If' .1. O* DonnelV s Salt Works. — The principal well in connec- 
tion with these works was bored in 1878 to a depth of 975 feet. 
The daily product of the factory equals 90 barrels. The salt block 
is a building 14x80 feet, with a wing, storage shed 100x70 feet, 
four cisterns, of an aggregate capacity of 540 barrels, and all the 
machinery known to the salt manufacturer. 

Finney d- Moorman'* Lumber and Salt Factory. — This mill 
was erected in 1862. The season's capacity is estimated at 4.0oo.oo0 
feet. The salt works in connection with the mill produce 15.000 
barrels annually. The salt block is 120x40 feet, supplied with all 
the accessories of salt manufacture. The four cisterns are of a 
capacity of 500 barrels. 

J. H. Cook & CoSs Shingle and Salt Factory. — The shingle 
mill was erected at South Saginaw in 18S0. Tiie building is 



53S HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

22x24, supplied with sufficient machinery for the preparation of 
1,000,000 'shingles. The product of this mill for 18S0 was 600,000 
shingles. About the same period the shingle factory was built, a 
saltwell was bored to a depth of 830 feet, and a drill house 20x40 
erected. There are three cisterns, of 165 barrels each, with the 
kettles, etc., for the manufacture of salt. The annual product is 
15,000 barrels. 

Martindale Bros? Mill and Salt Works. — The shingle mill 
was built in 1868, and with the engine house, machinery, etc., 
cost $15,000. In 18S1 the mill was enlarged, new machinery in- 
troduced, and the old improved, bringing the valuation of the 
concern, at present, to $25,000. The mill gives employment to 30 
men, and produces 20,000,000 shingles annually. 

A salt well was bored to a depth" of S44 feet in 1878, and a salt 
block 48x176 feet erected. Subsequently two blocks were constructed, 
with a capacity for manufacturing 15,000 barrels of salt yearly. 
The cisterns, grainers and all the appointments of a first-class 
salt factory are found here. 

H. Turner's Salt Works. — This well is among the pioneer 
wells of the Valley. It was sunk in 1862, and reached a depth of 
825 feet. The salt block is 50x150 feet. The cisterns, settlers 
and grainers are well arranged. A warehouse and cooperage are 
in connection with the block. 

Nelson Holland's Saw-Mill unci Salt Works. — The saw-mill, 
erected in 1878-'9, is a two-story building 50x150 feet, with wing 
18x60, and engine house 40x50. The steam is supplied from six 
large boilers, and the machinery in use has been selected from the 
most approved patterns. The actual product of the mill in 1880 
was 17.500,000 feet sawn lumber, but its estimated capacity exceeds 
this amount. 

There are four salt wells, of an average depth of 730 feet, capable 
of supplying 250 barrels of brine per day. The salt block is a 
massive strucftire, 140x150 feet; the cooper shop in which the 
salt barrels are made is extensive, while the sheds, warehouses, 
etc., cover a large area. The number of barrels of salt manufact- 
ured in 1880 was 39.872. 

The salt and lumber industries offer direct employment to 100 
men, and rank among the great enterprises of the Valley. The 
works occupy the site of the first mill erected on the east bank of 
the river. 

The Michigan Dairy Salt Company was organized April IS, 1877, 
with a capital stock of $25,000. The officers of the company at 
present are: J. A. Hamilton, President, W. J. Bartow, Sec. and 
Treas.; D. L. C. Eaton, Ezra Rust, W. J. Bartow and Thomas 
Cranage, jr., Directors. The manufacture of dairy salt for this 
company reaches 40,000 barrels annually. 

The Salt Association of Michigan was organized under authority 
of a Legislative act approved Feb. 5, 1S53, for the purpose of 
manufacturing *' and dealing in salt, and to engage in the trans- 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 539 

portation of its products to market." The capital stock was set 
down at $200,000, in 8,000 shares; while the amount subscribed was 
two dollars per share. The articles of association provided that 
the organization be managed by a board of directors, each member 
to be a manufacturer of salt in the State, as well as a member of 
the association. This board comprises 16 directors, elected by the 
stockholders, with offices at I>a} T City and East Saginaw. Article 
VII of the Constitution states that " this association shall exist 
as a corporation for the period of five years from and after the 31st 
day of March. 1881." The names of the charter members or 
original stockholders are as follows: — 

N. 1). Bradley Bay City 50 Shares. 

John L Dolson, for Dolson, Chapin & Co .. " 50 

Thus. Cranage, jr., for Pitts & Cranage.... " 100 " 

Geo C. Greenwood, for Chapin, Barber & 

Co " 50 •• 

John McEwen " 20 " 

L. I). Malone " 50 " 

J. R. Hall " 50 " 

Folsom & Arnold, per Alexander Folsom.. . " 100 li 

F E. Bradley, for F. B. Bradley & Co " 50 " 

Clark Moulthrop i " 

C E. Lewis \ " 20 " 

Edwin Eddy, for Eddy, Avery & Eddy.... East Saginaw, 100 " 

W. C McClure, for Hamilton, McClure .V.. 

Co " 50 " 

Tempi.- E. Doar, for Murphy & Dorr " 50 " 

Geo. Rust, for J. F. & I). W. Rust & Co. . . " 50 " 

W. R. Burt " 200 " 

.J. Bartow, for Jesse Jloyt " 200 

. L. Remington " 50 " 

D. G. Holland u 50 " 

G.F.Williams Saginaw City 100 " 

At present the membership includes 80 manufacturers, with 
W. R. Burt, President; Albert Miller, V. P.: Thomas Cranage, jr., 
Treasurer; and D. G. Holland, Secretary. The association controls 
3,000,000 barrels salt, or 90 per cent, of all the salt manufactured 
in the State annually. 

Carlisle's Tannery. — This leather manufactory was established 
in 1802, by F. W. Carlisle. It was burned in 1866, and rebui't the 
same year. It is located near the East Saginaw Salt Works, in the 
northern part of the city. Its capacity is 16,000 sides per annum, 
and it is crowded to its full capacity. The number of men employed 
is 10. The hides which are manufactured into leather here are nil 
purchased from the markets in this city and immediate vicinity. 
In 1S60 this pioneer tannery was established by John Franke, a 
German tanner. This closed on the opening of the Carlisle yard. 

HANKS. 

The history of the banking concerns of East Saginaw necessarily 
holds a high place in the history of the city. That they have been 
instrumental in advancing the city is conceded by every one; for 



540 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

without the capital, the efforts of enterprise would fail to reach 
these grand results, which with its aid they achieved. A good deal 
has been written on the banks of East Saginaw. W. K. Bates, 
Geo. F. Lewis and others may be said to have collected many if not 
all the facts in connection with these financial institutions; therefore 
the labor of searching out a history ah initio is saved to the com- 
piler, additions to what has already been written being only 
necessary. 

The first banking house established in the city was that of W. L. 
P. Little & Co., established in 1855, with an office in the rooms 
subsequently occupied by W. J. Bartow. 

In August, 1856, the office was removed to the Bancroft House 
block, where the Lumber Exchange is now located. The capital 
was $10,000. This was until 1860 the only bank or banking 
office in the following counties: Saginaw, Bay, Tuscola, Alcona, 
Iosco, Alpena, Midland, Gratiot, Isabella and Cheboygan. In 
October, James F. Brown, Esq., the present well-known and 
highly esteemed president of the Merchants' National Bank, be- 
came connected with the bank of W. L. P. Little & Co. in the 
capacity of general utility man. lie not only paid out money, 
wrote drafts and attended to correspondence, but collected checks 
and drafts, built fires and swept out the office. In 1860 the capi- 
tal was increased to $20,000, and business established on a thor- 
ough banking principle. The Little Banking Company continued 
to exist under that title in 1S65, when, after a career of 10 years, 
it changed its name to the " Merchants 1 National Bank." 

The Merchants' National Bank. — In August, 1865, the organi- 
zation of the "Merchants'' National Bank" was first discussed; in 
October of that year a charter was granted, and Jan. 1, 1866, the 
banking office of W. L. P. Little ite Co. was merged in the Mer- 
chants' National, with W. L. P. Little as President, James F. Brown, 
Cashier, and Douglas Hoyt, Assistant Cashier. Col. Little died in 
December, 1867, and immediately thereafter James F. Brown was 
elected President, Douglas Hoyt, Cashier, and L. C. Storrs, Esq., 
Assistant Cashier. 

In 1861 Ed. H. Paul became connected with the institution, 
and for nine years performed in a highly satisfactory manner the 
duties of teller. Last year, on account of partial failure of his 
eyes, he was compelled to leave the institution. The present 
officers are J. F. Brown, President, and Douglas Hoyt, Cashier. 
The office of assistant cashier has been dispensed with, L. C. 
Storrs, Esq., being at present assistant treasurer of the F. & P. 
M. Railway. When this bank was first organized under the 
National Banking Law. its capital was $200,000, Since that time 
an elegant stone building has been erected for it on Washington 
avenue, at an expense of over $50,000. The condition of this im- 
portant banking house is shown forth in the following exhibit, 
given under date of May 6, 1881. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 541 



RESOURCES. 



Loan- and discounts .$ 55(5,796 72 

Overdrafts 008 16 

r S. bonds to secure circulation 125,000 00 

Other stocks, bonds and mortgages 31,500 00 

Due from approved reserve agants 77,491 40 

Due from other National hanks 37,381 50 

Dm' from stair hanks ami bankers 268 00 

Real estate, furniture and fixtures 54,523 00 

Current expens°s and tnxes paid 4,613 28 

Checks ami other cash items 120 56 

Bills of other banks 11,280 00 

Fractional paper currency, nickels and pennies 275 56 

B ■ (Gold ' 157,789 47 

" ) Silver 16,940 10 

74,729,57 

Legal tender uotes 100,559 00 

Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (5 per cent, of circulation).. 5,625 00 

Dim from U. S. Treasurer, other than 5 per cent, redemption fund. . 3 000 00 

Total $1,083,832 41 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital stock paid in $ 200,000 00 

Surplus fund 100,000 00 

Undivided profits 69,848 74 

National bank notes outstanding 112,500 00 

Individual deposits subject to check 522,79(1 10 

Demand certificates of deposit 38,952 30 

Due to State banks and hankers 39,741 27 

Total $1,083,832 41 

Douglas Iloyt is the present Cashier, B. B. Buckhout, Wm. L. 
Webber and II. C. Potter, Directors. 

Th< Hirst National Bank has a capital paid in of $100,000, 
with an authorized capital of $250,000. The bank was opened in 
January, 1865. Since that time semi-annual dividends of from 
five to seven per cent., over and above all taxation, have been paid 
to the stockholders. The present surplus is over $40,000. It is 
stated that no bad debts have been contracted, and the institution 
is in a flourishing condition. The office is in the Bancroft House 
block, on Washington avenue. The first officers were E. T. Judd, 
President; C. K. Robinson, Cashier; and L. A. Clark, Teller, and 
its capital when first started was $50,000. 

Tlit Sagina/m Valley Bank was established by Fay, Bliss & Co., 
in L863. Its business was extensive for a time; but owing to the 
increase of such institutions, the capital employed was withdrawn 
and invested otherwise. 

Second National Bank. — A history of the Second National 
Bank of this city would be incomplete without a reference to the 
banking house of C. K. Robinson & Co. This bank was estab- 
lished in January, 1866. the building being erected upon a portion 
of the ground where the old Exchange Hotel stood " before the 



542 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

lire." The capital with which trie bank started was $20,000, of 
which C. K. Kobinson, Dr. Geo. W. Fish, W. W. Woodhull and 
N. C. Richardson each put in $5,000. Mr. Robinson was made 
manager, and Will E. Mclvnight teller and bookkeeper. In the 
fall of 1867, Mr. Woodhull having sunk $100,000 in a hop specu- 
lation, retired and withdrew his interest. In 1868 Mr. Richardson 
died, and his interest was withdrawn. In the summer of 1870 
Dr. Fish withdrew his interest, and in December, 1870, W. E. 
McKnight became disconnected with it, leaving " O. K.," as he is 
known, the sole representative of the original concern. In January, 
1871, Alice L. Coats became an equal partner with Mr. R., having 
invested $5,000. March 12, 1872, the banking house was changed 
to " The Second National Bank of East Saginaw.' , The capital 
was made $200,000. The first officers were: C. K. Robinson. Presi- 
dent; R. G. Horr, Cashier, and W. H. Coats, Assistant Cashier. 
Directors — C. K. Robinson, R. G. Horr, A. B. Wood, Geo. W. 
Morley and F. P. Sears. The present officers are R. G. Horr, 
President; W. H. Coats, Cashier. Directors — C. K. Robinson, 
It. G. Horr, Geo. W. Morley, A. B. Wood and C. L. Ortmann. 

East Saginaw Savings Banking Company was organized in 
March, 187*^, and incorporated April 1, under State charter, with a 
capital of $100,000. The present officers are: H.-C. Potter. President; 
Edwin Eddy, V. P., and A. Schupp, Sec. and Treas. 

This bank offers its services to the public generally as a safe and 
reliable place in which to deposit savings. Deposits as low as $1 
are received and interest paid on deposits. 

A private bank was established by John Gallagher & Com- 
pany, Jan. 10, 1870, and one by J. A. Hollon, Thurber& Company, 
in 1868. The business of these concerns was of a most extensive 
character, and the high reputation of the bankers known through- 
out the commercial circles of the State. 

THE CITY STREET RAILWAY COMPANY 

was incorporated Nov. 10, 1864, and three miles of track laid 
down, extending to South Saginaw, April 4, 1S65. ffm. H. Bar- 
tow was the first superintendent. The capital stock of this com- 
pany is $60,000. The running of the cars and all matters con- 
trolled by the company are managed systematically.. 

EAST SAGINAW GAS-LIGHT COMPANY. 

This corn pan v was organized Mav 23, 1863, with a capital stock 
of $50,000. The first President was Henry Day, of New York; 
James L. Ketcham was first Yice President and Treasurer, and 
Julius K. Rose, Secretary. Charles H. Burton attended to the 
details, and sometimes entered the meters, made out the bills and 
collected them all in one day. This, however, does not seem so 



CITY OF EAST 8AGINAW. 543 

strange when it is remembered that the number of consumers only- 
reached about 75 at first. 

In October, 1S66, the capital stock was increased to $150,000. 
In 1873 the " New Gas Works" were erected at a cost of $75,000, 
on the site of the Emerson mill. 

THE WATER WORKS. 

The Board of Water Commissioners was formed under an act of 
the Michigan Legislature, approved Feb. 28, 1873. The first com- 
missioners appointed under this act were W. R. Burt, James G. 
Terry, John G. Owen, Conrad Fey, and II. H. Hoyt. The officers 
elected were as follows: President, John G. Owen; Treasurer, W. 
R.Burt; Secretary, Ferd A. Ashley. The machinery cost $32,000. 
The total cost of the water works to Dec. 31, 1S73, was $273,354.29. 
The original amount authorized to be expended was $300,000. On 
a special recommendation of the Governor during an extra session 
of the Legislature, an additional issue of $50,000 was authorized, 
thus giving a capital of about $70,000 for interest, extensions and 
working expenses for the ensuing year. The works were completed 
in 1873, and accepted by the city Jan. 10, 1874. They are located 
3J miles above the center of the city, almost opposite the confluence 
of the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers, with 24 miles of water 
mains coursing through the streets and avenues. There were 
issued in 1S73 water bonds bearing 8 percent, semi-annual interest, 
to the amount of $300,000. For the purpose of extending the 
pipes and completing the works, the Legislature of Michigan, at its 
special session in March of the present year, authorized the issue 
of $50,000 additional water bonds, provided a majority of the 
voters should favor such issue. The question was submitted at the 
special election held April 6, 1874, and a very large majority of the 
electors voting thereon, voted in favor of such additional issue. 
These bonds were issued in accordance with the authority confer- 
red. They bear date May 1. 1874, and are in sums of $500 each, 
payable 12 years from their date, with semi-annual interest coupons 
attached, payable on the first of November and May of each year, 
both principal and interest payable at the Merchants' Exchange 
National Bank in the city of New York. 

SAGINAW VALLEY MINING COMPANY. 

The organization of a company of Saginaw capitalists was per- 
fected in May, 1881, having for its object the development of the 
gold and silver mines of Dumont, Colorado. The officers elected 
at the first meeting of stockholders are as follows: President, L. 
T. Durand; Vice-President, J. N. Eldred; Treasurer, James A. 
Weaver; Secretary, Joshua Tuthill. The company have several 
valuable claims which promise very rich developments, the reports 
received from those on the ground being very flattering. A quan- 
tity of the mineral ore taken from the several lodes and neighbor- 



544 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

ing claims are on exhibition at the office of the secretary, Mr. 
Joshua Tuthill, Wisner block, and the company is now making 
active preparations for pushing the development of their property. 

THE UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE 

was removed to East Saginaw from Flint in March, 1857, and 
opened in the former city, April 1, 1857. The office was estab- 
lished at Flint in 1836. Upon removal to East Saginaw, the office 
of register was filled by Moses B. Hess, and that of receiver by the 
late Col. W. L. P. Little. These gentlemen held their respective 
offices until the inauguration of President Lincoln. Hon. J. F. 
Driggs became register and C. K. Robinson receiver, in April, 1861. 
Mr. Driggs was elected to Congress in 1862. and retired from the 
land office in the early part of 1863, his place being filled by II. C. 
Driggs. In 1866, Andrew Johnson made several changes among 
Government officers in the United States, and Messrs. C. K. Rob- 
inson and H. C. Driggs were among the decapitated ones. Their 
places were filled by M. W. Quackenbush as receiver, and Isaac 
Worden as register. These gentlemen remained in office until the 
fall of the Johnson djmasty, when Thomas Savior was appointed 
receiver, and Henry 0. Ripley was made register. These gentle- 
men held their offices four years when Robert L. Warren was 
appointed receiver and W. R. Bates register. Thev took posses- 
sion of the offices May 10, 1871. Oct. l", 1872, R. L. Warren re- 
signed, when Maj. Albert A. Day was appointed to fill that office. 
Charles Doughty, the present United States land commissioner, 
was appointed registrar in 1S77. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

To complete the history of East Saginaw we present on the fol- 
lowing pages brief personal notices of many of the pioneers and 
leading citizens. While their lives in this county constitute a 
legitimate and essential element of its history, they will also be 
found interesting, especially to their neighbors, — in many cases 
more interesting than any other portion of this volume. 

Louis D' Armstaeller, brewer, East Saginaw T , was born on the 
River Rhine in Germany, in 1840. He went to school until 10 years 
of age, when he accompanied his parents to America. They lo- 
cated at Detroit, Mich., where his father built the first brewery in 
that city. The machinery was brought from Pittsburg, Pa. In 
1861 Louis enlisted in the 17th Mo., Western Turner Rifles, of 
St. Louis, and rapidly arose to positions of honor and trust. He 
was promoted Captain of Co. D, on Jan. 1, 1863, by order of Gen. 
Siegel, and was discharged in 1864. He owns an extensive brew- 
ery at East Saginaw, known as the Saginaw Brewing Company. 

William. Baker (deceased) was born in Yorkshire, Eng., and 
worked seven years at Pickering, in learning his trade. He came 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 545 

across the waters over 50 years ago, and settled in Nova Scotia, 
where he bought a grist-mill, which lie operated for 11 years, lie 
settled atRichmond, Ohio; thence to Newberry; thence to Indi- 
ana, and after a year's residence there, came to Saginaw county. 
He died at Fort Hope, Canada. Jan. 29, 1880. He was a member 
of the firm of Baker & Son, manufacturers of carriages and wagons, 
and a well-known citizen of the Saginaw Valley. 

F. Barbier was horn in France in 1828, where he was brought 
up and educated. On coming to America he landed in New York 
April 6, 1859, and located in Watertown, N. Y., where lie re- 
mained three- years, working at the tanner's trade, which he 
learned in France. In 1802 he went to Buffalo, and remained 
there 22 months. March 2, 1864, he came to Saginaw and located 
on the west side of the river, in the village of Florence, where lie 
built the first business house in that locality. He started a grocery 
and liquor store combined, which he ran for six years. In the 
meantime he built a saw-mill in Carrollton, ran it for eight months 
and sold it to William Callum. In 1865 he began running barges 
and sews on the river and lakes, carrying lumber and general 
merchandise to and from different ports. In 1872 he bought the 
building where lie is now located, on Genesee street, and opened 
a liquor and cigar store. This he lias successfully run ever since. 
He was married Jan. 0, 1856, at Paris, France, to Mary A. 
Barbier, a cousin of his. Mr. Barbier has made his wealth during 
his careerin Saginaw. When he first came here he was com- 
paratively a poor man, while to-day he owns, besides the property 
mentioned, eight houses in the county, and deals extensively in 
real estate. 

William Barie, merchant, was born at Detroit, Mich., Feb. 16, 
1839, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Mayer) Barie, 
natives of Germany. He was reared in Detroit, receiving the edu- 
cational facilities afforded by the public schools of that city. In 
1850 he came to East Saginaw, but soon after occurred the death 
of his father. He then went to Pennsylvania, where he remained 
some years. In 1858 he opened a restaurant at East Saginaw, and 
a year later started a grocery store. Business increased very rap- 
idly, and he soon after added a stock of dry goods. Finding the' 
sale of the latter more profitable, he closed out his stock of groceries, 
and gave his entire time and attention to the dry-goods trade. In 
1878 he removed to his present quarters, where he occupies a 
three-story brick, filled with one of the largest dry-goods stocks in 
the Saginaw Valley, and fitted up with all the conveniences neces- 
sary. Mr. Barie was married in 1S62, to Gabriella Otto, who was 
born in Germany in 1S44. They have 6 children — William, 
Adella, Mary, Elsie, Blanche and Otelia. Mr. Barie is a member 
of the I. O.O. F. fraternity. 

A. F. Bartlett (deceased) was a native of Reading, Pa. He was 
reared to manhood in his native city, and when young learned 
surveying. He subsequently established a transportation business, 



* 



546 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

having offices at Philadelphia and New York. When the civil war 
commenced he enlisted in a Pennsylvania cavalry regiment, as 1st 
Lient. He served through a portion of that memorable conflict, 
and during this time was on a spirited horse, which became a great 
favorite with the soldiers. The horse died in 1S80, and was buried 
by Mr. Bartlett's brother, at the old homestead, with all his war 
trappings. At the age of 21, while a resident of Reading, Mr. B. 
was elected to represent that district in the Pennsylvania Legislat- 
ure, and enjoyed the honor of being the youngest member in that 
body. He was also chief of the Reading Fire Department. In 1866 
he located at East Saginaw, where he became established in the iron 
and galvanizing business. This latter process was only an experi- 
ment, and he was the first to establish it west of Cleveland, Ohio. 
This experiment proved satisfactory, supplying a needed demand 
by the business of the Valley. In February, 1878, Mr. B. married 
Louise, daughter of T. B. Corning, of East Saginaw, and the happy 
pair started on an extended tour through the Southern States. 
Mr. Bartlett was in failing health, and it was hoped a change 
might be beneficial to him, but the result proved otherwise. Three 
months after their marriage, he died at Boerne, Texas, leaving the 
widowed bride to seek her Northern home 'mid sorrow, and 
the warm and heartfelt sympathy of a whole community. Mr. 
Bartlett was tenderly laid at rest in the family vault, at Brady 
Hill cemetery. He was a member of the Knights Templar, of 
East Saginaw, also of Philadelphia. A. F. Bartlett was a warm 
and generous-hearted citizen, the very soul of honor and integ- 
rity, and an exemplary member of the Congregational Church. 
His loss was deeply mourned by his many friends and acquaint- 
ances, and by East Saginaw as an enterprising and public-spirited 
citizen. Mrs. Bartlett is a member of the firm of A. F. Bartlett 
& Co., the business being carried on by the other partner, Henry 
Spindler. 

Herbert E. Borden, of Borden & McLean, grocers, Potter St., 
East Saginaw, was born at Frankfort, Herkimer Co., N. Y.,. Feb. 
14, 1858, and is of English ancestry. He attended school until 18 
years of age, and his first occupation was newsagent, on the F. & 
P. M. R. R. He worked in the shops of that road one year, and 
was subsequently a clerk for five years. In May, 1880, the present 
firm entered into business. 

George J. Brink, proprietor Tuscola House, East Saginaw, was 
born in Wayne Co., Pa., Sept. 21. 1823. In 1844 he located 
near Port Huron, St. Clair Co., Mich., where he was engaged in 
lumbering until 1862. He was engaged in business at Shiawassee, 
South Saginaw, Freeland Station, Saginaw City, Farrandville, 
Genesee Co., keeping'hotel the greater portion of the time, and in 
1879 leased the Tuscola House, on the N. E. corner of Johnson and 
Franklin streets, for a term of five years. He was married in St. 
Clair Co., Mich., Feb. 16, 1851, to Delia Hellipee, who was born 
in Erie Co., Pa., June 2, 1831 . They have 2 children, Ida May, 



/ 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 547 

born at Kimball, St. Clair Co., Mich., Feb. 16, 1852, and Guy K., 
born at the same place Sept. 5, 1853. 

John C. Brown, dealer in logs, etc., East Saginaw, is a native of 
New York, and located at East Saginaw in 1869. He established 
his present business in 1872. From that time until 1881, he has 
invested in pine lands, in Midland and other counties. He has two 
valuable farms, one of which, not far from East Saginaw, is worth 
$100 per acre, and is one of the best improved and most productive 
farms in the State. On this, in 1879, he erected a residence and 
two barns. One of these barns cost $1,600, is 40x80 feet in size, 
two stories in height, and a perfect model of an equine palace. 

R. Brushe, druggist and chemist, and dealer in drugs, medicines, 
wines and liquors, and a tine assortment of fancy and toilet articles, 
began business in 1875, at the corner of Jefferson and Genesee streets, 
which he still has possession of. He has a neat store, which is run 
in a most attractive manner, and has a large prescription trade. 
He was born in the province of Schlesia, Prussia, in 1851, and 
came to America when but three years old, with his parents, who 
located in Saginaw. He was reared and educated here, and in 1865 
began clerking in different stores; in 1868entered the drug business 
with L. Simoneau, was with him seven years, after which he took a 
four-months tour to Europe. He returned to Saginaw, opened 
business for himself, and has been successfully engaged in it for six 
years. In the spring of 1882 Mr. Bruske calculates to branch out 
and enlarge his business on account of his increasing trade. 

Joseph T. Bumliam, of Burnham & Still, salt and lumber 
manufacturers, East Saginaw, was born at Berlin, Erie Co., Ohio, 
July 30, 1824. He is a son of Ellsworth and Maria (Walker) 
Burnham, natives of Connecticut. Joseph was reared on a farm 
and attended the district schools in winter, assisting his father on 
the farm and in a saw-mill in the summer seasons. When young, 
he built a saw-mill at Berlin, which was destroyed by fire. Another 
mill erected on the same site suffered the same fate, and in May, 
1856, he came to Saginaw county. He first located at St. Charles, 
where, in connection with three others, he bought a saw-mill and a 
large tract of pine land; also kept a "country store." Four years later 
the mill was idestroyed by fire, and in 1863 Mr. B. located at Sag- 
inaw City. Soon after he puchased an interest in the Freeto & 
Smith mill property, at South Saginaw, and after passing through 
several hands the mill was burned, in 1867. It was rebuilt in 
1868, and a shingle-mill erected, which shared the luck of its pre- 
decessors three years later. Mr. Burnham has suffered the loss of 
six mills, in which he had whole or part interest. He was Post- 
master at St. Charles for two years, and has served as Alderman of 
East Saginaw. He is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. 
fraternities. He was married in October, 1848, to Julia A., a daugh- 
ter of Sheldon and Sallie (Osborn) Hurd, a native of Berlin, Erie 
Co., O. They have 4 children — Ella A., wife of C. N. Palmer; 
Sarah A., wife of W. H. Morgan ; Frank E. and J. T. 

33 



548 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

'Caffery Bros., dealers in agricultural implements, wagons and 
carriages, East Saginaw. This firm was established April 20, 1880, 
and in one short year their business has assumed stupendous pro- 
portions. They have erected a two-story brick warehouse on Gene- 
see ave., at a cost of $8,000, where they store the immense 
quantities of goods received weekly. This firm have 75 local agents 
distributed throughout the State, and give employment to four 
first-class salesmen. The firm was formerly located at Pinkney, 
Mich. 

A. W. S. Calderwood was born in Scotland, May 25, 1845, and 
is a son of Peter Calderwood, who emigrated to Canada in 1855. 
Our subject came to South Saginaw in the fall of 1865. In 1868 he 
engaged in the mercantile trade in this place. He keeps a full line 
of dry goods, clothing, millinery and furnishing goods. His sales 
amount to $10,000 annually, and are steadily increasing, for Mr. 
Calderwood is a live business man, keeps up with the times, and 
sells cheap. He also owns a half interest in the grocery store of 
Calderwood & Smith. He was married in 1873 to Miss Ellen M. 
Yanliew, by whom he has 1 daughter, Jennie. 

Mr. Camp, of Sample <k Camp, manufacturers of lumber, lath 
and salt, East Saginaw, was born in Grinnell Co., Ohio, in 1826. 
He received an academic education, and was engaged in farming 
until the war, when he was a soldier in the 40,000 men Ohio sent 
to garrison Union forts. He was stationed at Arlington Heights. 
During the war lie organized the 64th Reg. Ohio Yol. Inf. Band, 
and was its teacher. He was a Tp. Trustee while in Ohio. Mr. 
Camp came to Saginaw City in 1873, but did not remove his family 
there until 1878. 

Joseph Carr, of McKnight & Carr, blacksmiths, corner Johnson 
and Franklin streets, East Saginaw, was born at Dunville, Monk 
Co., Canada, May 6, 1848, and is of English and Irish ancestry. 
When 12 years of age he left home and went to Buffalo, N". Y. , 
where he drove a coal cart for one year. He was a sailor on the 
lakes for three years, a blacksmith at Dunville, Canada, three 
years and a half; in 1870 came to East Saginaw, and worked on a 
tug one year; worked in a saw-mill and feed store; then as black- 
smith for Charles A. Dolliver for eight years; then in business for 
himself 11 months, and the present partnership was formed March 
1, 1881. In the spring of 1877 he purchased a house and lot at 
the Penoyer farm, valued at $1,000. He is a member of the East 
Saginaw Reform Club; was married at East Saginaw, May 11, 1871, 
to Effie Inez Elliott, who was born near Detroit, Mich. They have 
one child, Ivy I., born at Saginaw City, Feb. 25, 1881. 

Elijah S. Catlin is an old settler of Saginaw Yalley, having 
located at Bay City in 1848. He came by way of Flint on the 
State road to Saginaw. The road was paved with logs and the journey 
was tedious. Saginaw was a village of about 500 inhabitants at that 
time, and there was one house, a log structure, in East Saginaw, near 
where the Bancroft House now stands. Emerson's mill was also 
on the east side of the river, surrounded by its half-a-dozen cabins. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 549 

Mr. Catlin passed down the river to Bay City, which at that time 
was a village of 1.') families. lie remained in Bay City until 1859, 
when he came to East Saginaw, where he has since resided. Mr. 
Catlin informs us that the first salt <>t" Saginaw Valley was made in 
East Saginaw in 1860. While in Bay City he was a clerk, and 
after coining to East Saginaw, became bookkeeper for a lumber 
firm, which position he held for live years, when he engaged in 
the commission business, also inspecting and shipping lumber, 
which he has followed until the present time. Mr. Catlin was 
born in Schuyler Co., N. Y., May 14, 1820, and is a son of Lee- 
man and Betsey Catlin. He was married in 1858 to Miss Martha 
E. Wellman, by whom he has 3 children — Joseph E., Carrie and 
Charles S. 

Alexander II. Clark, of (lark Bros., grocery and meat market 
was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, June 6, 1848. and is a son ot 
Robert and Hannah (Clark) Clark. He attended school, and at 15 
years old was apprenticed to the slater's trade, where he remained 
four years. In 1866 he came to the United States, locating at 
East Saginaw. In 1871 he started in business, and in 1878 his 
brother entered into full partnership. They have $1,500 invested 
in groceries, £1,000 in the meat department, and $1,000 worth 
of slate for roofing constantly on hand. Mr. Clark was married 
at East Saginaw, April 4, 1871, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas 
and Elizabeth (McGregor) Steel, who was born near Detroit, Mich., 
July 18, 1850. Or' their 3 children, 1 is living, Robert, 
born Nov. 2, 1874. Esther was born April 1, 1872, and died in 
July, 1872, and Elizabeth was born Oct. 12, 1876, and died April 
1, 1877. Mr. Clark is connected with the Masonic order, and his 
wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

S. G. Clay, formerly manager of the Academy of Music, East 
Saginaw, was born at Bath, England, in 1818. When 12 years of 
age he went on board a man of war, where he practiced instru- 
mental music for three years. At the end of this time he went on 
board the vessel "Spit-Fire," off the coast of Algiers, and subse- 
quently came to America, locating at Philadelphia, where his 
parents had previously settled. Mr. Clay has been engaged in 
managing theaters and theatrical companies for over 30 years. In 
1852 he was the manager of the Bidwell Hall at Adrian, Mich., 
and was subsequently a teacher of band music at Detroit, Flush 
ing, Flint and East Saginaw. He has been in charge of the 
Academy of Music from 1859 to 1881. 

H. Coleman, proprietor livery establishment, East Saginaw, 
was born in Livingston Co., New York, where he was also edu- 
cated. In 1862 he enlisted in the 136th Reg. N.T. Vol. Inf., and 
served three years fighting for "Uncle Sam." He was for one 
year on a detached service. In 1865 he went into partnership with 
J. J. Harvey, of East Saginaw, and they opened a hotel and livery 
at Howell, Mich., where they remained two years. They then 
opened a livery at East Saginaw, and were in partnership until 



550 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

1878, when the firm was dissolved, Mr. Coleman purchasing Mr. 
Harvey's interest. Mr. C. has also one of the largest undertaking 
establishments in the city in connection with his liver} 7 . Mr. 
Coleman was married in January, 1867, to Minerva II. Thomas, a 
native of New York. 

John H. Cook, of the firm of J. H. Cook & Co., is a native 
of Cayuga Co., New York, and was born March 9, 1811. 
His father, John Cook, was a native of New Jersey. Mr. Cook 
was brought up on a farm, and his early education was obtained 
in the common schools. He came to Saginaw county in 1851, 
and here resided on a farm. He served for over two years during 
the late war, in Co. C, 7th Mich. Cavalry, participating in the 
battles of Gettysburg and others, and was wounded at the former 
place. He was in the employ of the Boom Company here for 11 
years. He, with Mr. John Howard, purchased their present salt 
block, and erected a shingle mill in 1880. 

Mr. Cook was married in November, 1867, to Miss Polly A. 
Baker, daughter of William Baker, East Dayton, Mich. 

T. B. Coming (deceased) was born at Williston, near Burling- 
ton, Vt., in 1802, and was the son of a noted physician of the 
Green Mountain State. When quite young he went to Boston, 
and subsequently to Rochester, N. Y., where, he entered the 
employ of Ephraim Moore, a prominent merchant of that city. 
Sometime after, Mr. Corning went to Webster, N. Y., where, in 
connection with his brother William, he transacted a prosperous 
business in a general store. About, this time he was married to 
Ann E. Dickinson, of Lyons, N. Y. The brothers afterward 
established a banking house at Rochester, N. Y., under the firm 
name of T. B. & W. Corning, which house is still doing a thriving 
business. Mr. Corning located at Detroit, Mich., about this time, 
and when salt operations first commenced in the Saginaw Valley, 
came to East Saginaw. He was one of the founders of the First 
National Bank, of Saginaw City, and a prominent stockholder 
and director of that institution. In 1872 he built a palatial resi- 
dence on South Washington street, at a cost of about $25,000. 
He was an unselfish and kind-hearted citizen, a remarkable finan- 
cier, and his judgment on all business matters was considered 
second to none. He departed this life in 1871, and was tenderly 
laid at rest in the family vault at Brady Hill cemetery, He left a 
wife, a son and daughter, and many friends to mourn his loss. 

D. Crease, of Russell & Crease, manufacturers of lumber, lath, 
staves, headings and salt, East Saginaw, was born in the Eastern 
States, and first entered into business at East Saginaw. His first 
venture in salt was at Zilwaukee, where he was located seven 
years. He owned one well, 1,000 feet deep, that has furnished 
brine enough to make 100 barrels of salt per day ever since. While 
at Zilwaukee he was a Justice of the Peace, and has been 
Superintendent for Batchelor & Co., for over three years. He is 
connected with the Masonic fraternity. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 551 

Patrick Crowley, proprietor of hotel on Jefferson street, near 
1". A: P. M. R. R. depot, East Saginaw, was born at Peterboro, 
Upper Canada, Jan. L5, L848. IK' is the third son of James D. 
and Margaret (Whibbs) Crowley; father born in County Cork. 
[reland, in 1811, and died Nov. 30, 1S78. Patrick vsas reared on 
a tan n. and when IT years of age, went to work in the lumber 
business. In 1S74. for three months, he was proprietor of the 
.Etna House, on Cass street, East Saginaw, and then kept the 
Tremont House tor five rears. In 1880 he erected his present 
hotel, which is 7<» by 120 feet in size, three stories high, contain- 
ing 12 rooms. He was married at Saginaw City, May 14, 1874, 
to Margaret, daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Mulroy) Walsh, 
who was born at Evansville, Canada, June 17, 1819. They have 
2 children — Francis ,!.. horn Feb. 11, 1876, and Margaret E., 
born Aug. 21, 1877. Mr. Crowley and wife are members of the 
Roman ( atholic Church. 

A'. B. Cutter, foreman of F. & P. M. R. R. car shops, East Sagi- 
naw, was born in Massachusetts, where he learned the carpenter and 
joiner's trade. In 1852 he went to Chicago, and worked tor Ameri- 
can Car Company until their failure; then worked at trade; thence 
to I. C. R. R.; thence to C. & N. W. R. R.; thence to Blooming- 
ton, 111., for C. & A. R. R.; thence to Holly Springs, Miss., for 
Mississippi Central R. R. and accepted present position in 1880; is 
a man of family, and home at Lake ^ ? iew, 111. He was formerly a 
member of Excelsior Lodge, of* Chicago, now Ancient Odd Fellows. 
Mr. Cutter is a steam gas fitter and a millwright. 

Geo. Davenport, proprietor of shingle-mill which was established 
in 1861 and run by Christopher Reeves for two years. The mill 
afterward passed into two or three different hands, and was finally 
bought by E. S. Avery, of Detroit, and removed north on the J., L. 
& S. R. R. in 1872. The same year a mill was built in Florence, on 
lots 21 and 22, by Geo. Davenport & Co., manufacturing lumber, 
lath and shingles. In 1871 it was purchased by Mr. Davenport, 
and it was destroyed by fire in 1878. In 1S79 it was rebuilt, at a 
cost of $3,000; it gives employment to 13 men, and turns out 35,000 
shingles per day. Mr. Davenport was born in Saginaw City, Jan. 
11, 1810, son of E. W. and Marthy Davenport. He was brought up 
and educated here, and formerly followed farming to a certain ex- 
tent; also was engaged in lumbering, directly and indirectly, for 17 
years. He was married Oct. 10, 1866, at Pompey, N. Y., to Lydia 
B. Wright, a native of that State, and they have two daughters re- 
siding at home. Mr. Davenport is a prominent man in the city, 
having lived here all his life, and has been well connected with the 
business welfare of the county. 

JZlijah N. Davenport was born in 1801 in Dutchess county, N. 
Y„ where he was brought up until he was IS years of age. His 
father originally came from England, and settled in New York at 
an early date. His mother was born in New York, whose ancestry 
came from Holland. Mr. Davenport, at the age of IS, went to 



552 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Niagara county and was engaged in farming until 1831, when he 
came to Michigan and settled on the Flint river, where the city of 
Flint now stands, having bought 200 acres of land on» the east side 
of the river. At that time there was only one white family living 
there besides his own. He was married in Niagara county, N. Y., 
in March, 1828, to Martha Cronk, a native of that State, who came 
with him to Michigan. The existence of a great deal of sickness in 
the neighborhood induced him to move to Grand Blanc, Genesee 
county, where he bought a farm of 80 acres and acted as inn -keeper 
and Postmaster, it being the nearest one in that part of the country. 
Having a desire to come to Saginaw, he sold his farm in Grand 
Blanc in 1834 and bought land in different parts of the city, which 
was surveyed off into city lots. He kept a hotel, opposite where the 
First National Bank now is, several years, and started a ferry across 
the Saginaw river, which he ran until the Genesee street bridge 
was built. In 1836 he was elected High Sheriff and re-elected again 
in 1840, retiring after serving eight years. He was also elected 
County Judge, which office he held several years. He was one of 
the principal stockholders in the Genesee street bridge, which was 
built in 1863. Oct. 15, 1863, he died, leaving his wife and a family 
of 10 children, 8 daughters and 2 sons, to mourn his loss. Mr. 
Davenport was a very prominent man in the county at the time of 
his death, and had accumulated considerable wealth, thus leaving 
his family well provided for in life. The widow is still living on 
the homestead, and is in her 74th year. Out of the family of children 
there are 5 daughters and 1 son married, living in different 
parts of the State. 

Robert DedericKs bottling works, North Water street, East Sagi- 
naw, were established by Mr. Dederich, in 1876. The business 
increased very rapidly, and Mr. D. was forced to find larger and 
more convenient rooms for his purpose. He now manufactures 
birch beer and soda water, and is sole agent for Finlay & Zahm's 
celebrated Toledo bottled beer. He employs 14 men, and also has a 
branch establishment at Bay City. The manufacturing depart- 
ment is fitted up with the latest improved machinery, and is under 
the efficient management of Mr. Butelle, of France. Mr. Butelle 
has gained considerable local notoriety, owing to his introduction 
of Dederich's birch beer. He was awarded a special premium on 
wine at the Centennial Exposition of the United States. 

Louis DeLaVergne was born in the town of Armina, Dutchess 
county. New York, Jan. 12, 1807. His boyhood days were spent 
on his father's farm and his education was obtained in the common 
schools. In 1835 he went to Tompkins county, New York, and kept 
a dairy until 1838, when he removed to Broome county, New York, 
locating on a farm seven miles from Binghamton. Here he resided 
until 1852, and farmed all that time except the last four years, which 
time he ran on the New York & Erie R. R. In 1852 he came 
to East Saginaw, which was then a wilderness. He worked four 
vears for Jas. Keteham and others, when, in 1856, he went to 



(ITY OF EA8T SAGINAW. 553 

Pike's Peak, spent nearly all his monej 7 , and returned the same 
year. He worked tor Warner & Eastman about three years, when he 
became foreman in one department at the F. & P. M. car shops. 
Mr. De La Vergne was a very hard worker in his younger days. His 
house was the second one built south of the bayou, and this he built 
of nights and Sundays, attending to his regular daily labor at the 
same time. He was married Nov. 1, 1828, to Miss Alma Stebbins. 
sister of Deacon Luther Stebbins, of near Buffalo, New York. 
They have had 11 children, 8 living — William, Theodore, Helen 
(Smith), Lucy, Franklin T. F., Lurinda (Donaho), Louis and Jennie 
(Handle). The deceased are S. Maria, Henry and William Y. 
Three of their sons, Theodore, Franklin and Louis, were soldiers 
for the U. S. during the Rebellion. 

It. F. Dobson, painter, East Saginaw, is a native of the Province 
of Ontario. Canada, and in 1856 located at Detroit, Mich., where 
he lived one year. In 1S59 he came to East Saginaw, where he 
learned his trade. In 1863 lie enlisted in Co. C, 7th Reg. 
Mich. Yol. Inf., serving one year in behalf of his adopted country. 
His brother, Charles F., was killed in the light before Richmond, Ya. 
Mr. Dobson employs about 10 men, and enjoys a very good pat- 
ronage in both the Saginaws. 

Eugene E. Draper, proprietor of the Oriental Restaurant. These 
magnificent parlors were opened Feb. 22, 1881, at a cost of $6,000. 
The establishment consists substantially of a central entrance lead- 
ing to the reception room in the rear, while on each side is a large 
room used respectively for a sample room and dining-hall. These 
two rooms are nicely fitted up in the latest style, and are con- 
ducted in a first-class manner. The reception room is a model of 
neatness and beauty. A fine Brussels carpet covers the floor, and 
the ceiling and walls are decorated in a most handsome manner; 
For the convenience of guests there are six private apartments set 
off from the main room, which are also nicely arranged. In the 
main entrance is a stairway, leading to the second floor. This 
department is divided off into two large parlors, elegantly fur- 
nished, winch occupy the front of the building, while the balance 
is set off into eight sleeping apartments. The whole building is 
fitted up and furnished in the best and latest style. This is cer- 
tainly an honor to East Saginaw, as it is the finest restaurant in 
the State of Michigan, and cannot be excelled in Eastern cities. 
Mr. Draper, the proprietor, was born in Oakland county, this State, 
June 16. 1815. son of Calvin D. and Mary J. Draper. He came 
with his parents to Saginaw in 1854, and has made it his home 
here ever since. In 1878 he opened a restaurant on Cass street, 
south of Genesee, and ran it until January. 1880, when he sold 
out and opened in his present place of business. 

C h\ Eastman, dealer in white pine and hard-wood lumber, 
East Saginaw, was a former employe of the McGrathBros., from 
whom he gained a practical knowledge of the lumber trade that 
materially aids him in his large purchases and sales. Mr. East- 
man is located at No. 6, Buena Yista block. 



554 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Hon. Edwin Eddy, of Eddy, Avery & Eddy, lumber merchants, 
was born at Eddington, Penobscot Co., Me., Jan. IS, 1817. His 
parents were Eleazer and Sylvia (Campbell) Eddy, natives of 
Maine; father died in 1826 and mother in I860. When 17 years of 
age Mr. Eddy went into the lumber camps, where he remained work- 
ing for others for four years. At the expiration of that time he 
engaged in business for himself. In the fall of 1863 he came to 
the Saginaw Valley, locating at Saginaw City, and a year later at 
East Saginaw. Immediately after arrival, he purchased a fourth 
interest in the firm of Avery, Murphy & Co. The firm finally be- 
came Eddy, Avery vfe Co., which was dissolved by the death of 
Newell Avery in March, 1877, and the present firm of Eddy, 
Avery & Eddy established, Mr. Eddy owning a third interest. The 
mill property and salt-blocks are located at Bay City, where the 
firm manufacture about 70,000 barrels of salt per year, and cut 
nearly 21,000,000 feet of lumber. They own extensive tracts of 
pine land in Clare, Roscommon, Midland and other counties. 
While a resident of Bradley, Me., Mr. Eddy was Secretary and' 
Treasurer of the town, and represented the district for three terms 
in the Maine Legislature. He was formerly a Democrat, but joined 
the Free-Soil party, and when the Republican party was organized 
enlisted with his political champion, Hannibal Hamlin, under its 
banner, where both have since remained. Mr. Eddy was married 
in January, 1810, to Celia W. Eddy, a native of Maine. Of their 
7 children, 4 are living — Nancy M., wife of T. E. Dorr; Ellen 
A., Selwyn, of the firm of Eddy Bros., Bay City, and Charles A., 
a member of the firms of Avery & Co., and Eddy Bros. George, 
Lucy and an infant are deceased. 

JV. H. Ehlred, of Eldred & Baker, carriage and wagon manu- 
facturers, East Saginaw, was born in Ohio. He came to this State 
in 1859, and was here educated and partly learned his trade at 'the 
Saginaws." He then went to Tuscola, Mich., where he remained 
in business 10 years. He finally purchased an interest in the firm 
of Baker Bros, at East Saginaw, where he has since been in business. 
The firm is doing a large business, and is one of the oldest houses 
in the trade in the Saginaw Valley. 

Thomas Emery, contractor and builder, East Saginaw, was born 
in Lapeer county, Mich., Oct. 8, 1850. His parents removed to 
Ann Arbor when he was quite small. Here he received a thorough 
education, graduating in the engineer's course of the literary de- 
partment of Michigan University in that city. He learned the car- 
penter's trade prior to graduating, and in 1874 he came to East 
Saginaw, where he has since resided, except one year which he 
spent in Toledo, Ohio, and six months in Detroit, He was married 
in 1S79 to Miss Carrie Atwater. From 1877 to 1879 he was a 
member of the School Board of'East Saginaw. 

George Feige, manufacturer and dealer in fine furniture, is the 
son of Ernest Feige, who was born near Hessen, Germany, in 1811. 
In 1847 he emigrated to America, locating at New York city, 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 555 

where for a period of seven years he was employed in manufacturing 
furniture. In 1854 he came to Michigan, settling at East Saginaw, 
and after investing in real estate and erecting substantial dwellings 
thereon, turned his attention to the furniture business, in which he 
led the trade for six years. In 1860 he turned over the business to 
his sons, George, Ernest and Henry. In 1870 Henry retired from 
the firm, and a year later George became sole proprietor. The large 
building occupied by Mr. Feige was built in 1S73, at a cost of $10,- 
000. Mr. Feige employs 20 men, and his trade extends over many 
States of this Union. 

John W. Fitzmaurice, of East Saginaw, the well-known Michigan 
temperance lecturer, was born on the island of Cape Breton, Gulf of 
St. Lawrence, May 25, 1833, and is the only son of Cseser Fitz- 
maurice, and a grandson of Lieut. Col. John Fitzmaurice, of II. B. 
M. 1st Royals, and for a number of years Lieutenant Governor of 
Prince Edward Island, also brother to Henry Fitzmaurice, Earl of 
Kerry in Ireland, and Marquis of Lawnsdowne in England, making 
the subject of this sketch a second cousin to the present Lord Lawns- 
downe. Mr. Fitzmaurice was brought up and educated in Niagara, 
Ontario. He prepared himself for the ministry, and came to 
Michigan in 1865, and the following year was ordained a minister 
of the gospel at Bedford, Calhoun county. He demitted the minis- 
try and came to Saginaw Valley in 1870, and became a journalist, 
being associate editor of the Daily Courier in East Saginaw. 
Later he became city editor of the Enterprise, and afterward edited 
the Daily Republican, also of East Saginaw. 

In the fall of 1876 he entered the lecture field as a temperance 
speaker, and continued to labor in this capacity for four years. As 
a temperance man he has been eminently successful; having re- 
ceived during that period, over 40,000 signatures to the temperance 
pledge. In 1878 he was nominated for Congress from the eighth 
district on the Prohibition ticket, butof course suffered defeat. He 
was called to Canada in 1880 to lecture on temperance, where he 
spoke 46 nights in succession in Toronto, and 92 nights in Hamil- 
ton, receiving 6,000 signatures to the pledge. The name k - Fitz- 
maurice " is familiar throughout Michigan and Canada, and indeed 
the name ranks with the most noted temperance workers of 
America. He is now engaged in the real estate and general broker- 
age business in East Saginaw. 

Earnest C Foland, a leading boot and shoe dealer of South Sagi- 
naw, was born in Mount Clemens, Mich., Sept. 27, 1853. He 
emigrated to Zilwaukee in the spring of 1870. In 1875 he removed 
to West Bay City, and to Saginaw the following fall. He came to 
South Saginaw in L876, where he has since been engaged in the 
manufacture of first-class boots and shoes. He was married in '73 
r<> Miss Lizzie Gasmen, who died; and Dec. 25, 1878, he married 
Miss Anna Calderwood, by whom he has 1 daughter, Minerva. 

Charles Fuerstenau, of the firm of Fuerstenau & Weaver, was 
born in Germany, Nov. 4, 1853. He came with his parents to 



556 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Detroit in 1866, where he learned the upholstering trade with Will- 
iam Brown. In 1871 he came to East Saginaw and worked for 
Feige Brothers. He remained with them over three years, when, 
business becoming a little slack, they stopped him for some time. 
Being of an enterprising nature, Mr. Fuerstenau could not remain 
idle; lie therefore began work on a small scale at his own house, 
expecting to resume work for his employers when they desired; 
but they became offended at his proceedings, and dismissed him 
from their employ. This, though a very trying moment to Mr. 
Fuerstenau, is the event of his life which can be pointed to as the 
beginning of the era of his wonderful success as a business man. In 
March, 1877,he established a small shop with about $500 capital, and 
had he not possessed an unusual amount of energy he would have 
gone under. But he worked hard, mentally and physically, for over 
two years, and was prospered. He then took a partner, Mr. Julius 
Guenther, who added $500 to the capital stock. Mr. Fuerstenau 
bought his partner's interests in 1880, paying him $2,200. He then 
took James A. Weaver as a partner, who added $6,000 to the 
capital stock, Mr. Fuerstenau putting in the same amount. They 
have since that time greatly increased their stock, until they oc- 
cupy 10 large store rooms, on the corner of Genesee avenue and 
Jefferson street. To better give an idea of the extent of the busi- 
ness we give the following: From September, 1880, to June 15, 
1881, their sales amounted to over $70,000. Mr. Fuerstenau was 
married, Oct. 31, 1876, to Miss Minnie Grethe, by whom he 
has had 3 children; of these 2 are living, Minnie and Jen- 
nie. 

Gage Bros., dealers in hot-air furnaces and manufacturers of 
copper, sheet and tin work for steamboats, mills, etc., Union 
block, S. Water street, East Saginaw. This firm was established 
by George and Thomas Gage in 1879, and at present secures a 
large portion of the ever-increasing trade of Saginaw county. 
The brothers are skillful mechanics, having learned their trade 
in Detroit, and do a large business in steam - fitting, which 
forms an important branch of their business. 

Chauncey H. Gage, attorney at law, and Circuit Judge elect 
of the 10th Judicial District of Michigan, was born at Detroit, 
Mich., June 17, 1840. His parents were Morgan L. and Amy 
(Coffeen) Gage, natives of New York. When Mr. Gage was nine 
years of age his father removed to Saginaw City, and three years 
later to East Saginaw. When 16 years of age he entered the 
employ of S. W. Yawkey & Co., lumber merchants, remaining 
with them and their successors, C. Moulthrop & Co., two shipping 
seasons. In the winter of 1857 he was elected Enrolling Clerk 
of the State Senate, holding that position during the session of 
1857 and the extra session the following winter. He commenced 
the study of law with Webber & Wheeler, in 1858, remaining 
with the firm until Jan. 1, 1863. He was admitted to the bar 
of this State, Sept. 19, 1861, and to practice in the IT. S. Courts 



(ITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 557 

July 2, 1867. In 1S62, was elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
this county, and held that office four years. He was a member of 
the East Saginaw School Board in 1864; President of the Young 
Men's Association in 1866; City Recorder in 1871-'2, and City 
Attorney in 1878. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Gage was>a candidate 
for Circuit Judge, on a non-partisan ticket, and supported by a 
majority of the bar of the county and the Democratic and Green- 
back conventions. He was elected for a term of six years — Jan. 1, 
1882, to Jan. 1, 1888. He was married in September,1864, to Mildred, 
daughter of Martin and Eunice A. (Lilly) Smith, who was born 
in Ohio in April, 1842. One child was given them, Maurice 
S., born July 4, 1865. Mrs. Gage died in March, 1866, and Mr. 
G. was again married, July* 10, 1875, to Isabel, daughter of George 
W. and Sophia E. (Lee) Peck, who was born in Livingston Co., 
Mich., April 20, 1852. They have 1 child, Lewis P., born in 
February, 1881. 

Morgan L. G<(ge, deceased pioneer of East Saginaw, was born 
at Troy, N. Y., in 1807. He removed with his father to Detroit 
in 1SL9, and there grew into manhood, and by his industry, in- 
tegrity and active energy, soon won the confidence of his fellow 
citizens. He was a member of the Brady Guards, and was Captain 
of the volunteer company from Detroit, raised by the Brady Guards 
to go into the Mexican war in 1847. He removed to Saginaw 
City in 1849, and in 1852 located at East Saginaw, where he labored 
unselfishly, zealously and actively in promoting her prosperity until 
his death. He held several official positions in the city, and at 
the opening of the war raised and commanded "Co. A," of the 14th 
Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and was on duty at the front for nearly one 
year. This service made inroads upon his vigor and health from 
which he never fully recovered. In 1857, Capt. Gage and Norman 
Little, with others, secured the appropriation of the lands for the 
construction of that road to be granted by the Legislature to the 
F. & P. M. P. R. Co., and East Saginaw, to be named as a point on 
the road. He did very much to induce the construction of the 
plank roads to Vassar, St. Louis and Watrousville, and as State 
Road Commissioner superintended the construction of the State road 
from Saginaw to An Sable. Mr. G. was united in marriage in 
July, 1838, with Miss Amy Coffeen, who is now residing at East 
Sairinaw. 

The marked characteristics of his life were self-reliance, industry, 
unbending integrity, a high sense of honorable dealing in public 
and private lite, and devotion to his family. He died April 4, 1876, 
leaving a wife and 7 children. 

Jacob L. Geir, manufacturer of candies, Hovey block, Wash- 
ington ave.. East Saginaw, was born at Kingston, Canada, Jan. 
7, 1849. He is the second son of George and Margaret M. (Keller) 
Geir. When 18 years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, and 
worked at it three years at Rochester, N. Y. ; and five years at the 
confectionery business. In 1874 Mr. Geir opened a confectionery 



558 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

establishment at No. 20 Monroe ave., Rochester, N. Y. where he 
remained until April, 1881. On the 9th day of that month he came 
to East Saginaw, and has since been engaged in manufacturing 
candy, turning out at present from 150 to 200 barrels per day, and 
business still increasing. He was married at Rochester, N. 
Y., July 28, 1869, to Mary C, daughter of John and Harriet 
(Jordan) Noves. They have 1 child — George L., born March 25, 
1876. 

Edward Germain was born in Buffalo, New York, Oct. 30, 
1817, and is a son of Edward Germain, sr., who was born in Que- 
bec in the year 1793 and is now residing in East Saginaw. Our 
subject came to Detroit in 1856, and to East Saginaw in 1863. He 
first worked in TenEyck's stave factory, and thus worked at the 
carpenter's trade tor three shillings a day for some-time. He worked 
at the builder's trade until 187-1, when he erected his planing mill, 
of which we will speak at further length elsewhere in this work. 
He was married June 9, 1870, to Miss Emma Taylor, daughter of 
Alonzo Taylor. 

H. E. Good, chief engineer water-works, was born May 25, 
1834, at Newfane, Niagara Co., N. Y. ; son of James and Elizabeth 
(Hold) Good. His mother died in 1814 and his father about 1856, 
at Newfane. He was partly brought up on a farnij and at the age 
of 16 began to learn the machinist's trade. In 1852 he came to 
Michigan, and went to Bay City for a short time, also in Genesee 
county, and came to Saginaw in 1853. He remained but a year 
and a half when he went to Illinois, and ran an engine two years on 
the Chicago & Rock Island railroad. In 1856 he went to St. Louis, 
where he finished learning his trade in the machine shops. In 1858 
he took an engine to Jersey Co., 111., and put it up in a grist-mill, 
running the engine one year. He returned to Saginaw and put an 
engine up for Champlin & Penny, and in 1861 entered the shops 
of Weeks Bros.; remained with them until 1873, running an 
engine summers and working in the shops winters. For two 
years of this time he was at East Tawas for the same company. 
In December, 1874, he entered the water works and has been chief 
engineer of this institution ever since, having the general manag- 
ing of the entire works. Mr. Good was married Oct. 3, 1S60, 
to Matilda Richardson, who died in 1879, leaving 2 children, a 
son and daughter. He was married again Jan. 19, 1871, to Phoebe 
Crane, and they have 2 daughters. One child, Lula, was mar- 
ried to A. T. Blackmer, while the rest of the children are living at 
home. 

Marion Goodale, of the firm of Smith & Goodale, proprietors 
Central mills, East Saginaw, was born near Geneva, N. Y., June 
22, 1848, and is of English ancestry. When two years of age he 
accompanied his parents to Washington Co., Wis., where he re- 
mained five years. They then removed to Delhi Mills, Washtenaw 
Co., Mich., where Mr. G. subsequently engaged in the milling 
business, in connection with Mr. Goodale & Henley. In 1879 he 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAAV. 559 

came to East Saginaw, and in partnership with Charles II. Smith, 
rented the old brewery, converting it into a fine mill, well stocked 
with the latest and improved mill machinery. Mr. Goodale was 
married at Ann Arbor, Mich., July 10, 1S7G, to Kate, daughter of 
Barney B. Harkins, of Ann Arbor. 

C. W. Grant, Secretary of the East Saginaw Board of Trade, 
was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., March 15, 1818. His parents 
were Charles and Margaret (Hines) Grant; father is now a resident 
of Clinton Co., Mich., mother died in New York, in 1825. Mr. 
Grant was reared at Perry, Genesee Co., N. Y., where he received 
his educational advantages. He came to Michigan in 1839, locat- 
ing at Portland, Ionia Co., Mich., where he owned and operated a 
saw and grist mill, one of the first in the count} 7 . In the spring of 
1840, he went to Flushing, Genesee Co., and started the first circu- 
lar saw in operation in that county, in Charles Seymour's mill. 
That same year he went to Flint, where he remained until 1849. 
In the latter year he came to East Saginaw in a boat on the Flint 
and Saginaw rivers, and placed a circular saw in Emerson & El- 
dridge's saw-mill, the first saw of the kind on the Saginaw river. In 
the spring of 1850, he entered into partnership with A. M. Hoyt, 
and the firm built the " old blue mill," and the first frame house at 
East Saginaw. This mill sawed the lumber for the northern divi- 
sion of the Saginaw and Genesee plank road, and was afterward 
purchased by Mr. Hoj't. Mr. Grant subsequently bought a saw- 
mill at Lower Saginaw, which was destroyed by fire in 1860. In 
1865 he purchased an interest in the Chicago mill, known as Grant 
& Savior's mill. In the panic of 1875, he was forced to go into 
bankruptcy, giving up all his property. In January, 1880, he 
bought the Callam mill, at Carrollton, and it is now operated under 
the firm name of C. L. Grant & Co. In 1855 Mr. Grant was 
elected Sheriff of Saginaw county, holding that position for four 
years. He was Deputy U. S. Marshal from 1856 to 186(>, and in 
1876, was elected Secretary of the East Saginaw Board of Trade, 
which position he still occupies. He is also Deputy U. S. Collector 
of Customs for this district. Mr. Grant was married in Genesee 
Co., Mich., in the autumn of 1861, to Electa Curtis, a native of 
Onondaga Co., N. Y. 

Robert Granville, manufacturer of boots and shoes, on Potter 
street, East Saginaw, was born in Devonshire, Eng., March 19, 
1832, and is a son of John and Grace (Nicholsson) Granville. When 
14 years of age he was apprenticed to the boot and shoe trade, where 
he remained six years, For several years he worked as a journey- 
man in England, Canada and the United States. He finally located 
in Perth Co., Can., where he owned a "country store," and did 
repairing in connection with his business. After eight years, he 
removed to East Saginaw, and has since been engaged at his trade, 
lie was married in Perth Co.. Can., July 19, 1860, to Martha A., 
daughter of James and Grace (Giddy) Smale, who was born Aug. 5, 
1838. They have 6 children— John J., Mary J., William II., Nora 



560 IIISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY 

G., Amy and an infant. Mrs. Granville is a member of the M. E. 
Church. 

W. B. Gress, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, cor. 
Genesee and Washington streets, East Saginaw, established his 
present business in 1869, and has labored energetically and faith- 
fully to attain the higli place he now holds among those in the 
same business. Mr. Gress employs several skilled workmen, and 
turns out an admirable quality of foot wear. In 1862 Mr. Gress 
was among those who were called out by the State of Minnesota to 
suppress the terrible Indian massacre. 

J. L. Hall, proprietor sale and boarding stable, East Saginaw, is 
a native of Kentucky, and came to Michigan in 1879. He was em- 
ployed by Jake Selegman as a salesman in his sale stable for some 
time, but established his present business in 1881. He occupies a 
building 40 x 160 feet in size, and three-stories high, in which he 
buys and sells the best breeds of horses, and also buggies and har- 
ness. 

J. J. Harvey, proprietor livery stable and carriage repository, 
East Saginaw, was born in New York, June 29, 1839, and in 1865, 
came to Michigan. In 1861, he enlisted in the 26th N. Y. Vol. Inf., 
and served two years for the honor of the Union. He re enlisted 
in the 188th Reg. N. Y. Yol. Inf., and served till the close of the 
war; was made 2d. Lieut., and had Captain's commission sent him, 
but never received it. His present stable was built in 1878-'9, at a 
cost of $10,000, the site also' costing $6,000, and it is considered 
one of the best stables of the kind in Michigan. 

P. P. Heller, one of East Saginaw's business men, was born at 
Renfelts, Germany, in 1819. In 1863 he came to the United 
States, locating in Philadelphia, where he remained until the year 
1868, when he moved to East Saginaw, where he engaged in differ- 
ent pursuits up to 1876. He then opened a general grocery, flour 
and feed store, at the southeast corner of Lapeer and 6th streets. 
In 1871 he was married to Miss Mary Kreith, who died in 1876, 
leaving one child, Adolph G. Mr. H. is one of your live, thorough- 
going men, taking an active part in the political arena. 

John Henning db Son, proprietors of general grocery, flour and 
feed store, near the corner of oth and Fitzhugh streets, represent one 
of the principal houses in that portion of the city. John Henning 
was born at Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1822. In 1848 he emi- 
grated to this country, coming direct to East Saginaw; was engaged 
in various pursuits until 1867, when he purchased his present prop- 
erty and permanently located in business; was married in Germany, 
to Miss Lena ISTeorvman, by whom he has had 7 children, namely: 
Fred, who is married and resides in Kansas City, Mo.; Christian, 
who married Miss Christina Dettmer, of Tawas City; John, mar- 
ried, and is a captain of one of the boats plying on the river; Henry, 
at home; Minnie, who is married and is living in East Saginaw; 
her husband is one of the leading contractors of the place; Charles, 
at home, interested in store and member of Workingmen's Associ- 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW". 561 

ation; Emma and Herman. Christian, in 1880, was elected Coun- 
cilman of his ward upon the Republican ticket; also Treasurer of 
the Workingmen's Association. These different gifts of trust placed 
upon him by his fellow citizens truly show him to be one of Sagi- 
naw's most trusted citizens. 

Christopher Holzheimer, first son of Godfrey and Albina Holz- 
heimer, was born near Berlin, Germany, Oct. 5, 1841. When 
two and a half years old, he accompanied his parents to Niagara 
Co., N. Y., where they engaged in farming until 1865, when they 
removed to Lisbon, Ottawa Co., near Grand Rapids, Mich. On 
April 16, 1861, Mr. II. enlisted in Co. C, 28th Reg. N. Y. Vol. 
Inf., under Capt. Mapes, and was discharged; re-enlisted in the 
l'.I X. Y. Mounted Rifles, Sept. 16, 1863, and was discharged at 
Petersburg, Va., Aug. 10, 1865. Mr. Holzheimer has been twice 
married. At East Saginaw, Aug. 1, 1876, he married Louisa Kil- 
linger, who was born on Water st., East Saginaw, April 13, 1853. 
She bore him 2 children — Frank and William. He has 3 
children by his second wife. < 

Roswell G. Horr, Representative to Congress from the Eighth 
District of Michigan; residence, East Saginaw; was born at Waits- 
field, Vt., Nov. 26, 1830. He is a son of Roswell and Caroline ^y 
(Turner) Hon-, natives of Vermont. When four years of age he/> 
accompanied his parents to Lorain Co., Ohio, where his father 
died April 25, 1841. Here R. G. passed his early life, assisting 
his mother on the farm in the summer seasons, and attending dis- 
trict schools in the winter, until he arrived at early manhood. 
Feeling the need of a good education, he resolved to secure one, 
although his widowed mother's financial condition was such as 
would not admit of any outlay for her son's advancement. He 
entered Oberlin College, where he spent two years in the prepar- 
atory course and two years in that college, and at the expiration 
of this time entered Antioch College, one of the noblest educa- 
tional institutions of the Buckeye State. He fought his own way 
through college, paying for his tuition and books by money earned 
during odd hours and vacations. He had for his instructor Horace 
.Mann, and graduated with high honors in the first class of 1857. 
The fall after his graduation he was elected Clerk of the Court of 
Common Pleas, of Lorain Co., Ohio, and re-elected in 1860. 
During this time, he was engaged in studying law, and at the close 
of his six years' clerkship, was admitted to the bar. He immedi- 
ately opened an office for practice at Elyria, Lorain Co., in connec- 
tion with John C. Hale, now Judge of Common Pleas Court, of 
Lorain county, where he remained two years. In the spring of 
1S60 he removed to Southeastern Missouri, where he was engaged 
in lead mining, near Potosi, for six years. In the spring of 1872, 
he removed to East Saginaw, and was formerly engaged in bank- 
ing, and the manufacture of lumber. He was nominated for Con- 
gress in 1878, by the Republican party, and the following 
November received 11,993 votes against 9,571 votes for B. M. 
Thompson, Democrat, and 8,500 votes for H. II. Hoyt, Green- 



652 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

backer. While he was a member of the 46th Congress, he served 
on the Committee on Manufacturers, also on that on Claims. In 
the fall of 18S0, he was re-nominated for the same position, and 
again triumphantly re-elected the following November. Mr. Horr's 
election was contested by very active and bitter opposition each 
time. It is generally, conceded that he secured both elections by 
his persona] effort and power as an organizer and public speaker. 
During his services in Congress, he has made several speeches, 
some of which attracted wide attention, and were circulated very 
extensiYely as campaign documents. Since 1878 he has been ac- 
tively engaged in "stump speaking 1 ' in several States of the Union, 
but principally in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachu- 
setts and Ohio. During the exciting contest in the fall of 1880, 
he opened the Michigan campaign at Detroit, to one of the largest 
political audiences ever convened in that city. Roswell G. Hon- 
is an able ad\ T ocate of the principles of the Republican party; as 
a public speaker, he ranks second to none in Michigan; as a sup- 
porter of the best interests of his constituents and the country at 
large, his fame has been sounded throughout the Union. He is 
thorough and methodical in his business; kind and generous to the 
rich and poor alike, and a man well respected by the whole com- 
munity and the citizens of this State. He was married April 11, 
1858, to Carrie M. Pinney, a native of Ohio. Four children have 
been given to bless this happy union, all of whom reside at home — 
Frank H., Flora M., Carrie B. and Rollin A. 

John Howa/rd, of the firm of J. W. Cook & Co., was born in 
Jefferson county, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1815, and is a son of Alfonzo 
Howard, a native of Massachusetts. At the tender age of nine years 
Mr. Howard became a boatman on the Erie' canal. He ran on the 
Erie and Welland canals for about four years, when he ventured 
out on the Atlantic ocean, and remained a sailor on the ocean and 
lakes until 1862, when became to East Saginaw. A part of the 
first two summers he also spent on the lakes. He remained in the 
employ of the Tittabawassee Boom Company for 13 years, and then 
spent two more seasons upon the lakes. He was married in 1866 
to Miss Lydia M. Sawtell, by whom he has three children — Min- 
nie, Alice and Lizzie. Mr. Howard is now serving his second 
term as Alderman of the 7th ward, East Saginaw. 

Dr. Theron T. Hubbard, of South Saginaw, was born in Oneida 
Co., N. Y., Mar. 12, 1831. He graduated from the Mexico Col- 
lege of New York in 1851, and from the Medical College at Syra- 
cuse in 1855. He came to South Saginaw in 1862, and engaged in 
the practice of medicine. From 1863 to 1865 he was Surgeon of 
the 23d Michigan Infantry U. S. A. In 1878 he went to the Black 
Hills, where he operated in mining and practiced medicine until 
1881, when he returned to South Saginaw and established a drug 
store with his old partner, Mr. Nicholas A. Randall. 

Seth G. Huckins, attorn ey-at-1 aw, was born at Calais, Me., July 
21, 1811, and is a son of Daniel N. and Esther S. (Low) Iluckins. 
Seth was reared at Calais, and received his education in the Wash- 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 56 5 

ington Academy, at East Machias, .Me. He read law one year in 
his native State, and in 186t located in this city. He was a Law 
student with D. W. C. Grage and H. II. Hoyt, and was admitted 

to the bar in March, l s 7'». He taught school in Maine for several 
years, but since his residence here has been engaged in his profes- 
sion. In April. 1880, he was elected Justice of the Peace for four 
year-. Mr. I luckins was married March 3, 1870, to Alice 1ST. Kings- 
bury of Ohio. They have one child, Seth CI., Jr., born Oct. 9, 1877. 
Mr. 1 luckins is a Mason, and his wife is a member of the Congre- 
gational Church. Mr. IT. suffered a severe stroke of paralysis in 
the fall of 1877, which has almost deprived him of the use of his 
lower limbs. 

T. J. JETatswell, master mechanic F. & P. M. R. R., East Sagi- 
naw, is a native of England. At the age of 10 years he became a 
resident of Northern Michigan and later of Ohio, where he was 
employed as an engineer and machinist on the M. S. R. R. for 
20 years. He was also employed on the Chicago & West 
Michigan R. R., as master mechanic. He was foreman of the F. 
& P. M. shops until promoted to his present position. 

John Ingledew was born on the Atlantic ocean in 1826, as his 
parents were on their way to America. They both died before 
reaching the American side, and lie, a helpless infant, was taken 
by a Mrs. Hutton, an aunt of his, to Buffalo, New York. Thisladv 
raised him until 14 yearsold, when he entered into the world alone. 
to battle for himself. At the age of 16 he came to Marine City, 
Mich., where he worked in the saw-mill of David Rust. He re- 
mained with the Rusts for 25 years, except the year of 1S69, which 
lie spent in California. lie came to East Saginaw in 1856. For 
the past four years he has been engaged in lumbering and getting 
out ship timber. He was married May 10, 18-16, at China, St. 
Clair Co., Mich, j to Miss Maria McLellan, by whom he has three 
children — Eliza A. (Youmans), Thalia E. (Sterling) and Arthur. 

Jacob Inglehart, foreman at Rust's mill, was born in the town 
of Lyons, New York. May 8, 1835, and is a son of Jacob Ingle- 
hart, a native of Seneca Falls, N. Y. Our subject came with his 
parents to Akron, Ohio, in 1843, and to Oakland Co., Mich, in 
1847. In 1852 he came to East Saginaw, when there was but one 
painted house in the city. His first work was that of assistant 
engineer in Johnson's mill at Zilwaukee. The property now be- 
longs to Rust, Eaton & Co. He has been connected with lumber- 
ing for the most part ever since. He began to saw for this firm in 
1866, and in 1869 became foreman, which position he still holds. 
He was married Dec. 25, 1857, to Miss Eliza Sawtell, by whom he 
has had 4 children, 2 living — Jesse and Delia. His first wife 
died, and he again married, Jan. 2, 1879, this time Miss Bridget 
McMahon ; they have 1 child — Nellie S. 

George H. Irving, proprietor coupe line, East Saginaw, was born 
at Detroit, Mich., in 1841. In his youth Mr. Irving followed the 
lakes, and during a period of several years was master of manv fine 

34 



564 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

vessels and tugs. On May 24, 1879, Mr. Irving established his 
coupe line at East Saginaw, and his business has increased so fast 
as to almost monopolize the entire carriage hire and baggage trade 
of the city. He has over $8,000 invested in this business, one 
coupe alone costing over $900. 

Dr. E. R. Knapp, homeopathic physician and surgeon, South 
Saginaw, was born in Danby, N. Y., Feb. 7, 1834. lie received 
his literary education in his native town, and graduated in medi- 
cine from the Michigan University in 1856. He came to South 
Saginaw in 1864, and has practiced in the homeopathic system of 
medicine ever since, and has built up a good practice. 

F. J. Knapp, manufacturer of wagons, carts, sleighs and lum- 
berman's tools, East Saginaw, was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., 
Dec. 27, 1853, and received his preliminary education in the public 
schools. He graduated from the State Normal school, at Ypsi- 
lanti, in the class of 1878, and has since been engaged in business. 
He bought out C. A. Dolliver, and then formed a partnership with 
W. S. Houghton, under firm name of W. S. Houghton & Co., 
March 5, 1881, and in a short space of time the firm was dissolved; 
he has since succeeded in building up a large and remunerative 
trade. Mr. Knapp has latel} T purchased the buildings formerly 
owned by C. A. Dolliver, and has thereby the facilities for his 
business. 

Rev. H. D. Kraeling, Pastor of the German Lutheran. St. Paul's 
Church, East Saginaw, was born in Prussia, Nov. 17, 1853. His 
literary education was obtained in Marburg, from whence he gradu- 
ated in 1870. And in 1874 he graduated from the Theological 
college at Neuendettelsau, in Bavaria. He emigrated to America 
in the fall of 1874, locating in Romeo, Mich., where he remained 
for eight months, preaching and teaching music and languages. In 
■July. 1875, he came to East Saginaw, and established the Church 
of which he is still Pastor, an account of which is given elsewhere 
in this work. Mr. Kraeling was married Dec. 10, 1877, to Miss 
Emma Schevenk, a leading soprano singer of East Saginaw. She 
died July 4, 1879; and on the 11th of May, 1881, Mr. Kraeling 
married Miss Maria Berkemeier, daughter of Rev. William Berke- 
meier, of New York city, and the founder of the German Emigrant 
House in that place. This philanthropic man erected the above 
named hotel and donated it to the Church in New York city. 

Charles Lee, proprietor Lee's planing mill, East Saginaw, was 
born in Yorkshire, En£., Dec. 23, 1811. His father, Charles 
Lee, was a merchant, and his mother was ^i French descent. At 
the age of 16 years he learned the tailor's trade, and was afterward 
engaged in farming. In 1830 he accompanied his brother to 
America, and first worked for Judge Livingston, on a farm near 
Lisbon*, N. Y., and subsequently in a brewery at Ogdensburg, same 
State. In 1832 he located on the present site of Grosse Point, 
Mich., and in connection with his brother, built a wind saw-mill, 
seven stories in height; the mill was afterward run by steam. In 



I in OF EAST SAGINAW . 505 

1841 Mr. Lee began the manufacture of brick, near Detroit, and 
worked at that business for 21 years. He owned 300 acres of land 
at Leeville, Mich. He then removed to East Saginaw, and with 
Maxwell Fisher, bought two saw-mills and 300 acres of pine land, at 
a cost of $40,000. Two years later Mr. Lee purchased his partner's 
interest, for which he gave $22,000. Mr. Lee was Treasurer of 
Antrim. Wayne Co., Mich., in 1854, and was once the Whig 
candidate for State Senator, but suffered defeat. He has always 
taken an active interest in all local enterprises; owns the Academy 
of Music, large city property, and is a stockholder and director in 
the East Saginaw Savings Bank. He cast his first vote in 1832, 
for Andrew Jackson, and was subsequently a Whig, and now a 
strong Republican. He joined the I. O. O. F., in 1870. Mr. Lee 
was married in 1835, to Elizabeth Hoof, who bore him 8 chil- 
dren, 3 of whom survive. Mrs. L. died in November, 1847, 
and he was again married, June 15, 1848, to Jennie Sterrett, who 
departed this life Dec. 15, 1850. leaving 2 children. He married 
his present wife, Charlotte Bye. daughter of James Bye, of England, 
Aug. 1, 1851. Of their 10 children, 6 are living. 

Mark B. Liddell, druggist, East Saginaw, w r as born at Omadi, 
Neb., 112 miles north of Omaha, on Mission river, Aug. 11, 1857. 
His parents are Mark J. and Anna M. (Madden) Liddell, father 
born in Erie county. Pa., Oct. 15, 1826, of Scotch ancestry, and 
mother born at Erie, Pa., Oct. 18, 1831. Mark attended school at 
St. Johns, Clinton Co., and Laingsburg, Shiawassee Co., Mich., 
until 16 years of age, and then engaged in the drug business with 
several firms in Saginaw City and East Saginaw. He started in 
business for himself at East Saginaw, and after three months, 
admitted Mr. Jones as full partner. On Nov. 5, 1878, Mr. L. 
purchased his partner's interest, and has since been alone. He was 
married Oct. 22, 1879, to Lida, daughter of Sidney H. and Anna 
(Stevens) Manzer, who was born in Shiawassee Co, Mich.. 
April 6, 1858. They have 1 child, Sidney M., born Jan. 11,1881. 
Mrs. Liddell is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. L. 
owns a lot on corner of Second and Astor streets, valued at $800. 
His drug stock is valued at $2,500. 

Aaron Linton was born in New Brunswick, Feb. 17, 1830. and is 
a son of Joseph W. Linton, also a native of that province. Mr. 
Linton came with his parents to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1848. In the 
fall of 1851 he came to St. Clair, Michigan, where he cast his first 
vote,which was for the " Maine Liquor Law." For live years he acted 
as head sawyer for different firms in St. Clair. Then, in 1856, he 
went to the Canada side, and kept a grocery for a few months, and 
in 1858 he came to Saginaw, where he remained about 15 months, 
when he purchased some land of Norman Miller, on the present 
site of South Saginaw, and erected the second (except the farm house) 
house in South Saginaw. This was in 1859. He was foreman in 
different mills here for some time; and in 1871 he erected a mill 
at Farwell, Clark Co., Mich., which was burned in 1873. He then 



566 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

sold his property, and purchased, in company with L. D. Frost, the 
old Union planing mill of Burnham & Still, in South Saginaw. 
He ran this until 1879, and it burned. The same year he erected 
the present large planing mill in South Saginaw, and took his sons, 
William S. and Chas. E., as partners, the latter selling out to his 
father in May, 1881. He was married Oct. 13, 1852, to Miss Sarah 
McDonald, by whom he has 2 children — William S. and Charles E. 
Mr. Linton has acceptably filled the office of Town Clerk, and 
Justice of the Peace, in South Saginaw. He was also the first Post- 
master of South Saginaw. 

Albert J. Linton, foreman in Gebhart & Estabrook's mill, was 
born in the Province of New Brunswick, Nov. 3, 1847, and is a 
brother of Aaron Linton, of whom we shall make further mention 
elsewhere in this work. His parents removed with their family to 
Buffalo, N. Y., in 1848, and to St. Clair, Mich., in 1853. 
In 1863 they removed to Northville. Mich. Although quite 
young, Mr. Linton was a soldier in the late war. He served seven 
months in Co. C, 30th Mich. Yol. Infantry. He came to Saginaw 
in 1867, and began working in the same mill (or the old one on 
same ground) that he is now in, as slab cutter. The mill was 
then owned by Curtis & Corning, for whom he became foreman in 
1870. He w r as married Jan. 1, 1873, to Miss Ella L. Beach, 
daughter of Russell Beach, of Chesaning, formerly of Saginaw. 

Alfred L) verm ore, proprietor grocery and meat market, Potter 
st., East Saginaw, was born Jan. 23, 1848. He is a son of Seymour 
andLydia (Barrett) Livermore, father born in New York, in 1819, 
and settled in Bay county, Mich., in 1852, and at East Saginaw in 
1853; mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1822. Alfred learned 
the carpenter's trade, and in 1864, when 16 years of age, enlisted at 
Flint, Mich., in Co. E, 7th Mich. Caw, under Capt. McCormick, 
serving during the war. He subsequently served one year with 
Gen. Custer, against the Indians. He then worked with his father 
several years, and was in business himself at East Saginaw two 
years. The panic of 1873 forced him to give up all, and he went to 
work in Moore's meat market. He now owns a neat little grocery 
near the F. & P. M. freight depot, where he does a good business. 
HeAvas married July 3, 1870, to Salina Robinson, who was born 
near Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1852. They have 4 children — Alfred 
S., born April 7, 1871; Arthur M., born Aug. 20, 1874; Clara M., 
born Nov. IS, 1878, and Mabel A., born Nov. 9, 1879. Mr. Liver- 
mure is connected with the A. O. U. W. 

William J. Loveland, attorney at law, was born at Norwich, 
Windsor Co., Yt., Nov. 11, 1823. His parents were William and 
Sarah (Hutchinson) Loveland; father died in 1862, aged 76 years: 
mother died Jan. 17, 1S77. William was reared on a farm that at 
the present time has been in the possession of the Hutchinson family 
for 100 years. He received his education at Dartmouth College, 
from which he graduated in 1S48. He commenced the study of law 
in the fall of that year, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. In 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 567 

the autumn of 1852, he went to Sanilac Co., Mich., and after one 
year, to Bay City. On Feb. 24, 1854, he settled in Tuscola Co., 
Mich., and exactly two years after located at East Saginaw. He 
once served as Circuit Court Commissioner, and from 1867 to 1S75 
was I )epnty Assistant Assessor and Collector of U. S. Internal 
Revenue, of the Saginaw district. Mr. Loveland was married in 
1867 to Susan M. Briggs, a native of Middleboro, Mass., and a 
lineal descendant of Miles Standish. Mr. L. is connected with the 
I. O. O. F. fraternity. 

Herman Mann was born in Canada in 1S43, came to Saginaw 
county in 1859; in 1864 enlisted in the 29th Mich. Inf., which con- 
stituted a portion of the 20th corps, commanded by the well-known 
Gen. "Pap" Thomas; participated in the different engagements 
that transpired in and about Nashville the memorable fall and 
winter of 1864; was discharged September, 1865, after which he 
returned to Saginaw, engaged in milling business for some time, 
when he assumed business for himself on Genesee street. Resi- 
dence, Carroll street. 

Martin Marshall, agent at East Saginaw, of Branch, Crooks & 
Co.'s celebrated saws, is a native of Sheffield, Eng., where in 
his youth he served a long apprenticeship in the superior mechani- 
cal industries of that renowned city. In 1874 he established his 
present business at 121 and 123 Water st.. where a practical expe- 
rience of over 20 } T ears in the making and repairing of saws en- 
ables him to to secure a large and remunerative trade. 

John McArthur, of Sweet & McArthur, attorneys at law, East 
Saginaw, was born at Killin, Scotland, March 28, 1838, and is a 
son of Dr. Patrick and Isabella (McTavish) McArthur. When 
six years of age his parents removed to Callander, Scotland, which 
John called his home until 1856. In 1851 he entered the law office 
of William Blackwell, at Callander, where he remained two years. 
He then followed the seas as a sailor for 18 months. At 
the expiration of that time he attended school, and became what 
is termed a " Queen's scholar." He graduated in 1856, and the 
same year located at Kingston, Canada, where he had an appoint- 
ment in the preparatory school of the Queen's University as a 
teacher of the classics and mathematics. After one year he was 
appointed principal _of the Petersborough Academy, where he also 
remained one year. He then accepted a situation in the Bank of 
Toronto, holding such position three years. In 1862-'3 he was 
engaged in farming near Kingston, Canada, and in 1S64 located at 
East Saginaw. From 1864 to 1869, he was a partner of Donald 
A. Kennedy, in the lumber business, the firm being dissolved June 
21, 1869. In 1870 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of this county, 
serving two years. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1873, occu- 
pying that office until 1875. In the latter year Mr. McArthur was 
admitted to the bar, and in January, 1881, formed the present 
partnership with William H. Sweet. He was School Inspector of 
the 3d ward of East Saginaw one year, and is a member of the I. 



568 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

O. 0. F. fraternity. He was married June 13, 1862, to Ellen Mc- 
Nab, a native of Canada. Of their 5 children 3 survive — Jesse, 
Colin and John A. Belle and Patrick Gordon are deceased. 

William McBain, insurance agent, was born at Huntington, 
Canada, Feb. 23, 1823. He is the son of Alexander and Susan 
(Davidson) McBain, natives of Scotland, who located in Canada, in 
1800. They settled on a farm comprising 1,000 acres, where they 
" kept a country store," and did an extensive business in making 
pearlash and potash. Alexander McBain was killed by lightning 
in 1830, and William was forced to take charge of this immense 
property, and for several years operated the business under his per- 
sonal supervision. When 27 years of age he engaged in the mer- 
cantile and lumbering trade, and in 1867 located at East Saginaw. 
For six years he owned a large commission store, and was also 
extensively engaged in the lumber and pine-land business. In 
October, 1880, he purchased A. C. Robinson's insurance office, and 
has since been engaged in that business. He was married in 1819, 
to Catherine Mcintosh, a native of Scotland. Of their 8 children, 
7 are living — Agnes H., wife of Alexander Charleston; Susie A., 
wife of W. F. Wood; A. E., Henry A., W. F., Grace C, and Myrtle 
L. Robena Florence departed this life in 1867. Mrs. McBain is a 
member of Congregational Church. 

Thomas McCausland, oi* the firm of McCausland & Delf, corner 
9th and Wardsworth streets, East Sagj,naw, is one of the enterpris- 
ing business men of Saginaw county. His early days were passed 
in Ontario county, Canada, and Carrollton, Saginaw county. He 
commenced life for himself at an early age as clerk in a cigar store 
at $3.00 per month and board. Was seven years at Alabaster, on 
Lake Huron, conducting store of general merchandise for Smith 
Bullard & Co.; while there was Township Treasurer and Postmas- 
ter. Dec. 3, 1873. he was married to Miss Mary Pesick, their 
family consists of 3 children — Benjamin Wm., Charles II. and 
Claude E. 

JZdward H. McLean, of Borden & McLean, grocers, Potter street,. 
East Saginaw, was born in Pine Run, Tuscola county, Mich., Nov. 
6,1859. He is the first son of Carlos C. and Louisa J. (Webster) 
McLean, of Scotch and English parentage. Edward attended school 
until 18 years of age. In May, 1880, he entered into partnership 
with Herbert E. Borden, in the grocery business. They carry a 
stock worth $1,800, and their annual sales amount to $20,000. 

Reuben R. McPherson, master car-builder, F. & P. M. R. R., 
East Saginaw, was born in New Jersey, where he learned the cabi- 
net maker's trade. He went to Chicago in 1853, and was employed 
bythe American Car Company about two years; was with the I. C. 
R. R., for seven years. He came to East Saginaw in 1871, and after 
two years went to Pittsburg, Pa., and was foreman for the P. C. & 
St. L. R. R., for five years. On his return in 18S0, he assumed the 
position of general foreman of the car department. He is a member 
of the Mason and Odd Fellow Lodges in East Saginaw, and in 1853,. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 56 ( J 

was a member of the Excelsior Lodge of Chicago, established in 
1851. 

Henry Melchers, druggist and dealer in drugs and medicines, 
also has a nice assortment of fancy and toilet articles, cigars, etc. 
His store is on the northwest corner of Genesee avenue and 
Jefferson street, which is kept up in a most attractive manner. 
When he first started in business in 1864, he occupied a store on 
the opposite corner, which was destroyed by fire in January, 1866; 
loss. $1,100, covered by insurance. He moved to his present 
location in August, 1866, and has made many improvements, so 
that at present he has one oi the finest drug stores in the city. 
Mr. Melchers was born in Germany in 1842, son of William and 
Lizette (Deyniann) Melchers. ETe was raised and educated there. 
and in 1857 came to America. At the age of 15 he entered the 
drug business in Detroit, and remained there until the war broke 
out in 1861, when he enlisted in Co. H, 2d Mich. Inf. In 1862 
he was appointed hospital steward of the U. S. army, and served 
until .May. 1864. He was first with the Artillery Brigade, 3d 
Corps of the army of the Potomac, and then transferred to its 
headquarters, employed in the medical director's office, and finally 
transferred to the medical director's office, 1st Division, 5th Corps. 
and left the service on the expiration of his time in May, 1864. 
He was in the battle of Bull Run, seige of Torktown, Williams- 
burg. Fair Oaks. Seven-Days* battle, Malvern Hill, Fredericks- 
burg and all the engagements of the army of the Potomac up to 
the time of leaving the service. In 1880 he began operations 
with Leonard Nerreter in the manufacture of and in dealing in 
shingles and salt, the works being situated near Crow Island. 
This" mill cuts 10,000,000 shingles, and the salt block turns 
out about 20,000 barrels of* salt annually, and gives employment to 
35 men. The cost of the mill machinery and salt block was 
$16,000. In November, 1868, at Detroit, Mr. Melchers was mar- 
ried to Julia Lemaire, a native of that city, and they have a family 
of 2 sous. He served as Alderman from 1878 to 1880. 

Merrill & Bacon, brass founders and manufacturers of mill 
machinery, engines, etc.. Last Saginaw. This pioneer firm was 
established in business in 1871, building their present shops that 
year, at a cost of $12,000. Their business has increased very 
rapidly, and their work stands high in the market. Mr. Bacon, 
the junior member of the firm, is a native of Michigan, and a 
practical mechanic. He located at Last Saginaw in 1859, and for 
a term of years officiated as foreman of the well-known milling 
firm of Sears & Holland. 

C. Merrill d- Co., lumber and salt merchants. East Saginaw. 
This firm is perhaps as widely known as any on the Saginaw river. 
establishing a permanent lumber trade as early as 1857. The 
firm at that time consisted of two men — C. Merrill and M. T. 
Howe. They were associated in business together until 1864, 
when Mr. Howe withdrew from the firm, his successors being T. 
W. Palmer and A. Whittier. In December, 1872, occurred the 



570 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

death of Mr. Palmer, since which time the two men previously 
mentioned have composed the firm. In the pioneer days of the 
lumber trade this firm were wont to cut about 30,000 feet per day, 
while at present the amount manufactured per day exceeds 75,000 
feet. The firm own several tracts of pine land, from which they 
receive the greater portion of their pine logs. In 1880 the firm 
established their present salt trade. Mr. Whittier is a native of 
New Hampshire, and came to Saginaw county in 1856. 

Gustavus W. Meyer, merchant on Potter street, opposite F. & 
P. M. P. P. depot, East Saginaw, was born at Selicia, Liegnitz 
District, Prussia, Dec. 11, 1852. His parents are Charles G. and 
Augusta ( Beyer) Meyer, father was born May 5, 1828, and was in 
the first three months' infantry, during the civil war; was subse- 
quently Captain of Co.D, 20th Mich. Vol. Inf., nnder Col. Thomas 
Savior; mother was born Feb. 18, 1827. When nine years of age, 
Gustavus accompanied his parents to Pittsburg, Pa., and three years 
later to Zilwaukee, Mich. After five years, they removed to East 
Saginaw, where Mr. Meyer attended Germania school until 15 
years of age. He was employed at different occupations for some 
years, and dually engaged in business for himself at his present 
location. He was married May 1, 1877, to Emma L., daughter of 
Reinhart and Augusta (Berkemeyer) Feige, who was born at East 
Saginaw, April 30, 1858. They have 2 children — Gussie, born 
April 12, 1878, and Delmer, born June 24, 1880. Mr. Meyer is a 
member of the German Lutheran Church. 

Amos Mills, saw-filer for Eaton, Potter & Co., was born in the 
province of Nova Scotia, Oct. 30, 1838, and is a son of Peter Mills, 
who removed with his family to Upper Canada about the year 1843. 
At the age of 15 Mr. Mills went to learn the carpenter's trade. In 
1860 he came to East Saginaw, where he learned the trade of mill- 
wright, at which he has worked during the winter months for the past 
15 years. He was married July 4, 1866, to Mrs. Maria Shirley, by 
whom he has 2 children, Arthur J. and Ezra G. Mrs. Mills had 
3 children by her first husband, viz.: Mary J., Willard J. and 
Ella F. Shirley. 

James Milne, carriage shop, commenced business July 1, 1880, 
on Franklin street. He has a nice, substantial brick building which 
cost $1,100, does all kinds of spring work, and employs six men, the 
best skilled mechanics. His business has been a success and has 
steadily increased. Mr. Milne was born in Scotland, June 9, 1843, 
where he was raised and learned his trade. He worked at it there 
for 10 years, when he came to America and located in Saginaw, where 
he has remained ever since. He was married in Scotland, June 5, 
1866, to Miss Maggie Morrison, and they have a family of 4 
children, 3 sons and 1 daughter, living at home. 

Mr. J. MoffifJ, insurance agent, East Saginaw, was educated at 
Saginaw City, and in 1878 bought out the business established by 
A. P. Seykes, since which time he has been very successful and 
enjoys more than an average share of the insurance custom. He 



CITY OK EAST SAGINAW. 571 

represents the Home Life Insurance Company, of New York, and 
several others equally as good. 

William B. Moore, druggist, was bom at Jackson, Mich., July 
24. 1854. and is a son of William S. and Amelia (Beebe) Moore, 
father a native of New York. He was reared in the city of Jackson, 
obtaining his education in the public schools. When 13 years of 
age he entered the employ of Holland & Chapman, druggists, where 
he remained two years, and was subsequently employed in the same 
capacity with C. E. Webb, three years. In August, 1873, he came 
to East Saginaw, and entered the drug house of A. A. Dunk, re- 
maining there until the death of his father, in March, 1876. lie 
then returned home, and in 1879 went to Bay City, Mich., working 
for L. S. Comau, until February, 1880, when he purchased his pres- 
ent stock and business. Mr. Moore was married April 22, 188<>, to 
Ella W., daughter of John G. Owen, a prominent lumber merchant 
of the Saginaw Valley. One child has been given to seal this alli- 
ance, Louise Woodland, born March 10, 1881. Mr. Moore has 
built up a remarkable trade for the short time he has been in busi- 
ness, and his sales are increasing with wonderful rapidity. 

E 'mil Moore*, proprietor and superintendent of the'' Mayflower 
Mills," East Saginaw, is a native of Prussia, where he was born in 
1827. He emigrated to the United States in 1849, with several 
brothers, and came direct to Saginaw City, where they had the good 
fortune to be kindly cared for by Judge Eleazer Jewett and his 
estimable wife, until they were able to speak English and find labor 
for their willing hands. Mr. Moores soon found employment with 
Jesse Hoyt, and rapidly rose to positions of honor and trust. In 
1866, he became full partner in the Mayflower Mills, and with that 
liberality 7 and honest} 7 characteristic of the true gentleman has be- 
come one of the most respected and honored citizens of " the Sagi- 
naws." lie well deserves the success which has attended him 
through life. 

C. V. Moross, architect and builder, South Park street, East Sag 
inaw, was born in Detroit, Mich., Dec. 25, 1S27, and is a son of 
Victor Moross. In 1849 he went to New Orleans, where he super- 
intended the Lake Pontchartrain car works for three years. He went 
to Galveston, Texas, and thence to Florida in 1852. In 1853 he 
returned to Detroit, where, in 1854, he married Miss Kate O'Con- 
nor, a cousin of Hon. John O'Connor, present Postmaster General 
of Canada. In 1855 Mr. Moross removed to Grand Rapids, where 
he engaged in architecture and building until 1858, when he re- 
moved to East Saginaw, and resumed his profession. Among the 
specimens of his work here, are the Everett House block, a portion 
of the Bancroft House block, Simoneau block, St. Mary's church 
and others. He has carried business ver} 7 extensively, having 
worked from 150 to 20<» men on his force at onetime. For the past 
three years he has built cars for the F. & P. M. R. R. company. 
Mr. Moross is the father of 5 children, viz.: Marv T. V.. Kittle 



572 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

(deceased), V. Blanche II., Charlotte E. and Walter H. R. The 
family are members of the Catholic Church. 

' A. W. Morse, lumber inspector, office No. 4, Buena Vista block, 
East Saginaw. Although young in years, Mr. Morse has gained 
an enviable reputation in his professed calling, and enjoys the con- 
fidence and good will of the various lumber firms throughout the 
entire Valley. His long business experience enables him to inspect 
lumber in a rapid, but careful manner, and he thereby secures a 
generous proportion of the inspectors' business along the Saginaw 
river. 

M. C, lloiver, the pioneer ice dealer of " the Saginaws," is a 
native of Maine, where he remained until his 25th year. He then 
removed to East Saginaw, where, in 1865, he built an ice house at a 
cost of $2,000. His present business, however, began in 1860, 
since which time his facilities for putting up the frozen fluid 
and his annual sales have made him the most popular ice dealer 
in the city. During the summer season Mr. Mower delivers ice 
to his numerous customers in large, roomy wagons, having a 
capacity of nearly four tons each. 

Henry Naegely, second son of Rudolph and Margaret (Hinter- 
meister) Naegely, was born in Zurich, Switzerland, Dec. 21, 1840. 
He was a dry-goods clerk for some time, and subsequently served 
three years in the Italian army. He came to the United States in 
June, 1860, and settled in Wisconsin, where he ''farmed it" one 
yepr. On Oct. 28, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 2nd Reg. Wis. 
Vol. Inf., as Sergeant, and after successive promotions, up to Cap- 
tain, was honorably discharged July 14, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., 
as Captain Assistant Adjutant General on Brevet Brig.-Gen. 
Morrows' staff. He fought in 28 engagements. He was then 
porter of the Biddle House, at Detroit, Mich., three years, and at 
the Bancroft House, in this city, for five years. He purchased the 
Gilbert House, on Potter street, which, he kept for four years, and 
then kept the house at the Tittabawassee State bridge for 
one year. He returned to East Saginaw, and after three years in 
the Blair House, built the Naegely block, in 1879. He was married 
to Maggie Brien, and 2 children have been sent them — Henry 
E. and Lottie. Mr. Naegely has been a member of the Working- 
men's Aid Society for 13 years. 

Reo. Theodore Nelton. — Prominent among the leading men of 
Saginaw county is the Rev. Theodore Nelson, who was born in this 
State, near Adrian, Feb. 11, 1841. His father was a native of, and 
resided for many years in, Genesee county, N. Y., whence he moved 
to Michigan. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a 
woman of extremely delicate, sensitive and highly nervous organi- 
zation, which inclined her to shun the active scenes of society. 
She was possessed of a strong religious nature, and her Christian 
character was marked with great earnestness and strong faith, yet 
in an equal degree by the Christian virtue of modest}' and humility. 
Mr. Nelson was educated at Kalamazoo College, in this State, and 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 573 

at the Michigan State University, graduating at the former place. 
At an early period in the war of the Rebellion, and at an early age, 
lie entered the military service of the United States in Co. D, 26th 
Reg. Mich. Inf. Vol. He was soon promoted, and served till the 
close of the war, and was mustered out as Captain of Co. E of the 
same regiment. 

Mr. N. was ordained to the Christian ministry in the Bap- 
tist denomination Feb. IS, 1868, and became the settled pastor of 
the Baptist Church in Ithaca in 1871, remaining with that Church 
two years, when, in 1873, he received and accepted a call as pastor 
of the First Baptist Church of East Saginaw, with which Church 
he still remains. On the 25th of May, 1867, he was married to 
Miss Laura A. Cheeseman, daughter of Dr. Cheeseman, of St. 
Louis. Mich. 

Mr. Nelson combines, in rare degree, vigor, versatility and com- 
prehensiveness of mind, possessing a mental ability and high, 
broad culture which command the admiration of all who know 
or hear him — a man of broad, comprehensive views and advanced 
thought in the fields of science, literature and religion, while his 
social qualities, with his frank and cordial manner, endear him to 
all who are fortunate enough to form his acquaintance. Though 
his profession is one that is generally thought to largely debar a 
man from the secular duties of life, yet Mr. N. is a gentleman who 
believes that his duties as a citizen — and, we believe, correctly — 
are as sacred and obligatory as any that rest upon him in any 
capacity, and he feels that he ought to be as tenacious of his civil 
and political rights as any other of our citizens. 

William Neumann, dealer in groceries, provisions, flour and 
feed, etc., corner of Park and Lapeer streets, was born in Ger- 
many in the year 1845. He came to East Saginaw in 1866. For 
the first two years he worked at the American House, and the two 
following years he clerked in the store of N. Schmelzer. He also 
clerked two years for II. & E. Goeschel. In 1872 he established a 
store of his own on the corner of Webster and Lapeer, where he 
carried on the grocery business successfully until 1878, when he 
removed into his new and commodious brick block, where he is 
doing a business of $20,000 annually on a capital stock of $5,000. 
The main building is 74x21 feet, and the addition, which he 
built in 1880, is 36x20 feet. Mr. Neumann was married in 1869 to 
Miss Caroline Bruegel. by whom he has 3 children — Mary, 
William and Henry. 

John E. Nolan, attorney at law, and Circuit Court Commis- 
sioner of Saginaw county, was born at East Saginaw, May 6, 1854. 
He is a son of Thomas and Johanna F. (Doyle) Nolan, natives of 
Ireland, the former of whom settled in this county Jan. 11, 1850. 
Mr. Nolan obtained his preliminary education in the public schools 
of this city, and in 1874 entered the University of Michigan, grad- 
uating from the law department March 29, 1876. Lie returned to 
East Saginaw, and for one year was a student in the law office of 



574 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Camp & Brooks. He opened an office for himself in November, 
1877, and has succeeded in building 1 up a very fair practice. Pie 
is Democratic in politics, and in November. 1878, was elected on 
that ticket as Circuit Court Commissioner, being re-elected in 1880. 
He was married May 6, 1879, to Mary J. Redmond, who was born 
at TJtica, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1856. Mr. Nolan and wife are members 
of the Roman Catholic Church. 

John O^Brien, of O'Brien & Millard, wholesale and retail dealers 
in wines and liquors, was born in Canada, Nov. 1, 1832, and is a 
son of Morgan and Catherine (Reardon) O'Brien, natives of Ireland. 
Mr. O'Brien was reared on a farm, and when 18 years of age, came 
to Saginaw county, intending to purchase a farm. He looked over 
a goodly portion of the land, but was not suited, and then went to 
Genesee county, where he purchased a farm, and remained until 
1858. In that year he returned to East Saginaw, and was proprietor 
of a public tavern on Water street, until 1865. He then erected a 
frame building on Genesee ave., which he stocked with groceries, 
but was burned out two years later, sustaining a heavy loss, as 
nothing was insured. He subsequently opened a wholesale and 
retail liquor house on Genesee ave., and a few years later erected a 
two-story brick on Franklin street, which the firm now occupies. 
In 1863, C. C. Millard was admitted into full partnership, and the 
firm has since been known as O'Brien & Millard. Mr. O'Brien was 
married in June, 1856, to Sarah Cashin, a native of Ireland. Two 
children are living — John J. and Fred W. Seven children are de- 
ceased. Mrs. O'Brien is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. 

John O 1 Donnell, a leading merchant of South Saginaw, was born in 
Stranorler, county of Donegal, Ireland, in the year 1836. He came 
to near Tiffin, Ohio, in 1848, where he clerked in a store for seven 
dollars a month, and in six years from that time he owned a half- 
interest in the store. He came to South Saginaw in 1865, and estab- 
lished a general store on Washington avenue near Mackinaw street. 
He afterward erected one of the finest frame blocks in Saginaw 
Valley, 65x40 feet, and in 1880 built an addition to it 40 feet in the 
rear. This is on Washington avenue above Mackinaw street, 
where he keeps a full line of groceries, provisions, grain and feed, 
dry-goods, clothing and boots and shoes. The annual sales of this 
firm amount to $45,000, and this is largely from the country. Mr. 
O'Donnell was married in 1866 to Miss Martha O'Donnell, by 
whom he had 8 children, 5 living — James, John, Francis, Rose M. 
and Mattie. Mrs. O'Donnell died Jan. 9, 1881. Mr. O'DonnelPs 
portrait appears on page 513. 

Patrick A. O'Donnell, lumberman and dealer in real estate, East 
Saginaw, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1840. He came to Roch- 
ester, New York, in 1854, and to East Saginaw in 1855, arriving 
hereon the 15th of November. In those days tamarack poles were 
used for sidewalks in East Saginaw, and the greater portion of the 
present city was a wilderness. Where the Everett House now 
stands was a dense forest. Mr. O'Donnell immediately engaged in 
the lumber business, in which he has been employed ever since. He 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 575 

■was Treasurer of Spalding tp. at the time it was annexed to East 
Saginaw. Mr. O'Donneil was married in 1873 to Miss Kittie M. 
Laughlan, in Toledo. Ohio. They have had 3 children, 2 living — 
John P. and Mary E. 

II'. J. o'Donnell, proprietor salt well and block, East Saginaw, 
is a native of Ireland. When nine years of age his parents settled in 
New York, where Mr. < >'Donnell received a liberal education. In 
I860 he removed to Saginaw City, and for some years was engaged 
in tanning and various occupations. In 1871 he opened a grocery 
on Hamilton street, where he erected two buildings at a cost of $5,- 
000. Mr. O'Donnell is also the owner of valuable farm property, 
and 36 building lots in South Saginaw. A description of his salt 
well and block will be found in the chapter on salt. 

John G. Owen, dealer in real estate, and proprietor of salt and 
lumber works, East Saginaw, is one of the most popular and well- 
known citizens of the Saginaw Valley. Mr. Owen was formerly a 
resident of Oakland county, where he had been engaged in business 
in the capacity of miller, merchant and farmer. In 1S65 he came to 
this county, and became identified with the grocery, lumber and 
supply trade of East Saginaw. In 1873 he established his present 
business, an account of which will be found among the salt and 
lumber interests of the county. Mr. Owen has served as Mayor, 
Alderman and Water Commissioner of East Saginaw, and in 1860 
was elected as Representative to the Michigan Legislature, serv- 
ing three sessions with marked ability. In 1861 he was made a 
member of the State Senate. Mr. Owen is an honest, faithful and 
efficient citizen, and an honor to East Saginaw and the V alley. 

T. J. Pdsxmore, of Ramsey & Passmore, carriage and wagon 
manufactures, East Saginaw, was born in Canada, and came to East 
Saginaw in 1867, and learned his trade with Houghton & Co. He 
subsequently worked for Baker & Mason, and in November, 1880, 
the present business was established. Roth members of the firm 
are practical workmen, and have built up a splendid trade since 
starting. Mr. Passmore entered the Fire Department, as pipeman, 
in February, 1880, and is now hydrantman. 

Aaron R. Penny, insurance agent, East Saginaw, is a native of 
Orange county, N. Y., where he was engaged in the mercantile 
trade for several years. He came West in 1848, and arrived at 
Saginaw City May 4, with $1,000 capital. He first located at Salina, 
(now South Saginaw), where he bought 71 acres of land. In 1851 
he removed to East Saginaw, and built a saw-mill, on what is now 
(renesee ave. In 1863 he sold the saw-mill to Warner & Eastman, 
and engaged with Mr. Gardner, in the manufacture of salt. In 
1865 he went to Canada and engaged in the oil trade. After some 
time he returned to East Saginaw, and in 1867, built the " Penny 
block," costing about $12,000. In 1869 he opened out as a hat 
and fur dealer, at which he continued until 1878, when he engaged 
in his present business. 

Jume* W. Perrin, manufacturer of and dealer in lumber, salt 
and shingles. The planing mill was built in 1871 by Edwards and 



57(6 HISTORY OK S.M.IXAM COUNTY. 

Sanborn, and At the time of its erection Mr. Perrin was acting as 
foreman. In March, 1873, he bought out the interest of Mr. San- 
horn and became a partner of Mr. Edwards. During the same 
year a shingle mill was added, and in 1870 a salt-block was erected, 
thus forming the foundation tor the large business done there at 
present. In February, L879, the firm dissolved partnership and Mr. 
Perrin became the sole proprietor of the works. The cost of the 
machinery is $14,000, and the mill turns out annually 14,000,000 
shingles. The salt well is 720 feet deep, and turns out 24,000 
bbls. salt annually. There are two engines, one 50-horse power, in 
the mill, and one 12-horse power in the drill house, and the entire 
works give employment to 35 men. 

Mr. Perrin was horn at Fairport. Monroe Co., N. Y. He was 
raised and brought up there until he was 13 years of age. when he 
began life for himself. During the war he enlisted in Company E, 
13th X. Y. Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 26, 1802. lie joined the regi- 
ment the day the battle of Antietam took place, on the 17th of 
September. In December. 1802. he was detailed Adjutant Clerk, 
which position he filled until April, 1863. He was with the army 
in seven important battles: Fredericksburg, Mine Run. Gettysburg. 
Chancellorville, Wilderness and other engagements. At the 
Battle of the Wilderness. May 5, 1864, he was taken prisoner and 
confined 10 months at Gordonsville, Danville and Andersonville. 
He was discharged June 20, 18<>5, and returned to Fairport. May 
14. L868, he was married to Mary Leonard, a native of New 
York. At the time of his marriage he was cashier and bookkeeper 
for Hill. Hamilton A: Co., general merchants, of Fairport, for seven 
years. In L872 he came to Saginaw, where he became engaged in 
his present business. Mr. Perrin, since he has been a resident of 
the county, has filled an active place in the business and political 
interests of the city. He has sen ed as Alderman in the 1st ward 
since 1879 and is the author of a book entitled " Wages and Interest 
Table. "published in ISTTand indorsed by the leading business men 
in the valley. 

Zoui-s Quinnin was born in Sandusky, Ohio, and is a son of 
Joseph Quinnin. who removed with his family to Detroit in 1^4o. 
Mr. Quinnin' served in the regular army during the late war. in the 
Horse Battery M. of the 2d V. S. Artillery, and participated in the 
first battle of Pull Run. Yorktown. both 'battles of Malvern Hill. 
Williamsburg, South Mountain, Antietam. Williamsport, Martins- 
burg. Stoneman's Raid. Gettysburg. Boonesboro, Ilagerstown. Bat- 
tle Mountain. Buckland Mills, Sheridan's Raid. Waynesborough. 
Petersburg, Richmond, Deep Creek. Sailor Creek, Five Forks. 
Appomattox Station. Appomattox Court-House. and others. — about 
50 in all. He was present at the time of Lee's surrender. He 
was wounded three times. After the close of the war. his regi- 
ment was sent to California, where. March 13. 1867, at Presidio 
barracks, San Francisco, he was discharged. Mr. Quinnin still has 
a portion of their flag that was shot to pieces at Gettysburg. 



CITY 01 EAS1 - M.INAW. •>( i 

He was guide-on-bearer at that time, and barely escaped being 
torn to pieces; for as soon as lie planted the flag between two can- 
nun, and stepped to one side, the balls and shells from the enemy 
completely tore the flag to pieces. He was married Jan. 9, 1868, 
to Miss Lionise Eartlep, by whom he has had 3 children; but one 
of these is now living, viz.: Louis C. 

Andrew JRamsay was bom in Canada, July 19, 1840, son of 
George and Isabella Ramsey. II is mother died at East Saginaw in 
April. 1873, while his father is now living at White Rock, Huron 
Co., this State. He was' brought up and educated in Canada, 
and lived there until he was" 24 years old. At the age of 14 
lie learned his trade, that of a blacksmith, and worked at it until 

1864, when he came to Michigan. lie first located in Huron 
county, where he remained for a year and a half, and then came to 
East Saginaw, where lie has made his home, with the exception of 
tour years passed on a farm in Bay county. April 19, 1S80, he opened 
his shop on (ass st., doingall kinds of carriage and heavier work. 
In November, 1880, he took in Thomas J. Passmore as a partner. 
who has been with him since, lie was married in 1865 in Huron 
county, to Maggie Gibson, and they have only 1 child living out 
of 4. His wife died in October. 1876, and in July, 1878, he 
was married again to Rosanna Loomis. They have 1 child. Mr. 
Ramsey has been a member of the Odd Fellows, in good standing, 
Bince 1878. 

Wm. R"pp was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, in 1843. In 
l^fiG he emigated to America, locating in Saginaw county. By 
occupation he is a butcher. His shop and residence are located 
near the corner of Lee and Wardsworth streets. In 1808 he was 
married to Miss Mary Gordan, a native of Frankenmuth tp., this 
county, where her parents, at this writing, are residing. By 
this marriage he has 5 children, viz. : William, Herman, Charlie, 
Lizzie and Charlie. Mr. R. is one of the live, go-ahead men of 
this place. 

^Ym. Rebec was born in Austria in- 1846; came to America in 

1865, first to Chicago, thence to Detroit, then to East Saginaw. 
His school davs were spent at or near his home in the old country, 
five years being spent at one of the leading seminaries- in his canton. 
He was Wood Inspector before the free bridge was built, since 
which time he has had charge of that. He is a member of the 
Bohemian Aid Society. He was married in Chicago^ in 1866, to 
Miss Leopoldina Herbeck, a native of Bohemia, her parents both 
deceased. They have 1 child, George. 

M. •/. lingers, superintendent of Mason & Coming's boat-yard, 
East Saginaw, was born in Maine, Dec. 1, 1830, and followed the 
ocean for several years and became an officer of a vessel. At the age 
of _ 1 years he learned a trade at Belfast Bay. and during the war was 
employed by the Government in building transports - . He came 
west in 1><52, and first located at Marine City, and for nine seasons 
was master of the " D. K. (Mint," " John F. Rust " and the " Buckeye 



578 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

State," owned by David Rust. He has been in charge of ship 
yards in the winter, and sailed the lakes in the summer, for the 
past eight years. 

D. F. Rose, dealer in lumber, East Saginaw, was born near Detroit, 
Mich., and in his youth received a liberal education. In 1860 he 
became established in the commission business at East Saginaw, 
and has risen in the ranks of the lumber profession with that rapidity 
which East Saginaw has risen to her eminent position among the 
cities of the "'"Wolverine State." In 1866 Mr. Rose was elected 
Alderman of East Saginaw, and for six years was an efficient mem- 
ber of the School Board. In 1877 he was appointed Treasurer of the 
East Saginaw Board of Trade, a position which he has since filled 
with signal ability. 

William A. Rose, a leading meat merchant of South Saginaw, 
was born in Lincolnshire, England, Aug. 26. 1840. He came with 
his parents to Pontiac, Mich., in 1849, and to Flint about the year 
1855. In 1862 he came to South Saginaw and established a meat 
market, in company with Ferd Leassia. He has been engaged in 
this business here ever since, except about seven years, which time 
he spent in Flint, Mich. Mr. Rose uses the improved ice box, or 
refrigerator, for keeping his fresh meats in warm weather, and is 
doing a good business, which is constantly on the increase. He 
was married in 1865 to Miss Sarah E. Francis, by whom he has 
4 children, Albert L., William L., Philo E. and Glen Ernest. 

Dr. J. S. Rouse, physician and surgeon, South Saginaw, was born 
near Toronto, Canada, Feb. 11, 1830, and is a son of Benajah Rouse. 
He received his literary education at Alamont, Mich., and attended 
the medical department of the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, 
for one and two-thirds terms. He then, in 1862, went into the 
war, as hospital steward of the 10th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf. In 
1863 he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 14th Mich. Reg., 
and in 1865 was appointed Surgeon of the 10th Mich. Reg. 
After the war he resumed his college course, graduating 
from the Bellevue Hospital College, of New York city, in 1866. 
The same year he came to South Saginaw, where he still resides, 
and has built up a good practice. The Doctor's extensive knowl- 
edge of surgery renders him more efficient in that branch of his 
profession than had he obtained but a mere collegiate course. He 
was married in February, 1S68, to Miss Sarah E. Hemingway, by 
whom he has 5 children — Kittie, Jay A., Hattie M., Jessie and 
Helen E. 

Fred Rump was born in Germany, March 30,1825. In 1856 
he came to East Saginaw, which was then mostly woods and water. 
During the first two years he worked at Dorr's mill, and one sum- 
mer at the Blue Mills. He then worked at coopering for two years 
for the Mayflower Mills. He then became foreman of Ten Eyck's 
cooper shop, which position he held one year, when he took charge 
of Sears' cooper shop, and ran it for seven years. InlS 66 he built a 
shop for himself on Second street, between Fitzhugh and Johnson 



( TIT OF EAST SAGINAW. 5T ( J 

where he still holds forth and is doing a good business. Mr. Rump 
was married in 1856 to Miss Sophia Hahn, by whom he has had 
7 children. 4 living — Willy. Albert, Henry and Louise. 

Aloney Rust was born Dec. S, 1818, in the town of Wells, Rut- 
land Co., Vermont. His advantages for education were those 
of the common schools of that date, and in them he mastered the 
rudiments of an education. His father was a farmer in moderate 
circumstances. In 18:57 the family removed to this State and set- 
tled at Newport (now Marine City), on the St. Clair river, where 
Mr. Rust remained until of age on a farm with his parents. About 
the time he obtained his majority he commenced sailing "before 
the mast" on the lakes, and obtained considerable skill as a navi- 
gator. About the year 3843 Mr. Rust, in company with his brother, 
David W. Rust, built a vessel which was known as the schooner "Ver- 
mont." Aloney, having the most experience, was selected as Captain, 
and after a few years of success they sold the vessel. In 1846 Mr. 
Rust, with his brother, David W., built a steam saw-mill at New- 
port, which they operated until 1859, and during that time they 
acquired an experience in the lumber business, which resulted in 
their having rightly obtained the reputation of being honest and 
successful business men. In 1851 Mr. Rust commenced the selec- 
tion of pine lands on the tributaries of the Saginaw and many other 
rivers in this State, which contributed largely to the success of 
himself and associates. In 1857, with his brothers, he commenced 
active lumber business in the Saginaw Valley by building a steam 
^aw-mill at the upper end of Saginaw river, now within the cor- 
porate limits of East Saginaw, and from that time until his death, 
which occurred Sept. 18, 1874, he was largelj 7 engaged in the man- 
ufacture of lumber and salt, and was part owner in barge lines, steam 
and other vessel property on the lakes. He was interested in a 
large lumber yard in Cleveland and in extensive tracts of pine land 
in this State and Wisconsin, as well as iron mines and farm prop- 
erty. During the last 10 years of his life his time was principally 
employed in the management of extensive lumber operations on 
the west side of the State, in company with his brother, David W., 
James Sanborn and others. The business was principally done at 
Muskegon, and the result of his operations was remunerative and 
satisfactory. He amassed a large fortune by his industry, energy 
and economy. He was a true friend and good neighbor. His life 
was devoted largely to the aggrandizement of his family, which con- 
sisted, at his death, of a wife, 4 sons and 2 daughters. His early 
death was regretted by his family and a very large circle of friends 
whom he had assisted in very many ways, and often to his great 
pecuniary loss. Mr. Rust's energy and success in his early busi- 
ness life did much to inspire the younger members of his father's 
family with a proper ambition, which proved of great value to them 
in after life. 

David W. Rust was born March 24, 1821, in the town of Wells, 
Rutland Co., Vt. His advantages for education were tho=e 

35 



580 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

of the common schools of that date, and in them he mastered the 
rudiments of an education. His father was a farmer in moderate 
circumstances. In 1837 the family removed to this State, and 
settled at Newport (now Marine City), on the St. Clair river, where 
Mr. Rust remained on a farm, with his parents, until of age. Im- 
mediately after he obtained his majority he learned the ship-car- 
penter's trade, which was of vast benefit to him in after life. In 
1843 Mr. Rust, in company with his brother, Aloney Rust, built 
a vessel which was known as the schooner "Vermont." This ves- 
sel they sailed for several years and did a profitable business, Alo- 
ney acting as Captain, and David " before the mast." After a few 
years they sold the vessel, and commenced lumber operations, by 
building a steam saw-mill at Newport in 1846, and they operated 
the mill until 1859, when Mr. David W. Rust removed to East 
Saginaw, where he remained until his death, Oct. 4, 1880. In 1851 
Mr. Rust, with his brothers, commenced purchasing pine land on 
the tributaries of the Saginaw and other rivers in this State, and 
in 1857 they built a steam saw-mill at the upper end of Saginaw 
river, now within the corporate limits of East Saginaw; a few 
years later they built a steam saw-mill at Bay City, and when salt 
was discovered in the Saginaw Valley they added extensive salt 
works to their mills. He was the managing partner in very exten- 
sive lumber operations and salt manufactories in the Saginaw 
Valley. He was the managing partner, and superintended the con- 
struction of a large number of steam vessels, sailing vessels and 
barges on the lakes, which proved profitable and satisfactory to all 
interested. He was part owner in a large lumber yard at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, held large tracts of pine land in this State and Wiscon- 
sin; also iron and farming lands. Mr. Rust amassed a large 
fortune through his attention to business, solid, practical sense, 
and sturdy integrity. He was from his boyhood until his death the 
guiding spirit in business matters of his father's family, and his 
brothers and others attribute very much of their well-known busi- 
ness success to his good judgment and advice. He helped others 
to help themselves. He was a good son, husband, father and 
brother. He left a wife, 3 sons and 1 daughter. 

Col. Thomas Sayler, Postmaster of East Saginaw, was born 
at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1831. When 21 years of age he proceeded 
to New York city, and embarked in what is usually termed the 
"saw trade." In 1858 he located at East Saginaw, engaging in 
the same business until the beginning of the war, when he raised 
a company of the 3d Mich. Cav., and was chosen Captain. Pro 
ceeding to the front, the 3d entered the Army of the Cumberland, 
and Capt. Sayler was soon jH'omoted to Major. Shortly after the 
battle of Corinth, he was commissioned as Colonel. After the 
war he returned to East Saginaw, and in connection with C. W. 
Grant, engaged in the lumber trade. In 1868 he was appointed 
to his present position by President Grant, and has faithfully dis- 
charged the duties of that office to the present time. 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 581 

Wemtry Schntidt. — -This enterprising meat merchant is located 
on Fifth, between Fitzhugh and Johnson struct-. East Saginaw. 
He keeps constantly on hand a full supply of all kinds of meats, 
both -alt and fresh. Eis facilities for preserving fresh meat" in 
warm weather arc excellent. The refrigerator is eight by eight 
feet, and seven feet high. The walls are double, with double 
strata <if thick paper on the inside of each wall, and over the 
t< >p he keeps three tons of ice, which makes the box very cold, and at 
the same time it is kept perfectly dry. Mr. Schmidt is a native of 
Germany, ami came to New York city in 1852. In 1855 he came to 
East Saginaw, and worked at the butcher's trade and other labor for 
sometime. He first began business in 1871, on Lapeer street, 
and in 1874 he removed his shop to the present location on Fifth 
street. Mr. Schmidt was married in September, 1857, to Miss 
Anna Leinberg. 

0. J. Showers^ proprietor of the Reed House. This house was 
built in the winter of 1874 by G-eorge Reed, who conducted it 
three years, and then it was bought by O. J. Showers in 1876, 
who is the proprietor at the present time. It is a large frame 
building, located at the East Saginaw depot, on the Penoyerfarm. 
Mr. Showers was born in Rochester, X. Y., June 13, 1836. He 
lived with his parents until he was 20 years of age, and then went 
to Jackson county, where he remained five years. He came to 
Saginaw in 1861; is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and has 
worked at it here eight years. He owned and ran a shingle and 
lumber mill at Hemlock City for over six years, and then bought 
the hotel which he now manages. He was married at Dexter, 
Mich., Aug. 1, 1859, to Miss Jennie E. Jefferies, a niece of Dr. 
C. A. Jefferies, of Ann Arbor. They have 3 children, of whom 
2 girls are married, the youngest one living at home. He also 
has a restaurant and saloon opposite the hotel, which he has run 
for the past six years. 

Arnold P. Slices (^deceased). This worthy man was born near 
White Hall, New .York, March 27, 1831. He was brought upon 
his father's farm, and his educational advantages were none save 
those furnished by the common schools. From 1850 to 1853, he 
was employed on the U. S. ship, "Congress." In 1851 he came 
to Romeo, Mich., where he remained until 1864, and then re- 
moved to East Saginaw. He was a prominent builder and con- 
tractor, having erected some fine buildings in this place; among 
them are the Lloyd House, the First Baptist church, the brick 
building formerly used for the jail in South Saginaw, and a large 
brick block for himself in that part of the city. He also erected 
the county jail at Midland. Mich. Mr. Sikes saw life in its 
worst phases, as well as in its best. He was an earnest and honest 
worker in whatever he undertook. Lie was married in I860 to 
Miss Sarepta, daughter of Abram Axford, a native of Warren 
county, New Jersey, and an early settler of Oakland Co., Mich. 
It would be in keeping here to remark that this same Abram Ax- 
ford and his lady celebrated their golden wedding in 1870, and are 



582 HISTORY OF SAGINAW county. 

both still living, and well and hearty, Mr. and Mrs. Sikes had 3 
children, of whom but 1 is living — Jessie, a bright girl of 12 or 13 
summers. Two grown daughters, and accomplished ladies, died in 
1880. Air. Sikes died Dec. 14, 1877, loved and respected by all. 
He had been a member of the Baptist Church since 185*5, and a faith- 
ful, earnest worker in the Master's cause. For nine years he su- 
perintended the South Saginaw Sabbath-school, and was also a 
Deacon in the Baptist Church in that part of the city before remov- 
ing to East town proper. He was a kind husband and father, and 
a valuable member of society. The city lost a useful man in the 
death of Mr. Sikes. 

Miss M. S medley justly ranks among the leading dress-makers 
of East Saginaw. She became established in business at 110 Gen- 
esee street, and through her own designs in the dress-making art, 
and unusual talents as a business lady, soon placed herself far in the 
lead among those who cater to the fashionable wants of the elite 
of East Saginaw. Miss Smedley employs some fifteen artistes in 
her extensive establishment, who are selected for the superior ability 
and unrivaled dexterity so necessary in the construction of the ele- 
gant and lovely raiments of the present day. Miss Smedley also 
operates a branch establishment at Bay City. 

Charles H. Smith, of Smith & Goodale, proprietors Central Mills, 
East Saginaw, was born in Union tp., Tolland Co., Conn., Feb. 16, 
1839, and is a son of Jndson and Cynthia (Hammond) Smith, of 
English and Scotch descent. When 18 years of age Mr. Smith was 
in the boot and shoe manufactory ofJudson Smith & Son. Bing- 
hamton, N. Y., where he remained seven years. In July, 1865, 
he came to East Saginaw, and for many years was the senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Chas. H. Smith & Co., at one time having branch 
stores in Saginaw and Bay Cities. In 1876 he sold out his interest 
to his brother, and in 1877-'8 had charge of the wholesale Western 
trade of Anderson, Gregg & Co., shoe manufacturers of Bingham- 
ton, N. Y. He then bought property on the corner of Franklin 
and Fitzhugh streets, and started the Central Mills, soon after ad- 
mitting Marion Goodale, of Delhi Mills, Washtenaw Co., Mich., as 
a partner. Mr. Smith was married at Bingham ton, N. Y., June 
16, 1863, to Frances L., daughter of Hallam E. and Elizabeth L. 
(Lathrop) Pratt, who was born in New York, Dec. 3, 1841. They 
have 4 children — Annie, born Feb. 22, 1869; Charles J., born Oct. 
11, 1871; Hallam P., born Jan. 28, 1875, and Louisa, born Jan 26, 
1880. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Congregational Church. 
When Mr. Smith was 14 years of age he suffered a most peculiar 
and distressing accident. He had visited his uncle's spoke and hub 
factory at Dexter, Jefferson Co., N". Y., and while there accidentally 
stepped on around piece of wood, which, turning suddenly, threw 
him against a 30-inch circular saw. Before he could be extricated 
from his perilous position his left arm was severed to the elbow r 
joint, his stomach cut open, three ribs broken, and his liver cut 
into two pieces. He was attended by Dr. Grafton, of Watertown, 



om 01 EAST SAGINAW. 583 

and Dr. Trowbridge, both excellent surgeons, and, strange to relate, 
he recovered rapidly, and is now perfectly well. This remarkable 
case was duly recorded at the time, by the medical journals of the 
Empire State. 

Harlem P"ye Smith, attorney at law, was born in Hartland, Liv- 
ingston Co., Mich., April 3, 1843, and is a son of Beriah G. and 
I letaey (Gale) Smith, natives of New York. Mr. Smith assisted his 
father on the farm until 20 years of age, attending the district 
schools of Hartland and the High school at Fenton. lie then entered 
tiie University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, graduating from the 
law department in the class of '67. He was admitted to the bar the 
sam-e year, and soon after opened a law office at East Saginaw. In 
January, ls7'>, he formed a partnership with his brother, Irving M. 
Smith, which relationship continued until the death of the latter in 
Is?! 1 ). In connection with his law practice Mr. Smith does an ex- 
tensive business in real estate, and in making abstracts of titles. He 
is a member of the Republican party, and in 1881 was elected a 
member of the School Board. Mr. Smith was united in marriage in 
October, 1n7<>. to xllice E., daughter of Marvin and Ellen I. (Fisher) 
Ingersol!, early pioneers of Saginaw county. Mrs. Smith is a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church. One child has been sent to bless this 
union — Harlan Ingersol], born Feb. 17, ls72. 

Hiram V. Smith, head sawyer at Rust's mill, South Saginaw, 
was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1846. He came to Bay City 
in 1868, and sawed for his present employers in that place for six 
years. He has sawed for them in the present mill for six years 
also. He was married July 13, 1870, to Miss Emma Slade, by whom 
he has had 1 children, 3 living — Louis P., Wilford and Ella M. 

Thomas Steele, proprietor of the Pioneer Boiler Works of East 
Saginaw, was born at Glasgow, Scotland, where he learned his trade, 
serving as apprentice under Sir Robert Naples, the Queen's engi- 
neer. In 1*44 he removed to Canada, where he remained two years. 
During this period he assisted in the building of iron vessels for 
Hon. John Hamilton and Captain Sutherland. From Canada he 
went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was engaged in business with 
John Newman. At the expiration of two years he settled at De- 
troit, Mich., and for seven years served as an invaluable foreman for 
the firm of Kendricktfe DeGraff. In 1850 he established his present 
business at East Saginaw, in a building 20x3<» feet in size. During 
the years '57 and '58 he controlled almost the entire trade of the 
Valley. Business increased so rapidly that he was forced to erect 
more commodious quarters, and the same reason in 186S compelled 
him to erect the present boiler shops. Mr. Steele turns out a su- 
perior class of work, and is well patronized by the citizens of Sag- 
inaw county and elsewhere. 

George W. Stevens, of Remington & Stevens, wholesale grocers, 
East Saginaw, was born at Newboro, Province of Ontario, Canada, 
July 3, 1845. He is a son of James B. and Elizabeth (Hartwell) 
Stevens, natives of Vermont. George was reared to manhood in 



584 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

his native land, receiving only limited educational advantages. 
When young he entered the employ of John Chaffey, dealer in 
lumberman's supplies, at Bedford Mills, Ontario, as a clerk, and 
was finally placed in charge of the entire business, remaining in 
such position for 14 years. In 186S he came to East Saginaw, and 
was engaged in locating land for a short period. He subsequently 
became a member of the firm of Stevens Bros., salt manufacturers. 
South Saginaw, remaining there four years. In 1878, in connection 
with Herman Blankerts, he purchased Win. McBain's stock of 
groceries, and has since been engaged in that business. Mr. Stevens 
was married March 1, 1866, to Sarah E. Whitmarsh, a native of 
New York. They have 3 children — George F., aged 14 years, 
Elizabeth, aged seven years, and Hattie, an infant. Mr. Stevens and 
wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. S., in politics, is, to 
use his own expression, a a straight Republican." He is connected 
with the A. O. U. W., and once served as G. G. F. of the Grand 
Lodge of Michigan. 

Sames Stewart, of the firm of James Stewart & Co., wholesale 
grocers and dealers in shingles, salt and lumbermen's supplies, East 
Saginaw, was born at Stratford, Canada, in 1845, and the same year 
was taken by his parents to Detroit, Mich., where he grew to man- 
hood and received a liberal education. In 1867 he became general 
manager of J. L. Hurd & Co.'s line of steamers, continuing as 
such for several years. Mr. Stewart's father, Duncan Stewart, is 
a well-known steamboat and grain man of this State, having re- 
sided in Detroit for 57 years. In 1872 James Stewart became estab- 
lished in his present business at East Saginaw, and that year the 
annual sales of the firm amounted to $200,000. At present they 
exceed four times that sum. In 1881 the present firm commenced 
operations, and at present control about 90 per cent, of the salt 
trade outside of combinations. They also are probably the largest 
dealers in shingles in the Valley. 

William H. Sweet, of Sweet & McArthur, attorneys at law, was 
born at New York city, in 1809. His parents were Benjamin and 
Jerusha (Halstead) Sweet, natives of Dutchess Co., 1ST. Y. William 
remained at New York city until 11 years of age, when his parents 
removed to Orange Co., N. Y. Here he remained seven years, assist- 
ing his father on the farm, and attending the district school when 
opportunity afforded. He then attended the academy at Mont- 
gomery, N. Y., three years, and was subsequently employed as a sales- 
man in a grocery house at New York city. He finally purchased 
an interest in the business, where he remained four years. In 1850 
he caught the " Western fever," and that year located in Saginaw 
City. He was engaged in the mercantile trade, and in connection 
with Franklin Millard erected a saw-mill, which the firm operated 
for three and a half years. In 1853 Mr. Sweet entered the law 
office of Judge Jabez G. Sutherland, remaining as his partner four 
years. In 1857 he was admitted to the bar, and continued his 
practice at that city until 1880, when he removed to East Saginaw. 



I I IV OF EAST SAGINAW. 585 

In January, L881, .the present partnership was formed. While 
a resident of Saginaw City Mr. Sweet was Supervisor, and 
chairman of the Board in 1853 and L857; Prosecuting Attorney 
from I860 to 1863; Mayor two terms; and a member of the School 
Board for seven years; located the pre&ent site of the Central 
school building, and was largely instrumental in the erection of 
that maguificent structure. He was married, in 1846, to Arminda 
Tooker, a native of Orange Co., N". Y. Of the 8 children 
born to them. 7 are living— Fred B., Clerk of Saginaw county; 
Emma, wife or' .lira S. Martin, of SaginawCity; Lawrence P.; Wil- 
liam, clerk of the Taylor House, Saginaw City; Sumner, a resi- 
dent of New York city; Bessie and Minnie. Harry is deceased. 
Mrs. Sweet died in 1874, and in L876 Mr. W. was united in mar- 
riage toAnna Rogers,a native of Chemung Co., X. Y. 

ttev. Richa/rd Sweeney was horn in Johnstown, County Kil- 
kenny. Ireland. May, 1848; attended grammar school in his 
native village until 15 years of age, when his father sent him to 
the College of Koulers. West Flanders, Belgium. He spent the 
first year in acquiring a knowledge of the French tongue, to enable 
him to prosecute his other studies, French being the language 
spoken in all institutions in that country. He remained in the 
college four years, going through a regular course of classical 
studies. When these studies were completed, he entered the theo- 
logical department in the University of Louvain, remaining there 
three years, graduated, and was ordained priest in 1870. Then 
he returned to Ireland, visited his parents and set out for the Uni- 
ted States to report for duty to Bishop Borgess, of the .Roman 
Catholic Diocese ot Detroit, and was assigned to the county mis- 
sion of Silver Creek. Cass Co. He labored in this congregation 
for three years, when he was transferred by his bishop to take 
charge of the St. Joseph's congregation, where he is at present. 

Timothy K. Tarsney, attorney at law, was born in Hillsdale Co., 
Mich.. Feb. 4, 1849, and is a son of Timothy and Mary A. (Mur- 
ray i Tarsney, natives of Ireland, the former of whom died when 
the subject of this sketch was six years of age. He resided on 
the farm until 13 years old, receiving only the limited education 
afforded by the district schools. At the hitter age, his mother re- 
moved to Hudson, Mich., and a year later, Mr. T. went to the 
State of Tennessee. During the war he was employed by the 
Government as switchman on the military railroads leading out of 
Nashville. In May. 1865, became to Michigan, and was employed 
in a machine shop at Hudson, and a year later located at Sagi- 
naw City, where he was employed as engineer in the old Shattuck 
saw-mill. He subsequently came to East Saginaw, and obtained 
a commission as F. S. Inspector of steam and sailing vessels, 
which position he occupied until 1872, sailing on the Lakes din- 
ing each summer season, and going to school in the winters. In 
the fall of 1870, he entered the law department of the University 
of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1872. The following 



586 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

spring he opened a law office at East Saginaw, where he has suc- 
ceeded in obtaining a large and remunerative practice. In the 
spring of 1S63, he was elected Justice of the Peace, but resigned a 
year later; was City Attorney in 1875-'6-'7, and member of School 
Board for four years; was Democratic nominee for Congress in 
1880, but was defeated by R. G. Horr, the present incumbent. 
Mr. Tarsney was married, Oct. 1, 1873, to Kittie O'Brien, a native 
of Ann Arbor, Mich. Of their 3 children, 1 survives — Isabel, 
born April 17, 1879. Paul and Katie are deceased. Mr. T. and 
wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church. 

Scmford B. Teed, Alderman of the Eighth ward, East Saginaw, 
was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Jan. 11, 1839, and is a son of 
Truman B. Teed. At the age of 16 he learned the painter's trade, 
and has become very efficient. He does all kinds of work, from 
house painting to sign, and fine buggy striping. In September, 
1861, he enlisted in the U. S. army, in Co. F., 75th N. Y. Inf. 
Serving his time there he enlisted in Co. E. of the same regiment, 
and remained until after the close of the war. lie participated in 
the engagements of PortgHudson, Labadieville, Cane River, Win- 
chester, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, and others. He was taken 
prisoner at Cedar Creek, and was in Libby prison five months. He 
came to Bay City in 1867, and to South Saginaw in 1869. He 
was married March 4, 1870, to Miss Ella Davenport, by whom he 
has 1 son, George J. 

Charles Ten Eyck (deceased), the founder of the firm of C. & E. 
Ten Eyck, manufacturers of salt, shingles and staves, East Saginaw, 
was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., May 22, 1839. His parents were 
Jacob and Sarah (Tan Alsten) Ten Eyck, the former of whom was 
a merchant of that county. Charles attained manhood's years in 
his native State, and obtained his earlier education in the schools ot 
Stockbridge. His ambition was to become a proficient civil engi- 
neer and architect, and to further that end he took a course of study 
in the Polytechnical Institute, of Troy, 1ST. Y. Having mastered 
the details of his profession, in 1858, he visited Detroit, Mich., and 
entered the office of a well-known architect of that city. In 1860 
he came to East Saginaw, and soon after erected a saw-mill. The 
manufacture of staves was made a part of the business, and in 1S61 
his cousin, Egbert Ten Eyck, became a member of the firm. By 
strict attention to business, the two brothers soon established a 
lucrative trade, and in 1875 bored several salt wells, commencing the 
manufacture of that staple article. In 1 864 Mr. Ten Eyck was united 
in marriage to Isabella, daughter of William and Caroline (Smith) 
Dollbeer, a native of Wyoming Co., N. Y. Two children were born 
to this union — Alfred and Charles D. Mr. Ten Eyck officiated as a 
member of the School Board and Common Council of East Saginaw, 
and was recognized as a man of undeniable integrity and spotless 
character. He departed this life at Denver, Col., aged 37 years. 

Bradley M. Thompson, attorney at law. was born at Milford, 
Oakland Co., Mich., April 16, 1835, and is a son of Robert M. and 



CITY OF EAST SAGINAW. 587 

Maria (Short) Thompson, father a native of Vermont, mother of New 
York. Mr. Thompson entered the l ; terary department of the 
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated 
in 1858, and from the law department in the class of I860. He 
subsequently came to East Saginaw and opened a law office. In 
the fall of L862 he enlisted in Co. G., 7th Mich. Caw, as Captain, 
and at the close of the war was discharged as Brevet Lieut.-Col. He 
then went to Milford, Mich., where he remained during 1866 -'7, 
and since then has been a resident of this city. He was City 
Attorney in L874-'6, and in the spring of 1877 was elected Mayor of 
East Saginaw, serving two terms. He was nominated by the 
Democratic party for Congressman from the 8th district in 1S78 
but was defeated by the present incumbent, R. G. Horr. Mr 
Thompson was married in 1860 to Marianne Lind, of Ann Arbor 
a native of London, Eng. They have 2 children — Isadore and 
Guv 15. Mr. T. and wife are members of the Episcopal Church. 

James Tolhert, manufacturer and dealer in lumber, lath, shingles 
and hard woods, East Saginaw, was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., 
and from his youth has been more or less identified with the lum- 
ber traffic. In 1*63 he began business at East Saginaw with rather 
limited means, and his success has been both remarkable and 
agreeably surprising. He first purchased a small tract of timbered 
land in Tuscola countv, the logs from which wave him his first 
start in life. As his means accumulated he invested in farming 
lands, and the first year cut 962,000 feet of lumber, which sold for 
87. sU and $34 per thousand feet. Mr. Tolbert owns over 13,000 
acres of pine and farming lands, and deals extensively in all kinds 
of lumber. 

George Van Vliet, proprietor livery stable on Tuscola, between 
Cass and Jefferson streets. East Saginaw, was born in Seneca 
county, ^s. Y., June 12, 1853. He was reared on a farm, and 
attended the district schools until 16 years of age. In the fall of 
1873 he came to this city and entered the employment of Harvey 
& Coleman, with whom he remained two years. He was engaged 
with Root & Medley, liquor dealers, four years, and with C. Mer- 
rill & Co. two and a half years. He began business for himself 

on June 18, 1881, and has succeeded in obtaining a large share of 
ill- 
the public patronage. 

WtUiam Lewis Webber, Land Commissioner and General Solicitor 
of the F. & P. M. R. R., residence East Saginaw, was born in 
< >gden tp.. Monroe Co., X. Y., July 10. 1825. His parents were 
• lames S. and Phoebe (Smith) Webber; father a native of Maine, 
mother of the State of New York. In 1836 James S. Webber 
removed with his family to Hartland tp., Livingston Co., Mich., 
locating on a farm which he had previously entered at the Gov- 
ernment land office at Detroit. Here William L. Webber remained, 
assisting his father in clearing and working the farm, attending 
schools in winter and pursuing his studies at home, with the assist- 
ance of an elder brother, as opportunity offered, his principal 



588 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

studies being algebra, geometry, mensuration, natural philosophy 
and chemistry. He pursued these studies largely under the tuition 
of an old friend. Charles Ross (since deceased), who possessed 
superior educational faculties, his principal forte being mathemat- 
ics. For his disinterested kindness Mr. Webber cherishes his 
memory with respect and affection. In 1844-'5, Mr. W. taught a 
school in the neighborhood. In the latter year occurred the death 
of his mother, which had the effect of the final separation of the 
family. His brother, James Z. Webber, died in 1847. William 
resolved to study medicine, and to that end entered the office of 
Foote & Mowry, Milford, Oakland Co.. Mich., where he remained 
two years, and then abandoned it for the law. In 1848 he opened 
a select school at Milford, which lie continued for two years. In 
1851 he was admitted to the bar, and soon after opened a law office 
at Milford. The same year he visited East Saginaw for the first 
time, and was so favorably impressed with the prospects that he 
resolved as soon as circumstances would admit, to make it his 
future home. On March 15, 1853, he opened an office at East 
Saginaw. In June, 185T, John J. Wheeler entered into partner- 
ship with him under the firm name of Webber cV: Wheeler, which 
relation continued till Dec. 31, 1860. In 1863 Irving M.Smith 
formed a co-partnership with Mr. Webber in the law business. 
and remained with him until the close of 1869. When the F. A: 
P. M. R. R, was being constructed in 1850, Mr. Webber acted as 
its solicitor, and that relation continued until March 1, 1870, when 
he was also appointed Land Commissioner. He then gave up his 
general law practice, and since the latter date has given his 
exclusive attention to the business of the law and land 
departments of that road, officiating as a Director of the 
company since 1864. In politics Mr. Webber has always been a 
Democrat. From 1854 to 1856 he served as Circuit Court 
Commissioner of this county, and was subsequently elected 
Prosecuting Attorney. In the spring of 1874, he was elected 
Mayor of East Saginaw, and in the fall of the same year was chosen 
to represent this district in the State Senate. Before the fact was 
demonstrated, and while it was only suspected that salt existed at 
Saginaw, Mr. Webber drafted the Bounty Bill, which was passed 
by the Legislature during the session of 1850, being a bill to en- 
courage the manufacture of salt. Hon. James Birney, now l T . S. 
Minister at the Hague, was then State Senator from this district, 
and the bill was sent to him, and largely by his efforts, passed the 
Senate. Immediately after the passage of the bill, Mr. Webber 
prepared a subscription list, and in two days' time had secured suf- 
ficient stock subscriptions to organize a company for the manufac- 
ture of salt. The subscribers met, and organized as a corporation 
under the manufacturing laws of the State, as the East Saginaw 
Salt Manufacturing Company, They immediately bored an experi- 
mental well at East Saginaw, 670 feet in depth, and the existence 
of brine in large quantities, and its value for salt-making purposes 
were satisfactorily demonstrated. Mr. Webber was Secretary and 



CIT? OF EAST SAGINAW. ~> v '-» 

a Director in the company for several years. At the National 
Democral Convention at St. Louis, in 1876, Mr. Webber was Chair- 
man of the Michigan delegation, and introduced a resolution, 
adopted by the convention, recommending the abolition of the 
Bo-called two-thirds rule He was the nominee on the Democrat 
ticket tor Governor in the fall of l s 7»'». and received more votes 
than had been previously cast for the successful candidate for that 
office in the State, and more votes thangiven to the Presidential 
Electors on the same ticket. Mr. Webber became a member of 
Saginaw Lodge No. 77. F. &. A. M., of East Saginaw, in 1855, the 
year of its organization. Norman Little was first, W. L. P. Little 
second, and Mr. Webber the third member initiated into the lodge. 
The two former being dead. Mr. Webber is the oldest Saginaw- 
made Mason now living. He was Master of this lodge three years; 
was made a R. A. M. in Washington Chapter, at Flint, and in 
1864, was a charter member of Saginaw Valley Chapter, No. 31, 
located at East Saginaw, serving as High Priest for three years. 
In 1869 he was elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter 
of Michigan. In L874 was elected Grand Master of the Grand 
Lodge of F. & A. M., of Michigan; is also a member of St. Ber- 
nard Com., No. L6, of Knights Templar, and was Eminent Com. 
one year. He united with the 1. <).( ). F. in 1847. Mr. Webber 
has taken great interest in the promotion of the agricultural inter- 
est- of the Saginaw Valley and Northern Michigan. He has been 
connected with the Executive Boards of the State Pomological 
Society, and the State Agricultural Society, and was elected Presi- 
dent of the latter in L878. 

William L. Webber as a business man, is prompt, methodical, 
and exact; as a lawyer, he ranks among the first in the State; as a 
man. is generous, sympathetic, social and the very soul of honor 
and integrity. lie was married in October, 1849, to Nancy M. 
Withington, only daughter of Edward and Nancy (Monk) Witning- 
ton, of Springwater, Livingston county, N. V. They have 2 
daughters— Florence Ann, born at Milford, Mich., in 1850, mar- 
ried to James B. Peter, of Fast Saginaw, in 1873, and Frances E., 
who was born in 1854. 

Wiche8 Bms.. founders and machinists, Fast Saginaw, for- 
merly of the firm of II. W. Wood & Co.. and was composed of II. 
W. Wood, II. D and F. N. Wickes. This firm was established at 
Flint, Mich., in L854, where they remained until 1860. They then 
removed to this city, and erected a building 35x150 feet in size, 
one-story high, on the site of the present establishment. They 
employed 36 men, but business increased so rapidly that they were 
soon forced to erect larger and more commodious facilities for their 
ever increasing trade. Their buildings are located on Water street, 
where they manufacture gang-saws, and ail kinds of engine work. 
They employ over 75 men in their business, and the machinery 
manufactured finds a ready sale throughout the Northwestern 
State-. II. I). Wickes, of the firm, was horn in Yates county, X. 
V.. and learned his trade at IVnn Van. in the same State. 



590 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

William Williamson, leading blacksmith ol East Saginaw, was 
born in Canada, April 30, 1848. He came to East Saginaw in 
1859, and worked as a common laborer until 1863, when lie began 
learning his trade with his brother Henry, in the same place where 
he now works. In the spring of 1871 he bought his brother's lots 
and shop, etc., and began for himself. In 1873 he erected a two- 
story brick shop, 60x32 feet, in which are carried on all kinds of 
ship work, saw-mill and salt-works blacksmithing, and general 
blacksmithing. He erected an addition in 1881, 30x22 feet, in 
which he has an engine, used for cutting bolts, drilling, etc. On 
the second floor he does steam and gas-pipe fitting. Mr. William- 
son's work in each department is first-class. He was married in 
1876, to Miss Abbie E. Hawley, by whom he has had 3 children, 
1 living, viz. : Abbie C. Mrs. Williamson died Nov. 16, 1879. 

Joseph M. Wilson, physician, in Meyers' Block, Washington 
avenue, East Saginaw, was born in York county, near Toronto, Can- 
ada, Sept. 24, 1851, and is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He attended 
the schools of York county until 15 years of age and completed 
his literary education at the Victoria University, where he re- 
mained four years and also studied the preliminary course in the- 
ology. He was engaged in teaching several years, and in 1873 
entered McGill Medical College, of Montreal, from which he grad- 
uated in the spring of 1877. He practiced in the hospitals one 
year. He came to East Saginaw June 21, 1878, and has built up 
<|iiite an extensive practice. He was married Oct. 17, 1878, to 
Alfaretta, daughter of William and Flora (Sterks) Willis, a native 
of Canada. Thev have one " bonnie lad," Herodotus R., born 
Nov. 12, 1880. 

Fred. Zarnko was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1827; 
his father, Fredrick, sr., followed tobacco-growing, employing a 
large number of men. In 1856 Fred, jr., emigrated to America, 
coming direct to Saginaw Co. His first purchase was a lot now lo- 
cated on 5th street, which was then in the woods. Upon this he 
built a small house, having to carry the lumber three blocks on his 
back, a team being unable to get through on account of water. In 
1872 he moved to the corner of 9th and Wardsworth streets, where 
he opened a general grocery store. In 1856 he was married to 
Miss Augusta Berrion, her father being a large woolen manufacturer 
in Russia. Of the family of 6 children 4 are living — Bertha, 
Alice, Georgie and Albert. Mr. Z. is one of the old citizens to 
whom much credit is due for his energy and public-spiritedness 
exhibited at an early day. 

E. Zechel, merchant tailor, East Saginaw, is a native of Bohe- 
mia, Germany, and came to America in 1853. He first located in 
New York city where he found employment as a journeyman. 
Mr. Zechel came to East Saginaw in 1876, and for four years was 
employed by Frank Wilkins as a cutter. In 1880 he established 
his present business, and ranks among the most skillful of his 
trade. He was married at New York City, April 19, 1858, to 
Josephine Lauer, a native of Bavaria. Of their 3 children, 
one is living — Albert, born Feb. 9, 1874. 



SAGINAW TOWNSHIP. 

In the compilation of this work every subject of importance lias 
been taken from, or compared with, the records, and the unwrit- 
ten, or legendary, submitted to the pioneers for confirmation. In 
many cases extracts have been made from the writings of the most 
prominent men among the old settlers ; because the times which 
they passed in review, and the exquisite manner in which they 
treated their subjects, tended to render their reminiscences invalu- 
able, if not absolutely necessary for a complete history. Doubtless 
many important events are omitted in the county history; but it 
will appear that such, being so intimately connected with Saginaw 
City, receive a full notice in the pages devoted to this division of 
the county. The biographical chapters are not the least interest- 
ing. They necessarily comprise much historical matter, and as the 
lives of the men brought under notice are entwined closely with 
the progress of the county, so also do their biographies com- 
mingle with history, and, combined, form subject matter at once 
entertaining and instructive. 

The history of the Churches contains much valuable informa- 
tion. It bears important testimony to the activity of the times, 
and proves that the spiritual matters progressed evenly with the 
temporal. Comparatively few years have elapsed since the God of 
Christians was worshiped under two or three different forms. 
Now, no less than .30 religious societies adore Him in 30 different 
ways within the cities. There is, however, one consolatory reflec- 
tion, and that is the beautiful fraternity which binds all the denom- 
inations together and gives them promise of a continuance of 
friendship in the land of the hereafter. 

The schools are treated very briefly in the history of the county. 
This is entirely due to their identification with the cities and town- 
ships, in which connection the reader will find that full informa- 
tion regarding them, which educational establishments so well 
deserve. Without the Church and school all would be darkness; 
ignorance would rule supreme, and man's ideal would return to 
that primitive condition from which the Church and school gradu- 
ally raised them. The great industrial establishments of the city 
and township hold a prominent place, while the pioneer and social 
history is given in a comparatively full form, which may insure 
its welcome. 

THE NAME. 

The origin of the name ''Saginaw " is so doubtful that many of 
the early settlers differ much in opinion regarding it, and more 
particularly in the application of the name to this portion of the 

(591) 



592 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

country. 0-3ag-e-nung, or the land of the Osagees, comprised the 
valleys of all the Northeastern rivers, but the name was generally- 
applied to that portion included within the boundaries of Saginaw 
county as laid off in 1822. 

The land now included in Saginaw township, as well as that on 
which Saginaw City is built, was called by the aborigines Pashaw- 
ning, or Pay-shue-e ning, and by some bands of the Otchipwes 
Tchig-aii-nin-bew-in, the former meaning the first camping-ground, 
" coming from the rivers above," and the latter " close by the 
camp." 

At the same time they called the land where East Saginaw 
now stands, Tik-wak-baw-hawning, or Hickory Place, and the 
district once known as Lower Saginaw, Nesh-ko-ta-yonnk, or 
coming in from the Bay. Tik-wak-baw-hawning was bounded 
on the north by Waig-hawning creek and the district was known 
to the Indians by that name for long years after the township of 
Buena Yista was organized. In the same manner the sons of the 
forest adhered to all the old names, such as Tittabawasaig, par- 
allel with the bay; Shiawasaig, flowing from the South; 
Matchisebing, bad stream; Pe-wan-ne-go-se-bing, Flint river; 
Notawasibing, Cass river, and Shawesh-kawning, South creek. 
That the site of the present city of Saginaw was the Ke-pay-sho- 
wink of the Osagees, cannot be questioned; but it must also be 
remembered that the Great Camp, or Kepayshowink, of these 
wandering bands did not hold the same position in summer as in 
winter, so that he who relies upon Indian legends simply, and 
without further inquiry, might associate the summer camp on the 
lake shore with the winter camp of the interior. Both were great 
camps; the first and principal one held the site of the present city; 
the second, or summer camp, was north of Nesh-ko-ta-younk; 
the former was the first camp reached in coining in from the North- 
west by the Tittabawasaig and the southern and southeastern 
rivers, the latter the first in coming down from the lake. In winter 
the Bay-shore camp was called Tchigaiinibewin by travelers as 
being "close by" the great camp, and in summer a reversal of 
terms was simply used to denote that the upper camp was the 
place "' close by." For years those terms were fully appreciated, 
and indeed continued in use until immediately prior to the war of 
1812, when the fur traders began to visit the district. Those men 
did not particularly attend to the varied nomenclature of their In- 
dian friends; it was unnecessary for them to do so in regard to 
places, as they made the center of the O-sag-e-nung district 
their headquarters and were well pleased to know it by that general 
name. Other traders arrived at the Indian camp, and all followed 
the example set by the first, until, in the course of a very few years, 
the term Osagenung was applied to that location on the banks 
of the Saginaw where the winter camp was built, and the name 
became so general among French and Indians that the first French 
missionaries, as well as the early American traders of Detroit, ven- 



SAGINAW TOWNSHIP 



59:\ 



turedj further to simplify it by naming the place Saginaw. 
Thenceforth it was destined to be the only memento of the decay- 
ing race, as well as the fountain head of the mineral, timber and 
agricultural wealth of the O-sag-e-nnng country. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP. 

The act organizing the township of the county of Saginaw took 
effect April 4, 1831, when, at a meeting of the few citizens then 
settled round the old treaty ground, held at the deserted military 
post, Gardner D. Williams was elected to represent the township 
on the County Board of Oakland; Ephraim S. Williams was elected 
Township Clerk; A. W. Bacon, Treasurer; David Stanard and G. 
1). Williams, Justices by appointment; David Stanard, Eleazer 
Jewett and Charles McLean, Overseers of the three districts, Sag- 
inaw, Green Point and Tittabawasaig. Eleazer Jewett was ap- 
pointed Deputy Surveyor of Oakland county the same year. This 
was the beginning of the end. That modest Township Board ad- 
ministered the civic affairs of a territory larger than many Euro- 
pean provinces, and accomplished its duties so well that within 
four years the Territorial Legislative Council organized the district 
as a county. The township officials from 1831 to 1881 are named 
in the following lists: 

SUPERVISORS. 



Gardner D. Williams 1831-3 

Wm.F. Mosley 1S34 

G. T). Williams ...1835 

E. N. Davenport 1836 

Jeremiah Riggs 1837-'41 

Hiram L. Miller 1842 

Gardner D. Williams 184:!-'4 

Charles S. Palmer 1845 

Albert Miller 1846 

Nelson Smith 1847-'8 

Dion Birney l849-'50 

Jabez G Sutherland 1851 

Franklin Millard 1853 

William H. Sweet 1*53 

Hiram L. Miller 1854 

Hiram S. Penoyer 1855 

< lardner I). Williams 1856 



Anthony R. Swarthout 1857 

Joseph Babcock. f 1858 

Weston G. Elmer 1859 

Thomas L. Jackson 1860- 

George Davenport (to fill va- 
cancy) 1864 

Robert Ure 1865 

John Fisher 7 1866- 

Robert Ure 1870 

John C. Spaeth 1871 

Edward O'Donnell 1872 

John Ure 1873 

John C. Spaeth 1874- 

Edward O'Donnell 1878- 

John C. Spaeth 1880 

Edward O' Donnell 1881 



CLERK8. 



Ephraim S. Williams ls31-'9 

William McDonald 1840-'l 

Horace 8. Beach 1842 

John P. ( . Rigga 1S43 

Eleazer Jewett 1844 

George Davie 1845 

R^yal W. .lenney 1^46 

Sherman Wheeler 1847 

Royal W. Jennev 1848 

James P. Ghamberlin 1849 



Peter Lane 1850 

( oe Garratt 1851-'2 

John A. Gibson 1853 

James X. Gotee 1854 

Harvey C.Weston 1855 

Jerome II. Gotee 1856 

Joseph Babcock 1857 

John M. Hiesredt 1858-'9 

A. R. Swarthout 1860-76 

Frank MaDion 1877-'8l 



594 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



TREASURERS. 



A. W. Bacon 1831 

Duncan McLellan l832-'8 

William McDonald 1839 

Charles T. Palmer 1840 

William McDonald 1841 

Eliel B-rbour 1842 

Elijah N. Davenport 1843-'7 

Shu-man Wheeler 1848-'9 

Thomas Simpson 1850 

Peter Lane 1851 

Joshua Blackmore 1852-'3 

Willard Packard 1854 



John A.Gibson 1855-'6 

Thomas L. Jacks n 1857-'9 

Edward Barks 1860-'3 

John Fisher 1864-'5 

Edward O' Donnell ■ . .1866-'8 

James McCarty 1869 

George Doualas 1870 

Edward O'Donnell 1871 

John Lindner 1872-'6 

George II. Smith 1877-'8 

Christian Hemmeter 1879-'80 

Christian Wartemburg 1881 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



David Stanard 1831- 

Gardner D. Williams 1831- 

Thomas Simpson 1832- 

William F. Mosley 1833- 

Andrew TJre 1834- 

Albert Miller 1834- 

Gaidner D. Williams 1834- 

Abram Whitney (to till vacancy)1836 

,1 eremiah Riggs 1837- 

Andrew Ure (to rill vacancy). .1837- 
Sidney S. Campbell (to fill va- 
cancy) 1838 

David Lyon 1839 

Noah Btach 1841 

Edmund B. Bow 1844- 

Eliel Barbour 1845- 

lliram L. Miller 1846- 

Jerome B. Garland 1847- 

CoeGarratt 1850 

Charles D. Little 1851- 

Michael C. T. Plessner 1853- 

Elleazer Jewett (to fill vacancyl853 

Dion Birney 1854- 

Augustus S. Gaylord 1855- 

Harvey C. Weston (to fill va- 
cancy) 1855 

Charles D. Little 1856- 

Christian Ulrick 1857- 

Weston G. Elmer 1858- 

Thomas C. Ripley 1858- 



William Seidel 1860-'l 

Charles C. Batchelor (to fill va- 
cancy) 1860- '2 

Frederick Gcessmann 1861-'5 

Phineas Williams 1861 

Edward O'Donnell 1862- 

Charles E. Batchelor 1863- 

E. E. Litchfield 1864 

James Vere 1865- 

Frederick Pistorious 1865- 

William M. Smith 1866- 

Weston G. Elmer 1867- 

Edward O'Donnell 1867- 

James McCarty 1868- 

John Lintner (to fill vacancy). .1868- 

Weston G. Elmer 1 869- 

Seth T. Hall (to fill vacancy). . .1869- 

James Anderson 1870- 

HiramBraley 1871- 

John Zimmerman 1871- 

James McCarty 1872 

John Fischer 1875- 

John Monnaghan 1876- 

William Shattuck 1878- 

John Lindner (to fill vacancy). .1878- 

Francis McKenna 1879- 

Angust Otto (to fill vacancy) . . . 1879- 

Lewis S. Wallace . . . .1881 

John Zimmerman (to fill va- 
cancy) 1881 



'4 
'6 

7 
'5 

9 

8 

'70 

'8 

'81 

'72 

'9 

'73 

'71 

'4 

'5 



'6 
'80 

'82 

'9 

'83 

'84 

'5 



THE PURCHASERS OF TOWNSHIP LANDS. 



The first entries of lands, lying in this county, were made in 
the U. S. Land Office, Sept. 19, 1822, by Charles Little, compris- 
ing a portion of section 13; by Jonathan Kearsley, comprising a 
quarter of section 31; by McCloskey and Farley, comprising a 
portion of section 25; and by Louis Campean, Sept. 30, compris- 
ing a portion of section 24. In 1823 Justin Smith entered lands 
on section 21. For some years the coming of the immigrants was 
slow indeed ; the stories of the garrison went abroad, and deterred 
many, who had actually set out from their Eastern homes with the 



SAGINAW CITY. 



595 



intent of settling here, from carrying out their purpose. However, 
the organization of the township and the assurances of men, who 
explored the wilderness, tended to attract attention once more to 
the Valley; the people flocked hither in large numbers, so that the 
district was organized as a county only a short time when every 
section of the laud now comprised in the township may be said to 
have been in possession of an occupying tenant or proprietor. The 
change which has taken place even since the last TJ. S. patent 
issued, granting the last acre of Government lands within the town- 
ship, viz., a portion of section six. to Louis Trombley, Oct. 19, 
L854, is remarkable; the change since the main portion of the land 
was purchased in 1836, extraordinary. In the latter year the peo- 
ple lived in the shade of the great pines; clearances were few and 
small; green fields were not to be seen, except where the meadow- 
marsh appeared — where the lakes of spring extended; houses were 
tew. and primitive in appearance; the people saw surrounding 
them a great and valuable forest, and were just beginning to util- 
ize it when the financial crisis cast its shadow of gloom over the 
land: two saw-mills were in operation, one of which contained a 
run of stone or corn-crackers, and both machinery for sawing lum- 
ber; Indians of a truly barbarous character were everywhere; 
nature was still uncultivated, save where the pioneers made their 
central village; everything was wild and rude. A few more years 
and the face of the country presented wide fields and happy home- 
steads; the central village grew important in the character of its 
buildings; the remembrancer of the forest — the trading-post— dis- 
appeared; the Indians died away, or were transferred to their 
reserves; everything assumed a look of importance, and men's minds 
were directed to great enterprises and high hopes. The lands hitherto 
purchased were being stripped of their heavy timber clothing-,. 
saw-mills sprung into existence, and thus was the farm cleared, and 
the river valley capped with industrial concerns. 

Many of the first land-buyers were ranked among the most in- 
dustrious and enterprising citizens; the greater number of them 
remained in the district where they settled, and taking an active 
part with the leaders of the commercial movement, shared with 
them in the honors of old settlership. In the following list the 
names of the patentees of all the lands in the township, sold by 
the general Government, are given, with the section and date of 
entry: 



Isaac Van Olinda, sec. 1, July 15, 1836. 
Daniel Johnson, sec. 2, Oct. 19, 1854. 
Joel B. Bennett, sec 2, Nov. 21, 1836. 

I'. Birdwell, sec 2, Oct. 11, 1854. 
Isaac Van Olinda. sec. 2. July 15, 1836. 
John Barton, Bee. 0. Nov. 10, 1836. 
Ralph Wright, sec. ::. Xov. 22, 1836. 
William Smith, sec. 3, Nov. 21, 1836. 
Francis Anderson, sec. 3, Jan. 16, 1837. 
Sila> Leighton,sec 3, Oct 13,1836. 
George W. Brace, sec. 3, Oct. 18, 1854. 
Alfred B. Lane, sec. 3, Sept. 1, 1854. 
36 



Francis Anderson, sec. 3, Sept. 1, 1854. 
Alexander Lee, sec. 4, March 23, 1837. 
Joseph Adams, sec. 4, July 15, 1836. 
Andrew Middleton, sec. 4, Sept. 15, 1837. 
Isaac Frost, sec. 4, Feb. 15, 1836. 
Eliaa H. Herrick, sec. 4, Feb. 15, 1836. 
Elias H. Herrick, sec. 5, Feb. 5, 1836. 
Zenas D. Bassett, sec. 5, June 24, 1836. 
Mathew Cobb, sec. 5. June 24, 1836. 
Joseph Adams, sec. 5, July 15, 1836. 
Ira Cuther, sec. 6, Oct. 18, 1854. 
T. M. Howell, sec. 6, Aug. 24, IPS' 



596 



HI6T0KY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Louis Tromblev, sec. 6, Oct. 19, 1854. 
Alex. H. Howell, sec. 6, Aug. 24,1836. 
Thomas M. Howell, sec. 7, Aug. 24, 1836. 
•€. L. Richmond, sec. 7, Aug. 24, 1836. 
Alex. H. Howell, sec. 7, Aug. 24, 1836. 
Charles H. Carroll, sec 7. Juue 22, 1836. 
William T. Carroll, sec 7, Juue 22, 1836. 
Charles H. Carroll, sec. 8. June 22, 1836. 
Wm. T. Carroll, sec. 8, June 22, 1836. 
George Marshall, sec. 8, June 6, 1836. 
G. D. Williams, sec. 8, Feb. 16, 1836. 
E S Williams, sec. 8, Feb. 16, 1836. 
Jesse Tuxbury, sec. 8, May 21,1836. 
Isaac Frost, sec. 9, Feb. 15, 1836. 
Henry Stringham, sec 9, Feb. 18, 1836. 
Harvey Williams, sec. 9, Feb. 16, 1836. 
Jacob *B. Herrick, sec. 10, Feb. 15, 1836. 
Allen Ayrault, sec. 11, Feb. 23, 1836. 
Norman Little, sec. 11, Feb. 23, 1836. 
Allen Ayrault, sec. 12, Feb. 23, 1836. 
Norman Little, sec. 12, Feb. 23, 1836. 
D H Fitzhugh, sec 12, June 13, 1835. 
Little Charles, sec. 13, Sept. 19, 1822. 
Justin Smith, sec. 13, May 19, 1824. 
Wm. H. Rhodes, sec. 13, Oct. 6, 1834. 

D. II. Fitzhugh, sec.13, June 13,1835. 

E. N. Davenport, sec. 13, June 25, 183 i. 

A R. Swarthout, sec. 14, Oct. 2, 1835. 

Peter A. Cowdrey, sec. 14, Oct. 23, 1835. 

T. H. Newbold, sec. 14, June 13, 1835. 

H. G. Hotchkiss, sec. 15, Jan. 4, 1836. 

L. B. Hotchkiss, sec 15, Jan. 4, 1836. 

Peter A. Cowdrey, sec. 15, Oct. 23, 1835. 

Edwin Rose, sec, 17, March 15, 1836. 

H. Stringham, sec. 17, March 15, 1836. 

C. H.Carroll, sec. 17, June 29,1836. 

Wm T. Carroll, sec. 17, June 29, 1836. 

Henry Stringham, sec. 17, March 4, 1836. 

Benj. McLellan, sec. 17, Dec 10, 1835. 

Peter A. Cowdrev, sec, 17, Oct. 23, 1835. 

A. L. Whitney, sec. 18, May, 17, 1824. 

T. Chappel, sec 18, May 17, 1824. 

Peter A. Cowdrey, sec. 18, Oct. 23, 1835. 

C. H. Carroll, sec. 18, June 22, 1836. 

William T. Carroll, sec 18, June 22,1836. 

Charles H. Rodd, sec. 18, Aug. 6, 1835. 

A. L. AVhitney, sec 19, May 17, 1S24. 

Turner Chappel, sec. 19, May 17, 1824. 

Duncan McLellan, sec. 19, Dec. 15, 1829. 

Grovener Vinton, sec. 19, Feb. 5, 1830. 

G.D. Williams, sec 19, Feb. 16, 1832. 

E. S. Williams, sec. 19,'Feb. 16, 1832. 

A. R. Swarthout, sec. 20, Oct. 2,1835. 

Duncan McLellan, sec. 20, Dec 10, 1835. 

Peter A Cowdrey, sec 20, Oct. 23, 1835. 

William Churchill, sec 20, Feb. 22, 1836. 

Peter A. Cowdrey, sec 21, Oct. 23, 1835. 

A. R. Swarthout, sec. 21, Oct. 2, 1835. 

G. Williams, sec. 21, Nov. 17, 1835. 

Benjamin Clapp, sec 21, Nov. 17, 1835. 



George Young, sec. 21, Jan. 15, 1836. 
Orisson Allen, sec. 21, Feb. 15, 1836. 
Albert S. Allen, sec. 21, Feb. 15, 1836. 
C H. Carroll, sec 22, June 13, 1835. 
D. II. Fitzhugh, sec. 22, June 13, 1835. 
McCloskey & Farley, sec 23, Sept. 21, 

1822. 
Justin Smith sec. 23, May 31, 1833. 

C. H. Carroll, sec 23, June 13, 1835. 

D. H. Fitzhugh, sec. 23, June 13, 1835. 
Little Charley, sec 24, Sept. 19, 1822. 
McCloskey & Farley, sec. 24, Sept 19, 

1822. 
Lewis Campeau, jr., sec. 24, Sept. 30, 

1822. 
Justin Smith, sec, 24, May 31, 1823. 
McCloskev & Farley, sec. 25, Sept. 19, 

1822. 
Little Charley, sec 25, Sept. 21, 1822. 
S. W. Dexter, sec. 26, June 18, 1825. 
James Abbott, sec. 26, June. 18, 1825. 
D. II. Fitzhugh, sec. 27, June 13,1835. 
James Frazer, sec 27, Sept. 26, 1833. 
Anthony H. Carter, sec, 27, Oct, 3. 1833. 
Edward A. Leroy,sec 27, June 13, 1835. 
Edwin Herrick, sec. 28. July 11, 1835. 
Allen Ayrault, sec. 29, Feb. 23, 1826. 
Norman Little, sec 29, Feb. 23, 1826. 
Peter A. Cowdrey, sec. 29, Oct. 23, 1835. 
Trumbull Cary, sec. 29, Oct. 21, 1835. 
Turner Chappel, sec. 30, May 17, 1824. 

Hermann Ladd, sec 30, May 17, 1824. 
Jon. K>arsley, sec. 31. Sept. 19, 1822. 

Henry C. West, sec 31, April 6, 1830. 

James Frazer, sec. 31, Dec. 9, 1833. 
" " " Sept 21, and 

" " " Oct. 15, 1835. and 

" Oct. 12, 1836. 

Norman Little, sec. 31, Aug. 25, 1836. 

Turner Chappel, sec. 32, May 17, 1824. 

Charles Little, sec. 32, May*I7, 1824. 

Ladd & Little, sec. 32, June 18, 1825. 

Little Charley, sec. 32, Sept, 19, 1822. 

Turner Chappel, sec. 33, May 17, 1824. 

Charles Little, sec. 33, May 17, 1824. 

Hermann Ladd, sec. 33, Mav 17, 1824. 

Charles Little sec. 34, May 17, 1824. 

Hermann Ladd, sec. 34, May 17, 1824. 

Ladd & Little, sec. 34, June 18, 1825. 

G.D. Williams, sec. 34, June 9, 1835. 

E. S. Williams, sec 34, June 9, 1835. 

D. H. Fitzhugh, sec 34. June 13, 1835. 

Little Charley, sec. 35, Sept. 19, 1822. 

Fales <fc Heville, sec. 35, Jan. 6, 1823. 

Little Charley, sec. 35, Jan. 6, 1823. 

Elon Farnsworth, sec 36, June 8, 1835. 

Carolus A. Stebbins, sec. 36, Oct. 8, 1833. 

S. H. Henick, sec. 36, June 11, 1835. 

C. A. Stebbins, sec. 36, Feb. 25, 1835. 



SAGINAW CITY. 



Owing to the part played by the village of Saginaw in the 
history of the township of the county of Saginaw, that extended 



SAGINAW CITY. 597 

QOtice which it deserves is given to it in the pages of the county 
history ; yet, in treating it as 'a portion of the county, many brief 
but important events, connected especially withitas a village, 
and in later days a> a city, have been passed over, so that they 
would appear precisely wnere they pertain. As the village was 
the principal fastness of the Indians oi the Yalley, even as it is now 
the political center of the county, it is not too much to state that it 
formed one of the first points to attract the attention of the French 
missionaries and subsequently of the trappers, hunters and traders 
of Frontenac and Detroit. To pass over the era of the French pio- 
neers, then, would not be just, because they came here when the 
untamed savage nature of the inhabitants and all the difficulties 
attendant on travel in those days placed obstacles in their way, 
which c<»uhl only be overcome by them; and to them is due, in a 
greal measure, the comparative ease with which the treaties were 
negotiated and their articles enforced. 

EARLY VISITORS. 

It is impossible to fix the date when the Jesuit missionaries 
left their rude monastery, by the shore of Lake Iroquois, for a 
\ isit to the Otchipwes of O-sag-e-nung, or the Saginaw. That Revs. 
Breboeuf and Daniel rested among the savages of the Saginaw 
between the years 1634 and 1638, there is every reason to believe; 
for, in the annals of " The Company of One Hundred Associates," 
1637, there is mention made of a visit of the Jesuit fathers to 
the Indian towns beyond Lake Huron, and of a resolution to estab- 
lish a French settlement there. About 28 years later, in 1665, 
the Jesuit fathers Allouez and Duvall, or Dablon, established 
a temporary mission at the river camp of the Otchipwes, known 
as Wakaiuan-pijigwabe-the house of the wifeless. In 1668 the 
great Marquette, accompanied by M. Dablon, came among the 
Saginaw Indians, and after a brief stay went to St. Mary's Falls, 
where lie established a mission, previous to that exploratory trip 
which resulted in the discovery of the "Father of Waters. " Three 
years later the Chippewa bands went north to the Sault to attend 
the great council of the Indians held there that year. Indian 
legends speak of the Wemitigoji, or Frenchmen, coming in the 
great ship a few years after the council of the Sault, and of four 
men coming on foot from the west, who were in the ship, when it 
first appeared to them above the mouth of the river. Such legends 
point directly to Robert Cavalier de la Salle. From that period to 
L795, when a Frenchman named Tromble visited the Yalley, there 
are few Legendary or written accounts of the white visitors. It is, 
however, to be supposed that French missionaries and French 
traders called regularly on the Chippewas of the Valley and con- 
tinued so to do until treat)- times, when the American began to 
take up the land of the Indian, and the merchant to supersede 
the trader. Subsequently the German and American missionaries 



598 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

established their varied forms of worship, and the era of Ameri- 
can settlement was begun. 

PLATTING THE TOWN OF SAGINAW. 

James McCloskey, son-in-law of Gabriel Godfroy, of Godfroy's 
on the Pottawatomie Trail, nowYpsilanti, and his associate, Cap- 
tain John Farley, entered a portion of the land, on which the city 
now stands in September, 1822. Farley had the tract surveyed by 
John Mnllett, who platted a portion of it under the name of the 
" Town of Sagana." 

This town on paper comprised 20 blocks with the river lots on 
Water street, the entire town extending over the east half of the 
southeast quarter of section 23, and the south half of the 
southwest fractional quarter of section 24, stretching back four 
blocks from the river, with its southeastern corner resting near the 
foot of what is now known as Clinton street. Lot No. 77 of this 
plat was sold May 8, 1823, for $25. 

Captain John Farley, late of the United States Ordnance De- 
partment, and inheritor of his father's property at Saginaw, made 
the subscribed entry in his journal regarding this first plat: 

" The following is an epitome of the early history of Saginaw 
City proper since its first purchase in 1821 or 1822. 

"In 1821 the Government decided to establish a military post on 
Saginaw Bay to protect the settlers, and reassure the treaties which 
had been made with the Indians in their sales of that portion of 
their territory. This military post was located on the ground known 
now as Saginaw City, on the west side of Saginaw river. 

"Knowing that towns generally spring up in the immediate vicin- 
ity of such posts, Capt. Farley and James Mc Closkey, Esq., con- 
ceived the idea of laying out a plan of one on the only available 
land in the vicinity, to which they gave the name of ' Sagina. ' 
Accordingly they purchased the adjoining tract in section No. 24, 
of 136 acres, and employed the State Surveyor, John Mullet, to 
make the town plat, which was duly recorded in the county 
records at Flint. 

" James Mc Closkey sold his undivided half interest to A. G. 
Whitney, of Detroit, who afterward sold the same to Dr. Charles 
Little, of East Avon, N. Y. Little sold one half of his interest to 
Herman Ladd, of the same place, and soon bought it back. The 
only sales made in the original town by Farley & Co. were lots 
Nos. 77, 78 and 139, and lots 81, 83 and 85, as shown upon the town 
plat of 1822, among my papers. 

tk The troops were removed from the station in 1823 or 1824, the 
place languished for some time, and the military reservation was 
sold to Mr. Dexter. The spirit of speculation in Western lands 
revived in 1836, and Mr. Norman Little (the son) went to Sag- 
inaw to settle, and succeeded in interesting a large New York 
firm ( Macklin, Oakley & Jennison) in making a purchase from 
Dexter, for $50,000. 



8 \(.I VWV CITY. 599 

"On this tract they laid out a more extended plan for the city, 
which was made the county seat, and several public buildings 
were erected. 

••( )n account of the want of roads and other communications, the 
towns on the Saginaw were for years comparatively shut in, and 
their progress was alow; but since the discoveries in salt and other 
mineral products, and the advent of railroads, which have devel- 
oped the immense lumber resources of that region, the population 
of the valley has largely increased, and its rise and progress has 
recently been marvelous. " The title to a portion of this property 
was questioned; but a decision, favorable to the original proprie- 
tor, was rendered by the court in 1866. Judges Sutherland and 
Fenton represented the owner. The property, now in possession 
of Mr-. John Farley, comprises two blocks on the east side of 
Washington street, between Miller and Farley streets, together 
with a Large and valuable tract extending ( from Washington street 
to the river front, south of the Campeau grounds. Mrs. Farley, 
who resides at Washington, visits Saginaw at intervals, is conver- 
sant with the history of the two ciries, and favorably known to the 
old settlers of the Valley. 

THE DEXTER ADDITION. 

The second platting was effected Dec. 3, 1830, for Samuel W. 
J >exter, ofWashtenaw county. It comprised all that land on which 
Saginaw City now stands, extending from the river front west on 
Cass to Harrison street, north on Harrison to Jefferson, east on 
Jefferson to the river, and south to the post at the place of begin- 
ning. Of the lots represented on this plat, only eight were sold 
that year. 

Dexter sold his interest in the land which he entered in 1825, 
comprising the N. E. fr. J of the X. W. fr. ^, and the south part of 
the S.W. fr. i of section 26, town 12, 4E., to Dr. Abel Millington, 
of Washtenaw. This sale transferred to Millington the city ot 
Saginaw, with the exception of 24 lots already disposed of by 
Samuel Dexter, and of the public square, located as the seat of 
justice in 1831. The transfer of the property was made July 18, 
L835. 

Dr. Millington was not content to hold this property very long. 
IF- ln-gan to lose faith in the prospects of the Valley,' and so was 
anxious to dispose of his newly acquired real estate/ He had not 
long to wait. Early in April, L836, terms of sale were agreed on, 
and on the 26th of that month he transferred all his interests in 
the city of Saginaw, to a company composed of Norman Little, 
John T. Mackev. Samuel Oakley and William Jennison, jr., for 
the >um of |55JW0. Dr. Millington paid only $10,000 in the first 
instance for this property. 

THE 0TFRRIEB PLAT 

was made Feb. 1. 1837, under direction of the new proprietors. 
This showed 4(>7 blocks, and referred to lands on the east as well 



60 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

as on the west bank of the river. Streets were laid off and 
named; a map of the city was printed for circulation throughout 
the Union, with the result of congregating 900 persons upon the 
site of this city before the close of the year 1837. Then the Crisis 
came; a cloud of adversity lowered upon the State, and the young 
city with its population almost disappeared before the close of the 
year 1838. For the two succeeding years there was little prospect 
of the proprietors attaining their hopes; the series of misfortunes 
which followed close upon the panic destroyed their enthusiasm; 
yet they were fully aware of all the wealth of woods and minerals 
which their land contained, and possessed at least the determin- 
ation to hold them until others would come forward to aid them in 
building up the city. In 1811 the report of the company stated 
that there were only 58 lots and three entire blocks sold out of the 
whole number of 107 blocks appearing on the plat. With the 
exception of this very small portion of their large domain, all 
their property was deeded to James Hunt, April 9, 1811, for a 
consideration of $220,000. 

The additions to the city made subsequently comprise those of 
P. C. Andre, Alex. Andre, Binder & SeyfFardt, C. T. Brenner, 
I. Blackmore, Briggs, Geo. W. Bell, Barnard & Newell, Joseph 
Campean, Theo. J. Campeau, Cloeters, Clarke, Davenport, C. L. 
Eberhardt, Fred Ganschow, Gardunk, Grout & Hay, Wheeler, P. 
O. Johnson, Chris Kuhl. D. B. Ketcham, Little & Moore, John 
G. Liskow,H. L. Miller, John Moore, H. S. Mann, Otto H. C.Moore, 
Annie F. McEwan, Panlns Neurminger, Penoyer, Parsons R. Gay- 
lord, Isaac Parsons, M. C. T. Plessner, Aaron A. Parsons, A. Rust, 
Robesons, (S. D. of H. Miller's), Lutton, Babcock, Harrington & 
Briggs, Smith & Parsons. Smith & Hadens, Stark & Hitchcock, 
Win. SeyfFardts, Win, Storch, Jr., Geo. Schmidt, Schemm & 
Schoenheit, Hugo Wisener, Mary Williams, Edward Zagelmeyer, 
Louis Zagelmeyer. Many of these tracts form extensive and valu- 
able additions to the city. A few of them are limited in extent, but 
all contributed to extend its limits, and prepare it as the home of a 
large and prosperous population. 

ORGANIC. 

The city of Saginaw was incorporated under legislative authority 
Feb. 17, 1857, and an election of municipal officers ordered to be 
held. The charter recognized two wards, each allowed to elect 
two representatives in council, as well as take part in the election 
of county and city officers. The first election resulted in the choice 
of Gardner D. Williams, Mayor; Col. Garrett, Recorder; E. R. 
Shemmons, Treasurer; E. C. Newell. City Attorney; A. S. Gay- 
lord, Supervisor; John A. Gibson, Marshal; George W. Bullock, 
David Hughes, John Moore and Jay Smith, Aldermen. 

In 1859 the population grew so rapidly that the city was erected 
into three wards. In 1867 one ward more was added, and in 1869 
two, giving to the city a council of 12, with the regular civic 



SAGINAW CITY. 



601 



officers. The rate of such advancement within the 12 years 
ending in 1869, will be apparent from the fact that in 1857 the 
population of the city proper was only 536; three years later it 
was reported at 1,712; nine years later, in 1866, at 6,420; and in 
L869, 6,980. Mayor Williams was re-elected in 1858. He died 
during his term of office, when Hiram L.Miller was appointed 
Mayor, until the annual election. The names of the city officers 
elected from 1857-to the present time are given in the following 

MAYORS. 



Gardner D. Williams 1851 

Hiram L. .Miller 1858 '9 

George W Bullock IS 

JohnMoore 1861-'3 

Peter C. Andre 1864 

Stewart B. Williams 1865 

William M. Miller 1866 

Alfred F. R. Brady l867-'9 



William II. Sweet 1870 

George F. Williams 187l-'2 

B( atoo Hanchett 1873-'4 

Fred H. Potter 1875-'6 

George P. Lewis 1877-'8 

Lyman W. Bliss... . 1879-'80 

Arthur Hill 1881 



RE( ORDERS. 



rrett 1857 

Newton I). Lee 1858 

Hiram L. Miller 1859-'60 

Daniel L. C. Eaton 1861-'2 

Alfred F. R. Brady 1863'6 



Robert McQueen 1867-'8 

John B. Schick. 1869-'74 

John J. Swarthout 1875-'9 

C. E. Brenner (to fill vacancy).. 1880 
Byron G. Stark 1881 



CONTROLLERS. 



Edwin Saunders 1868 72 

( harles I). Little 



Frederick L. Eaton 1873-'8 

Dewitt C. Dixson 1879-'84 



TREASURERS. 



Edward R. Sbemmons 1857-'8 

Charles Miller 1859'ttl 

• II. Gotee 1865-'3 

Augustus ( '. Ganschow 1804 

Richard Kuhen 1865 

Edwin Saunders 1866 



Peter Lane 1807 

Kmil Schuermann 1868-'9 

Racine Purmort 187<'-'7 

Kmil Schoenberg 1878-'80 

Fred W. llollister 1881 



marshals. 



John A. Gibson 1857 

F. rizarro Woodruff 1858 

Bernhard Rice 1859'60 



Edward P. Shemmons 186! 

Thomas S. Kennedy 1863 



ALDERMEN. 



1857 

-<• W. Bullock.. 

David Hughefi 

John Moore 

3mitb 



1858. 

1 st Ward Newell Barnard 

" (to fill vacancy) Myron Butman 
2d " David Hughes 



602 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



1859. 

1st Ward William H. Sweet 

2d " William Binder 

" " (to fill vac'cy) Amasa Bust, jr., 
3d " David H. Jerome 

1860. 

1st Ward Lewis Webster 

2d " Peter C. Andre 

3d " Abel A. Brockway 

1861. 

1st Ward Augustus S. Gaylord 

2d " John B. White 

3d " George F. Williams 

1862. 

1st Ward Coe Garrett 

2d " Richard Kuhen 

3d " William H. Taylor 

1863. 

1st Ward Peter Lane 

2d " . Valorous A. Paine 

3d " George F. Williams 

1864. 

1st Ward John W. Richardson 

2d " Emil bhemmons 

3d " Charles Wider 

1865. 

1st Ward James G. Terry 

2d " Ezra Rust 

3d " George F. Williams 

1866. 

1st Ward Ammi W. Wright 

2d " Richard Kuhen 

3d " George R. Stark 

1867. 

1st Ward Daniel B. Ketchum 

2d " Gardner K. Grout 

3d " Abel A. Brock way 

4th " Michael C. T. Plessner 

" " James R. Cook 

1868. 

1st Ward Joseph T. Burnham 

2d " Charles T. Brenner 

2d " (to fill vac'cy) Newton D Lee 

3d " George R. Stark 

4th " Stewart B. Williams 

1869. 

1st Ward George Davenport 

2d '• Thomas L. Jackson 

3d " Racine Purmort 

4th " Henry A. Newton 

5th " George Streebe 

il " Edward Moye 

6th " James F. Adams 

• ' " Thomas Shemmons 

1870. 

1st Ward Eleazer J. Ring 

2d " Jay Smith 



3d " John Diebel 

4th " Stewart B. Williams 

5th " David Andrews 

6th " Roman Hang 

1871. 

1st Ward Arthur D Smith 

2d " Lyman W. Bliss 

3d " Thomas L. Jackson 

4th " James E. Saunders 

5th " William H. Smith 

6th " James F .Adams 

1872. 

1st Ward Joshua Tuthill 

2d " William W. Knight 

3d " William Reins 

" " (to fill vacancy) Charles Wider 

4th " James Kelley 

5th " John Friedlein 

0th " Charles W. L. Jost 

1873. 

1st Ward George Davenport 

2d " Benjamin B. Bartlett 

3a " Francis M. Allen 

4th ' ' James E. Brady 

" " (to fill vacancy) Ben j. Forbes 

5th " W illiam H. Smith 

6th " John C. Ziegler 

1874. 

1st Ward Augustus S Gaylord 

2d " Joshua Blackmore 

3d " George F. Williams 

4th " Benjamin Forbes 

oth " John Gensbauer 

6th " William G. Ferguson 

1875. 

1st Ward George Davenport 

2d " A B. Paine 

" " (to fill vac.) Alexander Andre 

3d " William Reins 

4th " James E.Brady 

" " (to fill vacancy) Nicholas Rice 

5th " Jerome B. Allen 

6th " James F. Adams 

1876. 

1st Ward Aaron T. Bliss 

2d " James Jerome 

3d " Charles Wider 

4th " James McGregor 

5th " John Graensbauer 

" " (to fill vacancy) Joseph Cook 

6th " Alexander B. Kelley 

1877. 

1st Ward Bradley M. Hosmer 

2d 
3d 
4th 
5th 
6th 



.Fred W. Hoi lister 
.. . .Jacob Knapp 
. . Norvil Cameron 
. . David Crowley 
.Joseph E. Adams 



SAGINAW CITY. 



603 



1878. 

IS) Ward Aaron T. Bliss 

3d " Austin Ancliutz 

3d '• George F. Williams 

4th •■ Gilbert Gaum 

:>ili •• "William J. Kerwin 

8th '• Alexander B. Kelley 

L879. 

1st Ward lames W. Perrin 

2d " Jay Smith 

to till vacancy) A. 15. Paine 

3d " Jacob Knapp 

4tli " Frederick Nehmer 

5th " David Crowley 

(>th " Ferdinand Kaiser 



1880. 

1st Ward Angus Mclntyre 

3d " Philip Ophergeld 

3d " Benjamin N. Montross 

4th " George Rathbun 

5th " John W. Brown 

6th " Enos T. Troop 

1881. 

1st Ward James W. Perrin 

2d " John II. Benjamin 

3d " Henry F. Allen 

4th " Thomas Doyle 

5th " Charles J. Ewald 

(jth " John W Brown 



THE FIBST SETTLERS. 

The chapter devoted to the pioneers of this Valley in the history 
proper of the county deals generally with the men and events of 
pioneer days. Therein are given brief sketches of Eleazer Jewett, 
Win. McDonald. Gardner D. Williams, Abram Butts, James 
Busby, E. N. Davenport, .1. B. Cushaway and others. Their 
settlement may be said t<> have been made in the heart of the 
Indian country. The Otchipwes, numbering over 3,500 souls at 
that lime, surrounded them, and oftentimes made such encroach- 
ments upon their privileges as to render life in the locality dis- 
agreeable, if not actually uncertain. There were no roads then: 
intercourse with the outer world was a subject seldom thought of, 
as a journey to Pontiac or Detroit necessitated many hardships, 
exposed the traveler to many dangers, and required days of severe 
marching to perform. To all these trials the first American pio- 
neers were not at all anxious to submit themselves. They devoted 
all their energies to conciliate their red neighbors, and when 
conciliation tailed they would resort to the exercise of physical 
power by enforcing the argumentum ftacuMmtm. The latter system, 
or •• Club Law." was tried by Messrs. Jewett and Williams with 
great sureess, as is evidenced in the descriptions given in the 
comity history; but as a rule the policy of conciliation was 
effectual, as the Endianscould appreciate justice, and esteem all 
who lo\ ed it. 

At this period Eleazer Jewett lived at Green Point, close by the 
town of Saginaw, as platted by Farley and McCloskey. Louis 
Campean dwelt in the great block house on the west side of Water 
Btreet, near the mills of Wright & Co. This was constructed of 
hewn timber, with a roof of the same material, built for strength 
and durability. It was all the work of the Frenchman, and stood 
the monument of his enterprise until 1862, whenfire swept it away. 

.lack Smith, the English half-breed, erected a hut below Mr. 
Oampeau'a trading post. This was constructed of poles arranged 
as in a palisade, with bark under roof, covered with a thatch of 
salt-marsh grass. Here the improvident half-breed trafficked 
with his Indian friends until 1832, when he left his rude dwelling 
to take care of itself. The very lot on which Smith erected that 
hut has been often brought under notice since the time of his resi- 



6(»4 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



dence here. What became of the original owner or of his chil- 
dren could not be learned, and this being so, tended to render 
the acquisition of the property a most uncertain transaction. 

The barrack or stockade was used as a school-house, and within 
its rude walls Judge Albert Miller taught the first school. The 
stockade extended to the site of the Taylor House. 

During the year 1832 the idea of becoming owners and culti- 
vators of the soil possessed many of the old settlers of Saginaw 
City and took practical shape. During that year A. W. Bacon, 
Charles Mc Lean, Henry Me Lean, John Brown, Andrew Ure, Har- 
vey AVilliams, John Mc Gregor, Douglas Thompson, Stephen Ben- 
son, Wm. J. Henderson and John Todd located lands along the 
Tittabawassee, and subsequently brought their families thither to 
reside. 

The same year Eleazer Jewett, G. D. AVilliams, E. S. Will- 
iams, Abram Butts, Thomas McCarthy, James Busby, James 
Frazer, David Stanard, Aug. Bertrand, Sylvester Vibber, Dougal 
McKenzie, Edward Brown, Thomas Simpson, Seymour Ensign 
and Duncan Mc Lellan located at Saginaw City, some of them 
with the intention of becoming permanent settlers, others with 
that of making it a home for a few years. E. N. Davenport 
arrived in 1832 and made Saginaw City his home. 

Murdock Frazer arrived in 1833 at the village. At that time he 
set forth on horseback to explore the Saginaw with a view of locat- 
ing some lands. He actually crossed Pine Run creek, when he 
realized the fact that he was lost in the great wilderness. For 70 
hours he traversed the forest, hungry, fatigued and anxious. He 
lost his horse. Packs of gaunt wolves threatened him; yet he 
pushed forward to the Cass river, where he was fortunate enough 
to reach the primitive dwelling of Citizen Kent. After thawing 
out, he repaired his torn clothes and proceeded to Saginaw. Two 
years later he located lands along the Tittabawassee, and became 
a permanent settler. Toward the close of the year 1836 the fol- 
lowing named persons possessed homes in Saginaw City or in its 
immediate neighborhood: 



Antoine Campeau, 
Charles Mc Lean, 
Jack Smith, 
Wm. J. Henderson, 
Eleazer Jewett, 
David Stanard, 
Gardner D. Williams, 
Augustas Bertrand, 
Stephen Benson, 
A. W. Bacon, 
John Todd, 
Abram Gotee. 
Duncan McLellan, 
John Brown, 
Sylvester Vihber, 
James Frazer, 
Thomas Simpson, 
Dougal Mc Kenzie, 
Douglas Thompson, 
Seymour Ensign, 
Abram Whitney, 
Edward Brown. 
J ames Busby, 



Albert Miller, 
Hiram L. Miller, 
Rufus W. Stevens, 
Nathaniel Foster, 
John Kengan, 
Humphrey McLean, 
Abram Butts, 
Grovenor Vinton, 
Harvey Rumville, 
Nelson Smith, 
Charles L. Richman, 
Daniel Kengan, 
Charles Lull, 
Phineas Spauldimr, 
Geo. Blythe, 
Riley Mott, 
H. N. Howard, 
John Lacy, 
Peter Guillott, 
Wm. F. Mosely, 
Harvey Williams, 
Eleazer Mason, 
Ponton, 



Jenks, 



Benj. Pearson, 
Roderick Vaughan, 
John Farquaharson, 
James Abbott, 
C. W. Whipple, 
Alex. D. Frazer, 
Murdock Frazer, 
Ira French, 
Geo. W. Bullock, 
Geo Davis, 

Rock wood, 

James Kenny, 
David E. ( orbin, 
Jeremy T. Miller, 
John f ibbets, 
Theophilus Clarke, 

Merritt, 

Norman Little, 
John P. Hosmer, 
Curtis Emerson. 



SAGINAW CITY. 605 

•Tin* Red Warehouse" was erected in 1856. The Webster House 
and two warehouses were built in 1837. E. W. Perry had the 
contract for " getting out " the lumber to be used in the first- 
named structure. The " Williams saw-mill " then stood where the 
salt blocks of the Williams Bros, are now situated, and all formed 
what was known as the town of Saginaw. This nucleus of a city 

barelv formed, when the wave of depression moved westward, 
shattering the hopes of the new town-builders, and reducing the 
aspirations of the enterprise to a dream. The settlement was 
agitated to its very depths; many determined to leave the district; 

■ utent dwelt in every mind. 
The small-pox entered the Indian villages about this time, and 
added largely to increase the prevailing dread of some impending dis- 
aster. Providence, however, ruled that the pioneers might suffer 
alone from financial reverses, while the Indians would be carried 
away in thousands by the dreadful disease. Of the entire number 
of the doomed race then dwelling in the neighborhood of the 

eat Camp," over 2.000 perished, the remainder fled to the 
wilderness to seek a hiding place, where the Great Spirit could not 
tind them, or pursue them with his vengeance. Even the wild 
woods did not shelter the poor savages from the terrible scourge; 
throughout the forest, river and stream the echoes' of their dismal 
shrieks rang out for a short while, and then died away with death. 
Happy Indians! They survived not to witness the sacred circles 
of their fathers, the burial places of their race, upturned by the 
plow, or covered with the homes and factories of civilized man; 
they were spared at least this last and most terrible affliction. 

The financial crisis ended, confidence began to reign, and the 
inhabitants assumed their wonted occupations. A brief period was 
afforded to realize all the dangers which had surrounded them and 
were now dispersed — to make a survey of the wreck, caused by 
financial depression on the one side, anchby famine and disease on 
the other. They saw the bones of the savages lying scattered over 
their garden plots, along the river bank; and seeing, regretted their 
oft-repeated wish that the " Indian would die." The new solitude 
was real; the red men. who varied the monotony of life in the 
wilderness, were gone, and the few who remained were so stricken 
with the calamity which befel their tribe, that moroseness was added 
to their natural stoicism, rendering them objects to be at once 
pitied and feared. 

A short time, and the importance of the Valley reasserted itself. 
In ls-ll a few settlers arrived: the darkest hour in the history of 
the Valley was past, and business was resumed. In 1845 immi- 
grants poured in from every quarter, bringing with them a wealth 
of strength and health; nor did the capitalist remain far behind. 
In 184s labor and capital formed a partnership and together began 
the work of building up the old town of Saginaw, as well as of es- 
tablishing a new city. 



606 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

In 1837 was built the first public building in the Saginaw Valley. 
It stood in the rear of the present court-house and served as the 
place of worship of the Presbyterian Church until the erection of 
the present house of worship in 1852. It was built for the purposes 
of a school and court-house, but on the erection of the present court- 
house, the structure was moved to the spot where the county jail 
now stands. Subjected to another journey, the old building was 
converted into a dwelling-house. 

The first school district was organized April 18, 1S3T. It com- 
prised the territory now known as the townships of Saginaw, Buena 
Vista, Carrollton, Zilwaukee, Spalding, Frankenlust, a part of 
Swan Creek, Portsmouth, Kochville and Bridgeport, with one 
school-house, situated on the public square, near the site of the 
present county court-house. The first shade-trees were planted on 
the business portion of Court street, by Mr. Fisk, sr., an old and 
respected settler. The trees opposite the Taylor House alone re- 
main. Two trees, planted on Washington street by Mrs. Dr. Lee, 
then a little girl of only seven summers, still flourish, apparently 
in the spring-time of their growth. 

The first journal started in 1836 by John P. Hosiner, subse- 
quently edited by Hiram L. Miller, fell to the ground before the 
business revival of 1841. It was succeeded by R. W. Jenny's 
paper, known as The North Star, in 1842. Even then the people 
were not prepared to support a journal, as the suspension of the 
Star became a necessity after an irregular publication. The Spirit 
of the Times, edited by L. L. G. Jones, was the herald of the true 
revival of industry and may be considered the first newspaper 
which met with sufficient support to justify publication. 

From 1845 to 1850 a steady progress was made: the old settle- 
ment extended, and still men looked forw r ard to the wild tract on 
the east side of the river for a further extension. In 1840 the busi- 
ness of Saginaw w r as represented, by 11 dealers in dry-goods, 
groceries, etc. ; one steam saw-mill, three hotels, five carpenteries, 
three blacksmith shops, one bakery, three boot and shoe stores. 
Four years later the Union school building, the German Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran Church (1851), Methodist Episcopal (1854), First 
Presbyterian (1852), St. John's Episcopal (1853), St. Andrew's 
Catholic (1853), w r ere erected, and with the county court-house, 
formed a little city in themselves. 

From 1857 to I860 great advances were made, the old citizens 
entered upon the work of erecting new dwelling-houses, improving 
the streets, building factories and stores, hotels, schools, and even 
more churches. The whistles of steamboats and saw-mills, the 
rush of busy mechanics, workmen, and employers, and. the appear- 
ance of the people in general told that the era of prosperity had 
arrived. The manufacture of salt was an established tact in 1860, 
and henceforth the star of Saginaw was in the ascendant. Within 
the three years from 1857 to 1860 the population advanced from 
536 to 1,712. In 1866 it reached 5,426; in 1870, 7,460; in 1876, 
9,890; in 1880, 10,526, and in June, 1881, the resident and floating 



SAGINAW ( 1TV. 607 

population was estimated at about 12,000. Judging from these 
statistics, the era of great advancement was between the inaugura- 
tion of the salt manufacture and 1866; but, in reality, that marked 
progress which characterizes the city depends not now on such 
statistics; as railroads, improved machinery, and new methods of 
manufacturing lumber and salt reduce manual labor to something 
nominal. The increasing number and capacity of the lumber mills 
and >alt factories, and the opening up of the country in the vicinity 
of the city, must be taken as the basis of progress. However ex- 
tensive may be the utilization of labor-saving machinery, its pro- 
ducing power will always tend to insure an increase of wealth, as 
well as an addition to the population; for wherever a great indus- 
trial center is found, there also is the steam-engine and all that, 
machinery which the genius of modern mechanics has introduced. 

SAGINAW IN 1857. 

During the years succeeding the "wild-cat* 1 times the city of 
the Valley made comparatively little progress. The first panic 
reduced its population of 900 to about 450; but even with this small 
number of inhabitants holding on to the ship, which so many 
deserted, the settlers were confident of ultimate success. Inl848-'9 
they beheld the return of the immigration tide; during those years 
a few men came here to make a permanent settlement, their exam- 
ple was followed, until in 1857 the population was increased to 536. 
The city was incorporated that year, while yet its commercial 
and professional interests were represented by only 65 offices, 
stores and shops, with four churches, two society rooms, the 
Union and tw T o select schools, the court-house and old-time county 
jail. The streets were laid off, shade-trees planted and many 
dwelling-houses constructed. Looking over a list of the profes- 
sional and business men of the period, one must be reminded of 
the many changes which later years have effected. Among the 
lawyers of that time were Sutherland, Benedict. W. EL Sweet and 

E. C. Newell, with offices on Water street; Mcore, Gaylord and 
Hiram S. Penover had their offices in the court-house; and C. D. 
Little, at the corner of Washington and Madison streets. 

Doctors J. B. White, D. F. Mitchell, M. C. T. Plessner, Dion 
Birnev and Dr. J. Smith located their offices on Water street; X. 
D. Lee on Jefferson, and S. Franke at the corner of Franklin and 
Hamilton. A. (). T. Eaton Brothers carried on the drug business 
in a store at the corner of Court and Water streets. 

The hotels comprised the Webster House, with Lester Cross pro- 
prietor, located at the corner of Washington and Jefferson; the 
Saginaw City Exchange, on Ames and Water streets, operated by 
Horace Douglass; the Shakspeare Hotel, kept by C. T. Brenner, 
at the corner of Adams and Hamilton; the iEtna House, by Geo. 
W. Beeman, on the corner of Van Buren and Water streets; the 
Stage House, at the corner of Throop and Water streets, and C. 

F. Esche's ki Sylvan Retreat." on Court street. 



608 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Michael Dougherty's shipyard was situated on Water street; A. 
H. Paine's livery stable, at the corner of Cass and Water; C. 
Wyder's tannery, at the corner of Stevens and Water; John W. 
Richardson's harness store, the steam spoke factory and A. Fisher's 
cabinet and chair factory, on Water street. 

The dry-goods houses at that time comprised D. II. Jerome & 
Co., Jerome block, Water street; G. W. Bullock, G. T. Zochoerner, 
Woodruff block; Ferdinand Flatan and P. C. Andre, on the dock, 
Water street. 

The grocery and provision trade was represented by J. Dowling, 
A. Andre, M. Butman, Geo. Strebe, W. Binder, Jacob Vogt, 
Water street; Michael Redman, restaurateur, corner of Hamilton 
and Jefferson. 

D. H. Jerome & Co's. hardware store stood on the corner of 
Water and Van Buren streets; N. Gibson's ironmongery store was 
.ocated on Water street, in what was known as the " Gibson 
block.'" 

Mrs. Rice and Miss Hamilton were the proprietresses of milli- 
nery establishments. 

John Mullcahy, M. Rathkie and F. A. Leasia carried on three 
tailoring establishments on Water street. 

The Methodist church, then situated near the court-house on 
Washington street, was presided over by Rev. T. C. Higgins. 
The Masonic lodge-room stood on the corner of Cass and Hamilton 
streets. The Dutch Reform Society's hall was located on Ames 
street; the First Presbyterian church, on Court street; the Protes- 
tant Episcopal church, on Washington near the Public square, and 
the Catholic church, on the northeast corner of Washington and 
Monroe. The Union school, the Saginaw City Literary Associa- 
tion, Miss Ripley's and Miss Mulholland's select schools, Odd Fel- 
lows Saginaw Lodge, No. 42, with perhaps a few other religious, 
literary, scholastic and friendly organizations, were in existence. 

From 1858 to 1862, very few additions were made to the busi- 
ness portion of the city. In the latter year a number of wealthy 
and enterprising men were added to the population, and within a 
few years the brick blocks, which now ornament the business cen- 
ter, were erected. 

SAGINAW in 1865. 

In reviewing the city of 16 years ago, and comparing it with the 
city of to-day. one is forcibly reminded of all that well directed 
enterprise can accomplish. It is said that " The Webster House " 
was then the principal house, as it had been for nearly 30 years. 
On Water, beginning at Jefferson, was to be found the foot of busi- 
ness, and either side of the street, extending to Mackinaw, were 
to be found all the stores in the city, with one solitary exception. 
The buildings were not at all imposing, as may be seen by a view 
of the best ones. There was on the present site of the water- 
works a one-story brick office, and on the corner of Court street 



a a'.i.n \\v city. 609 

the Bauer block (erected L863), which were the only brick build- 
ings <>n that street at that time. Court street was occupied by two 
business places, the banking officeof Gr. L. Burrows (erected 1863) 
and the stationery store on the corner of Hamilton. The Ameri- 
can Souse stood between Court and Franklin on Hamilton street, 
and this with two well patronized places of resort for gentlemen of 
leisure, on the corner of Franklin and Jefferson, constituted the 
business of thai street. 

The Saginaw Valley Republican was then published in a build- 
inn- on tin- corner of Ames and Washington streets. There were 
then tour hotels in the city, and in addition to the two brick build- 
ings already mentioned there were two brick residences, what is now 
the Sixth ward school-house on Monroe, and the county office 
adjoining the court-house. There were five churches, viz. : the 
Presbyterian, German F>angelical, Methodist, Episcopal and 
( Jatholic. The German school building was situated at the corner 
of Court and Washington, the Central on Court street, and the 
First on Monroe. During the year, four brick buildings were 
erected on Water street, and the building of the Taylor House 
commenced. Where to-day are the massive, elegant buildings,, at 
the intersection of Court and Hamilton streets, were three small 
gardens, and where the Saginaw barrel factory is located, was the 
old cemetery. Business blocks and dwelling-houses have been 
built Avhere the garden beds of the settlers, previous to 1865, were 
hidden beneath their weight of vegetables or flowers. 

The Flint & Fere Marquette railroad, connecting this city with 
Flint, was completed in 1862; the street railroad to East Saginaw, 
finished in 1861, and the building of the Jackson, Lansing & Sag- 
inaw railroad in 1866, aided materially in building up the city. 
Following immediately the advent of the railroad, the Bauer, the 
Burrows' Bank and the Taylor House blocks were raised. Within 
the 10 succeeding years no less than 115 places of business were 
opened, each carried on in a brick structure. 

The second term of depression began in 1873. The crisis was 
felt in the cities of the Saginaw, and regarded with some more 
concern here than even in Eastern towns. The district was literally 
full of people, many employed, many waiting for employment. 
At this critical moment in the history of the city, the council 
authorized the construction of the water-works, while many of the 
citizens saw the time had arrived when, by erecting residences, 
they would serve themselves as well as benefit the working classes. 
The progress of these buildings afforded a good deal of employ- 
ment and averted many of the hardships from which the people of 
other cities suffered. Notwithstanding the efforts of the citizens 
to supply the demands of labor, the financial crash of 1873 affected 
numbers of the people, and drove them to the alternative of seek- 
ing other homes; yet the suffering which it occasioned here was 
comparatively little, when other cities are considered. During the 
years of depression the city offered just sufficient employment to 
enable the industrious working man to ' i tideover ,, that term of 



tilO HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

stagnation in trade, and await the return of prosperous times. As- 
Saginaw was among the iirst cities to feel the effects of the finan- 
cial crash, so also was it among the first to recover from the panic. 
It survived the second as it did the first misfortune, growing larger 
after each reverse, and brighter after each obscurity. 

IN SE MAGNA RUUNT. 

Great bodies are apt to rush against each other; but in the case 
of the two Saginaws the proverb was set aside in 1873. During 
that year an effort was made to unite the two cities under one 
municipal government. The party of consolidation issued an 
address showing the many benefits which would accrue to Saginaw 
City in the event of a union with her younger sister on the east 
side. The logic was really good in every instance save one, and 
that was the arrangement of " Uncle Samuel's " postoffice. The 
offices then in existence would remain so, notwithstanding the fact 
that there would be only one city in the event of consolidation be- 
coming an accomplished fact. 

The anti-consolidationists, a numerous band, did not fail to per- 
ceive that there was a statement made in the address, which, if 
carried out, would revolutionize the rules of the U. S. P. O. depart- 
ment. Now, they had no reason wdiatever to suppose that Uncle 
Samuel, in his paternal solicitude for the lumber and salt cities, 
would override precedent by acceding to the desires of the union- 
ists, yet the opposers of this union were very skeptical on the 
question, and taking advantage of a doubt, annihilated this section 
of the address. Article after article was fully studied, and still 
the anti-consolidationists failed to find any sound reason why Sag- 
inaw and East Saginaw should unite in municipal bonds. The 
agitation was continued for some time, but the little band of union- 
ists was silenced by popular vote and their city allowed to remain 
as they found it. 

Whether the agitation will ever be revived is questionable, yet 
not without the range of probability, for the reason that there 
are many and influential men in the city who cannot cast aside 
their faith in the strength of union, or fail to recognize the fact 
that in some instances the majority form very erroneous conclu- 
sions. 

It is not within the province of this history to say which party 
erred in 1873; but it may be candidly stated that there is some 
want on the west side of the river which should be supplied. The 
location of Saginaw City cannot be excelled; its water privileges 
are as extensive as those claimed by East Saginaw; the city is the 
home of idle capital which should be utilized until the beautiful 
land, from the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers 
to the northern limits of Carrollton, be hidden beneath factories, 
stores and happy homes. 



SAGINAW CITY. 613 

THE city OF THE PRESENT. 

From what has been written on the progress of this city, it will 
appear that its municipal and commercial beginning was made in 
ls."»7. and extended in L865. Since the day of the incorporation 
of Saginaw as a city, its advance, though not so remarkable as its 
eastern sister, will compare very favorably with any of the new 
cities of the Union. To-day there are as many business houses 
and factories here as there wire men, women and children at the 
beginning of the year 1857; and still there is no reason whatever 
to suppose thai the city has reached the limit of its growth. 
There are L09 street- within the tire limits, laid off regularly, 
many of them great thoroughfares, and the greater number shaded 
with a double line of thrifty trees. Although these streets are 
well built up, there is yet sufficient room for building purposes. 
The business center is metropolitan in the character of its houses 
and streets ; the stores are at once attractive and extensive ; the 
Taylor House and 14 other hotels are all well adapted to 
meet the requirements of the city in this respect, each fostering a 
special trade : the offices of manufacturers, bankers, insurance 
companies and professional men are carried on systematically; re- 
ligion, education, fraternity are all well represented, and under 
the regime of a well regulated society, the city progresses slowly 
but surely, to hold that high place to which its situation and 
the intelligence of its people entitle it. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The history <»f the Presbyterian Church of Saginaw City extends 
back to the pioneer days, when INorman Little, Wm. Hartwell, 
Thomas Smith, T. L. Howe, Hinds Smith, Mrs. Harvey Will- 
iams. Jane A. Little, Elizabeth Bice, Mrs. H. L. Miller, 
Mabel Terrill, Mrs. Julia Smith and Mrs. T. L. Howe formed a 
Presbyterian society, with Kev. H. L. Miller as director. Two 
years later, March 1, 1838, the society was organized, and as Mr. 
Miller presided over its beginning, so he continued now to watch 
over its growth. 

The first sermon delivered in the Valley to an American congre- 
gation, was that preached by Mr. Miller in the carpentery, which 
then occupied the southeast corner of Washington and Ames; the 
next meeting of the society was held in the postoffice, north side 
of Court, between Hamilton and Water streets. The subsequent 
meetings were held within Norman Little's house, then standing 
on the corner of Washington and Madison; again in the ^Me- 
chanic's Hall. ** Washington street ; and in 1837 within that church- 
-chool-court-house, in early days removed by order of the Board 
of County Commissioners, from its old location, directly in rear of 
the present court-house, to the spot on which the county jail now 
stands, lest the good old building would take fire, and in turn: 
help to destroy the great court-house, then being built. After flu* 

37 



614 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

change of location this very useful old structure continued in use 
as a church-school-house, etc., until 1852, when the Presbyterian 
congregation began to worship in their new church, completed 
and dedicated Dec. 12, that year. 

Mr. Miller continued in the ministry of the Church until the fall 
of 1839, when, owing to failing health, he retired. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. C. F. Foot, who remained until May, 1810. From 
this period until March, 1842, there is no record save that con- 
tained in the simple sentence: "The church was organized as a 
Presbyterian Church, but, during the first years of its existence, 
was not under the care of any ecclesiastical body.' 1 In 1842 Rev. 
Harvey Hyde was " stated supply," the form of government was 
changed from the Presbyterian to that of the Congregational; but 
one year later, in 1843, returned to its original form, connected 
itself with the Detroit Presbytery, and observed this connection 
until the constitution of the Saginaw Presbytery in 1856, to which 
it was transferred. 

Mr. Hyde remained until May, 1844. Rev. C. H. Baldwin suc- 
ceeded, as " stated supply," January, 1846, and retired July, 1847. 
Rev. Louis Mills was " stated supply " from November, 1848, to 
July, 1849. After this period the Rev. D. M. Cooper received a 
call, June, 1851, and continued in the pastorate until April, 1859 
During his ministry the first church built in the Valley was con-' 
structed at a cost of over $3,000, after plans by H. C. Weston. The 
dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. R. R. Kellogg, of Detroit. 
Rev. D. H. Taylor succeeded Mr. Cooper as stated supply, and 
continued in the ministry from March, 1861, to March, 1865, when 
a call was extended to the Rev. J. W. Hough. Rev. R. P. Shaw 
entered upon the duties of pastor, and continued in the ministry 
of the Church here until succeeded by Rev. Mr. Bruske. 

The condition of the Church on April 1, 1881, is shown in the 
following exhibit: 

Added to church on examination 8 

" " " " certificate 13 

Entire membership 169 

Adults baptized 4 

Children " 20 

Sunday-school membership 300 

COLLECTIONS. 

Home Misssons $ 268 31 

Foreign " 20153 

Relief fund 87 85 

General Assembly 10 57 

For sufferers by famine in Persia 102 90 

By Sabbath-school for American Sunday-school Union 52 10 

By young people's class 2 10 

By Golden Rule Mission Band 60 00 

By Woman's Foreign Missionary Society 142 15 

Total 927 51 

Obn^resmtional $2,238 39 



SAGINAW CITY. 615 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

Tbe following historical sketch of the M. E. Society and Church 
was written by Hon. John Moore, and placed at the disposal of the 
publishers of this history by the present pastor, Rev. I. H. 
Reddiek: 

''May 20, 1850, Rev. George Bradley, as presiding elder of the 
Grand Rapids district of the Methodist Conference, made a cer- 
tificate appointing Andrew Bell, Stephen Lyttle, Levi D. Cham- 
berlain and Louisa Hart, ' Trustees in Trust of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in Saginaw county.' This certificate was recorded 
June 24, 1850. Mr. Bradley was at this date presiding elder of a 
district embracing, I think, Lapeer county on the east, extend- 
ing to Lake Michigan on the west, and including all the territory 
to the north in the Lower Peninsula. Mr. Bradley was a 
noble specimen of that type of Methodist preachers who 25 
years ago labored in the pioneer work of the Church in this 
State. In person and in capacity to endure labor, he might well 
be called a giant. He had great natural ability. His voice sweet and 
pleasant in ordinary discourse, was at times ' a voice of thunder.' 
His zeal and earnestness of purpose in his Master's cause stopped 
at no sacrifice. When a boy I learned to love him, and in 
mature years he commanded my highest respect. When he died 
the Church lost one of the best and purest men I ever knew. 

"This appointment of trustees by Mr. Bradley was, I suppose, 
for this place (Saginaw City), although in terms general for the 
county. The organization then created must, I think, have lapsed, 
as when I came here it had no active existence, and was never after- 
ward recognized. Lyttle, I am informed, resided in what has since 
been called South Saginaw, and died in the latter part of the year 
1S50. Chamberlain resided, where I knew him years afterward, 
in Tittabawassee township, where he died not long since. Hart I 
never knew. Bell, I think, must have been a minister who had 
prior to that time preached here. None of them resided here in 
the spring of 1851. At this last named date there was no Methodist 
Church organization, no class and noregular preaching. Occasion- 
ally during the summer of that year, Bradley, as presiding elder, 
preached in that part of the court-house then finished — in the first 
story, used as a court-room, and for all public meetings. Prior to 
this, and as early as 1835 or 1836, Methodist ministers had 

? reached here in connection with other charges in Genesee county. 
am told that Bell, Brown and Brockway had thus labored here. 
Mr. Brockway informed me that he bad preached here, but there 
was no organization and no class. 

" In the fall of 1851 the Rev. C. C. Olds was sent by the Con- 
ference, and remained with us for one year. He organized a class, 
consisting of Theodore Dean, his two sisters and Mrs. Moore. 
This, I suppose, was the first class formed, and the commencement 



616 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

of the present Church organization, as it has been maintained to 
the present time. I know of no other person then resident here 
who professed to be a Methodist. There were several then resid- 
ing near Shattuck's mill: J. N. Gotee and his wife, who after- 
ward removed to this place and united with the Church; Mrs. Shat- 
tuck, C. C. Batchelor, Mrs. Swarthout and, perhaps, others in that 
vicinity; but they constituted a separate class, and held meetings 
n the Ure school-house. 

" Dean and his sisters, soon after this class was formed, moved to 
East Saginaw. The sisters married and removed to Winona, in 
the State of Minnesota, where they resided when I last heard from 
them. Dean left the country after a few years, and, I think, is 
dead. Mrs. Moore is the sole resident survivor of that class. The 
Church records, I suppose, show the names of those who from that 
time to this have been members of the Church. I could give the 
names of many, but not all; and their recapitulation, if of record, 
could do us no good. Mr. Olds remained until the fall of 1852. 
At that date Bradley, who had been presiding elder for many 
years, was appointed to look after Saginaw City, East Saginaw, 
Bay City (then Lower Saginaw), and the whole Saginaw Yalley, in- 
cluding the Indian missions. lie had no assistant. He was fol- 
lowed in the fall of 1853 by A. C. Shaw, who resided at East Sagi- 
naw, and preached in both towns. In January, 185-1, a contract 
was made for lot 4, in block 7, north of Cass street, upon which 
the church in part stands. One of the duplicate contracts for the 
lot I have preserved, and with this pass the same over to your 
Board, with the hope that it maybe kept. You will notice that it 
is conditional, and binds no one but Mrs. Mackie, the grantor. 
There was good reason for this peculiarity. The party of the 
second part is called the "'Trustees in Trust of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Saginaw;' 1 but there were no trustees, and 
there was no one to contract. The pastor, Mr. Shaw, a very 
zealous man, was determined to have a place of worship, and 
cared little for any legal organization. The difficulty was solved 
by the contract providing for payment of interest upon two hun- 
dred and fifty dollars and taxes for five years, and at the end of 
that time, if the principal sum was paid, a deed was to be given; if 
not paid, the society had the right to remove buildings from the 
lot. To make it sure that the interest and taxes would be paid, I 
guarantied their payment in due form. Mr. Frazer, then Mrs. 
Mackie's attorney in fact, was satisfied; but whether any primary 
circumstances were such that the guaranty was of any real value 
might well be doubted by one as well advised as myself of my 
financial condition. 

" Soon after this contract was made the old school-house was pur- 
chased and moved upon the lot, fitted up as a chapel, and used as 
such until the present church was built, when it was changed again 
and made into a parsonage. It was used as a parsonage until fS73 
or 1874, when it was sold and removed from the premises. This 
old building has a history full of interest, but further than here 



SAGINAW CITY. 



617 



stated, it does not belong properly to the Church. Nov. 18, 1859, 
the stipulated price of our lot was paid, and the title conveyed to 
James N . Gotee, L. B. Curtis, Major W. Ilollister, Smith Palmer, 
Edwin Saunders. George W. Davis and Abner Hubbard as trustees. 
The form of deed was that provided for in the discipline then in 
use. These persons had been, on the 5th of March preceding, ap- 
pointed trustees by William Fox, preacher in charge, and their 
certificates of appointment duly recorded in the clerk's office. 
Nov. 7. I860, ten feet of lot three, in block seven, lying adjoining 
lot four, was purchased of James Fraser and George W. Bullock, 
and on that day conveyed to the same trustees for the considera- 
tion of S100. On the 16th of October, 1866, 50 feet of lot three 
and ten feet of lot two were donated to the Church by L. B. 
Curtis and myself, and conveyed to the Church by A. Lacy, under 
an agreement made with him by Mr. Curtis and myself. These 
three conveyances granted to the Church, and it now owns in 
fee-simple, lots three and four, block seven, north of Cass street, 
and 10 feet of lot two, adjoining lot three, in said block. The 
Church building as first erected was commenced in the y r 
1S59 or 1860, while Rev. William Fox was pastor, and finished in 
L861. Charles C. Miller was the builder. It was afterward en- 
larged by the addition of 30 feet in the rear, and again still further 
by what is now used as a lecture-room, etc. 

,% lt might be of some interest in future, if not now, to have in 
accessible form the names of all the preachers who have labored 
here since 1851. It is possible that there may be some mistakes 
in the list given in the years when some of them came and the 
time they remained, as I give the same from memory. I think, 
however, that the following is correct, viz.: 



C. C. Olds 1851-'2 

G -ge Bradley 1852-'3 

A. C. Shaw ( in connection with 

East Saginaw) 18o3-'4 

Samuel (lenient (in connec- 
tion with«Easl Saginaw) 1854-'5 

John Levington 1855-'7 

Ih --ins 1857-'8 

William Fox 18.')8-'00 

Arthur Edwards, 1860 to sum- 
mer of 1861, when he became 
chaplain of 1st Re<r. Mich. 
Vol Inf I860-'! 



R. s. Pardington 1861-3 

J. C. Cochrane 1863-'4 

A. R. Bartlett 1864-'7 

.1. H. Burnham 1867-'9 

George I. Belts 1869-'70 

J. X. Elwood 1870-'2 

J. Venning 1872-'5 

Thomas Stalker 1875-'7 

Beth Reed 1877-'9 

Isaac II. Reddick 1879-'81 



" In 1867 my attention was called to certain informalities in the 
certificates of* incorporation that had been tiled and recorded in the 
Register's office, and in the name of the corporation. In that year 
I prepared an act to change the corporate name, and the same was 
passed by the Legislature and became a law. It may be found on 
page 285 of 2d vol.. Laws of 1867. The corporate name, and in 
which business should be done, is the 'Methodist Episcopal 
Church of the City of Saginaw.' I wish I could give the years 



618 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

when a good parsonage was built, but that gratification must be 
left for the future." 

Since this sketch of the M. E. Church was written, the parson- 
age, suggested by Hon. John Moore, was built, and improvement 
after improvement effected. 

THE AMES CHAPEL 

in connection witli the M. E. Church was built in 1873, and 
dedicated the same year. This chapel is located on the Penoyer 
farm, near Lincoln avenue. Rev. James Riley was the first 
missionary. Rev. Oscar W. Willetts succeeded him. 

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The Protestant Episcopal Society was organized in 1851, with 
Rev. Joseph Adderly as pastor. So early as 1836 James Busby, 
Mrs. Busby and Mrs. A. L. Richman, bein^the only members ot 
the Episcopal Church in the Valley of the Saginaw, took steps to 
organize a society. In 1841 the services of the Church were held 
here by Rev. D. E. Brown, of Flint, for the first time; but not 
until 1851 were the wishes of the first members of the Church here 
acceded to. In that year Saginaw City was erected into the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Parish of St. John. Rev. D. B. Lyon visited the 
mission from 1846 until the coming of Rev. Joseph Adderly, dur- 
ing whose pastorate the parish was organized. Rev. V. Spalding 
was appointed to take charge of the mission Jan. 15, 1S53, by 
Bishop McCoskry. 

By a resolution of the wardens and vestry, adopted Jan. 22, 
1853, Rev. Mr. Spalding was requested to become rector of the 
Church at a salary of $300 per annum. Another resolution 
authorized the loan of $2< >0 from the Ladies' Association to be 
applied in completing the church building, the corner-stone ol 
which was laid byRt. Rev. Bishop McCoskry, April 7, 1853. The 
sum so borrowed was guarantied by a note, payable upon the com- 
pletion of the edifice, signed by E. J. Van Buren, Israel S. Catlin, 
Wardens; M. L. Gage, Charles L. Richman and Geo. H. Bullock, 
Vestrymen. At a meeting held March 28, 1853, under the presi- 
dency of Rev. V. Spalding, F. Millard and G. W. Bullock were 
appointed a building committee. Rev. O. H. Staples officiated 
for a short time in 1858. Rev. Edward McGee succeeded to the 
pastorate March IT, 1859. 

The new church was consecrated by Bishop McCoskry, May 0, 
I860, in presence of the congregation and of the vestry. The lat- 
ter was represented on the occasion by X. Barnard, W. Binder, 
M. Butman, N. I). Lee, J. Parish, D. H. Jerome, L. Webster, 
Geo. Williams, Stewart B. Williams, and W. H. Sweet. 

Owing to munificence at home and the earnestness with which 
Rev. Mr. Spalding and Charles L. Richman sought financial aid 
abroad, the sum required to liquidate the debt incurred in building 



SAGINAW (ITY. 619 

the church was furnished; the two gentlemen named succeeded in 
collecting $1,100 in the Eastern towns, together with a baptismal 
bowl and communion set, donated by Mrs. Hale, of Canandaigua. 
Geo. W. Bullock presented the Bibie and prayer-book, which are 
now in possession of the pastor. 

Rev. Mr. McGee was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. O. E. 
Fuller, June 18, L862. Rev, John Leetch, of Elmira, N". V., 
was called by the vestry July 1<>, IS*)."). Rev. W. H. Watts was 
next called to the rectorship, and entered upon the duties of his 
office Dec. 1, 1871. Mr. Watts was succeeded by Rev. L. S. 
Stevens, of Toledo, Ohio, Dee. 1, 1876, under whose administra- 
tion the society has grown in number and influence. The church 
was enlarged auring the year 1873 at an expense of $2,200, and 
the rectory completed in L878 at a cost of $3,500. Further im- 
provements are proposed, among them being the erection of anew 
church. 

TIIK CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

There are no records on which to base data regarding the first 
services of the Church in the great camp ground of the Chippewa 
Indians. It is, however, very probable that each and every one of 
the French missionaries visited the Saginaw Yalley, and, as is the 
custom of the ministers of that faith, erected a temporary altar, 
whereon to offer sacrifice. In the early trading days, before the 
treaty of Saginaw was perfected, the blacked-robed missionaries 
were wont to visit this section of the land at long intervals; and 
even subsequently to 1819 a few priests came hither. 

In 1841 Rev. Martin Kundig arrived here to -establish aCatholic 
mission, and in the month of May held service in the house of I. 
J. Maiden, on Water street, near the location of the first freight 
depot of the M. C. R. R. Rev. Lawrence Kilroy, afterward agent 
of the State of Indiana in the war for the Union, and now of Strat- 
ford, C. W.. was appointed to the charge of the Saginaw mission, 
and for many years held the services of the Church in the homes 
of the people. Father Monahan and Kendekens succeeded him. 
Rev. II. T. II. Schntzes, Secretary to Bishop Borgess, was the first 
priest appointed to the special charge of the Saginaw Valley mis- 
sion. The first house of worship was a carpenter's shop, purchased 
in 1852, which stood on Washington street, opposite the Baptist 
church. In 1853 this building was moved to the N. E. corner of 
Monroe and Washington, and used as a church for the 12 succeed- 
ing years. Rev. R. Vanderhayden was appointed priest of the 
mission of Saginaw and East Saginaw in 1862, and under his direc- 
tion the present church was built in 1865. Five years later the 
building was enlarged, the erection of schools commenced, and 
subsequently a parochial house erected. In 1866 the half parish 
of East Saginaw was set off as a separate mission, and Rev. 11. 
Vanderhayden appointed pastor of the Church here. Since that 



020 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

time schools have been built, the Sisters of Providence have estab- 
lished a convent here, the church building has been enlarged and 
otherwise improved, the congregation has increased, and the 
general condition of the parish is satisfactory. 

THE SAGINAW BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized Nov. 19, 1S63. From the time of the organization 
of the Church in East Saginaw, in 1858, the Baptists on the west 
side of the river had been connected with that Church. But in the 
month of November, 1863, 14 of them asked for letters of dismis- 
sion from the East Saginaw Church in order to form themselves 
into a Church in this city. The names of those 14 persons were 
as follows: Y. A. Paine, Mrs. Harriet Paine, Ebenezer Briggs, 
Wm. M, Haskell, Mrs. Julia M. Haskell, Eli Townsend, Mrs. Han- 
nah Townsend, Mrs. Belinda Benjamin, Mrs. Nancy A. Cody, Mrs. 
Matilda Miller, Mrs. Christina Ross, Mrs. Mercia B. Palmer, 
Jane Low and Hannah Briggs.. In addition to these, Mrs. Julia 
A. Burrows brought a letter from the First Church in Rochester, 
N. Y., and Mrs. Jenny F. Paine brought one from the Church in 
Bay City, thus making the number of constituent members 16. 

The meeting for organization was held on the date above given 
in the house of V. A. Paine, then standing on Court street in the 
place now occupied by the Jay Smith building, and now standing 
on the corner of Washington and Adams streets. Rev. J. S. 
Goodman was chairman of the meeting and V. A. Paine was clerk. 
The Scriptures were read and prayer was offered by Rev. J. S. Good- 
man. After the presentation of the letters, the Church was organ- 
ized by the adoption of the Articles of Faith and the Covenant. 
Ebenezer Briggs was chosen Clerk of the Church. Appointments 
were made for religious services on Sabbath afternoons and Thurs- 
day evenings. Dec. 3, Wm. M. Haskell and Ebenezer Briggs were 
chosen Deacons. 

The legal organization and incorporation of the Church and 
Society was effected in July, 1864. The trustees appointed at 
this time were Valorous A. Paine, George L. Burrows and Wm. J. 
Bartow. 

The Church held its services for a time in the jury room of the 
court-house. The first church building owned by the Church was 
the one on the corner of Fayette and Franklin streets, now owned 
by the Evangelical Association. This church was dedicated in 1865. 
The Mission chapel, on Fayette street between Perry and Dearborn, 
• was dedicated June 4, 1871. The church building on Washing- 
ton street, near Adams, was bought of the Liberal Christian Society, 
and was dedicated on the 27th of March, 187S. The sermon on 
this occasion was preached by Rev. Dr. Hotchkiss, of Buffalo. N. 
Y. The parsonage on Fayette street near Franklin, has been 
occupied since July 31, 1S77. 



8A.OINAW OITY fi'il 

Pastors. — Although Rev. J. 8. G-oodinan was never formally 
called to the pastorate of the Church, he virtually did the work of 
a pastor for three years and over from the time of its organization. 
During his term of service the first church building was erected. 

Rev. L. L. Fittz was the first settled pastor. lie began his work 
in January, L867, and remained for one year. Rev. X. P. Barlow 
began work with the Church in September, 1868. He was or-. 
darned on the L4th of October in that year. He remained for a 
year and a half, till the spring of L870. During Ids pastorate the 
Mission Sunday-school was organized, and the chapel was nearly 
completed. Rev. W. K. Lyon was next called to the pastorate. 
He began his work in May, l s 7". ami remained for two years and 
nine months, closing his work in 1873. Rev. W". W. rattengill 
was the next pastor. lie began work June 1. 1873, and closed 
his pastorate May 31, L881, after eight years of service. It 
was during the time of his pastorate that the parsonage was erected 
and the present church edifice was purchased. 

Deacons, Sunday-school Swpts. ulerk, etc., — As already noticed. 
Win. II. Haskell, and Ebenezer Briggs were elected the first 
deacon-. LJponthe death ofDeacon Briggs, in L872, Wm. T. Tib- 
bits was chosen to sneered him. In September. 1880, the number 
of deacons was increased by electing W. P. Morgan and Oscar C. 
Davis to the office. Deacon E. Briggs was the first church clerk. 

Wm. Tibbits served a few months as clevkprotem., when X. W. 
Denison was appointed. 

The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was Rev. J. S. 
Goodman. He was succeeded by Dr. (4eo. Xorthrup. Levi Clark 
next held the office. He was succeeded in l s 71 by Dr. W. P. 
Morgan, who still holds the office. The Mission Sunday-school 
was organized by Rev. X. P. Barlow, who was the first superin- 
tendent. The office has since been held by Messrs. Irving, Pat- 
tengill and Wood. Mr. Wood having held the office for six years. 

The number of trustee- was increased in 1875 from three to 
seven. The trustees at present are: G-. S. Burrows, O.C.Davis, 
N. W. Denison. W. P. Morgan. A. B. Paine, Wm. T. Tibbits, X. 
S.Wood. Theyappoinl the treasurer. X. S. Wood has held that 
office since February, 1 N 7-"». 

Auxiliary Organizations. — The Woman's Mis-ion Circle for 
both home and foreign missions. President. Mrs. W. W. Patten- 

The Children s Mission Hand, under the direction of Mrs. V\ A. 
Paine and Mrs. (i. L Burrows. 

The Ladies 1 Aid Society. President, Mrs. X. S. Wood. 

The Foune folk-" Literary Society. President. Latham A. 
ourr< >ws. 

Two hundred and seventeen persons have been connected with 
this Church since its organization. Of these 114 are still mem- 
bers. 



622 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

This Church has made a good record in benevolent work. 
Regular and systematic contributions are made in the Church and 
in the Sunday-school for missionary purposes. This Church has 
united with other Churches in promoting the temperance work in 
the city. Its members purpose to give sympathy and help to 
every enterprise which aims to secure the moral and spiritual wel- 
fare of the community. 

Till; GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 

As early as 1847 Rev. F. Sievers, from Frankenlust, preached 
to a few families, viz: H. Selteriede's, M. Hancke's and G. 
Dierker's, in their houses. The congregation was organized Jan. 
29, 1849. It embraces the canonical books of the Bible as the 
word of God and adheres unreservedly to the symbolical books of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as contained in the Book of 
Concord, published 1580. The small congregation (J. A. Gender. 
K. F. Kull, J. J. Weiss, E. Weggel, J. M. Hancke, G. Dierker, 
M. Backer, M. Gremel, M. Winkler, J. M. Strauss) extended a 
call as pastor to the candidate of theology, O. Homer Cloeter. He 
accepted and was installed Nov. 30, by Rev. F. Sievers. In 1850 
the congregation became a member of the German Evangelical 
Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States. In the same 
year the congregation bought a lot on the southeast corner of Court 
and Washington streets, and in the following year built a small 
church and parsonage thereon, and the church was dedicated Nov. 
16. In the year 1852 the congregation was presented with half 
an acre of land in Hermannsan for a grave-yard. In 1855 the con- 
gregation bought a house with two lots on the southwest corner of 
Adams and Webster streets, for a parsonage, and the small house 
beside the church was used for school purposes. Two years later Rev. 
(). Cloeter accepted a call to serve as missionary among the Indi- 
ans in Minnesota; his successor was Rev. J. A. Huegli. In 1859 
the church proved to be too small, and it was in consequence en- 
larged. At the end of the same year Rev. J. A. Huegli accepted 
a call to Detroit, Mich. ; as his successor Rev. M. Guenther was 
installed Jan. 8, 1850. In 1863 the congregation bought two acres 
on the cross road for a burying ground. In the year 1866 the 
congregation sold the parsonage on Adams street, bought four lots 
on Court, between Harrison and Fayette streets, and erected anew 
parsonage costing $1,200, on the northeast corner of Harrison and 
Court streets, in 1868 the congregation built a new church, a 
brick building, lt'5x48 feet, on the northwest corner of Court and 
Fayette streets, costing about $18,000. The church was dedicated 
Feb. 7, 1869. In the year 1872 Rev. M. Guenther accepted a call 
to Chicago, 111., and his successor was the present pastor, Jos. 
Schmidt. A new organ w T as bought in 1875, costing $2,000. About 
160 families belong to the Church, w T ith 900 souls. At presentthe 
officers of the Church are: 1. Church Elders — H. Graebner, A. 
Mittelberger, A. Graebner, G. Streeb, J. Gaensbauer; 2. Trustees 



SAGINAW CITY. 623 

—P. Schlenk, W. Seidel, sen., J. Winter, jr.; 3, School Collect- 
ed — I. Street), Gr. Torn, ('. Schaefer, N. Stroebel, sen. 

The Church members deem it their Christian duty to provide 
their children with sound, religious instruction, and therefore 
especially parochial schools. From the beginning the pastors of 
the ( hurch (on account of the congregation not having the means 
rapport a teacher), besides their ministerial duties, took the 
work in the school upon themselves. On account of the old 
parsonage, besides the first church being too small, the congre- 
gation built a school-house in 1861 and called a teacher. In 
1st'..", a school-house costing $1,200 was built in Hermannsan 
(town Carrollton, three miles from the court-house in Saginaw 
City) and a second teacher was called. In 1868 a two-story 
frame school-building was erected on Court street, between 
Fayette and Harrison streets, at a cost of $2,500. A third teacher 
was called in L872. The present teachers of the congregation are 
Messrs. C. Riedel and W. Klemm in the city, and A. Weiss 
in Hermannsan. The present number of the school children 
is 160. 

st. padl's evangelical Lutheran church 

was organized Nov. 30, 1851, by Rev. Julius Ehrhart with 22 
members. The first officers were Win. Barie and M. Strauss, Dea- 
con.-: J. P. Roller, H. Schnu phase and Dr. M. C. T. Plessner, Trus- 
tees. Six years later a church was erected at the corner of 
Harrison and Ames streets. Subsequently, in 1869, the present 
church was built, at a cost of $8,000, and dedicated Oct. IT, of 
that year. 

The first pastor of this Church was Rev. J. Ehrhart. Since his 
ministry the following named gentlemen have officiated as pastors 
and teachers: Christian Foltz, Conrad Foltz, C. Adam, Hugh B, 
Kuhn. At present Rev. Chris. Eberhardt officiates as pastor, with 

E. Sperling teacher of the parochial school. The present officers of 
the society are Melchior Diebel and Fred Kreinman, Deacons; A. 

F. Richter. C. Bassee and II. Meyer, Trustees; E. Sperling, Secre- 
tary. The membership is set down at 192. 

The school was established at the same time as the Church, and 
otters to the children of the parish an elementary education in Eng- 
lish and German. The old church, built in 1857, is devoted to the 
purposes of the school since 1869. The entire property of this 
society in Saginaw City is valued at $12,000. 

THE LIBERAL CHRISTIAN CHUECH. 

This society was organized in 1871, with Rev. J. H.Burnham as 
pastor. Immediately succeeding organization the members resolved 
to build a church, and within a few months witnessed the dedica- 
tion of a house of worship — July 18, 1871. At one period in the 
history of this society, the congregation numbered 270 members; 
but the organization was discontinued, the building sold to the 



621 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Baptist society, and the members left at liberty to attach them- 
selves to any section of the Christian Church. The building erected 
in 1871 remains to bnv testim my to the earnestness which 
characterized its projectors, as well as to their financial and relig- 
ious liberality. 

THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION 

was formed in 1875 by Rev. M. Heinninger, o'f Flint, with Vin- 
cent Gaum, C. L. and President; Daniel Haller, Secretary; John 
Himmelbach, Treasurer, and Rev. J. M. Fuehs, Pastor. In 1878, 
the old Baptist church on Lafayette and Franklin streets was pur- 
chased by the association for $1,500, and improved at an additional 
expense of $600. The first members of the association included: 
Vincent Gaum, Rosa Gaum, August Wagner, Caroline Wagner, 
August Man, Augusta Man, John Adam Stengel, Barbara Stengel, 
Katie Stengel, Henrietta Guenther, Louise Guenther, Albert 
Guenther, Mary Nast, Charles Jahrmarkt and Herman Jahrmarkt, 
— 15 in all. The pastors from date of organization to the present 
time are as follows: J. M. Fuchs, C. C. Stiffield, W. F. Zanders 
and H. Schneider. The present officers of the society are John 
Hadel, President; Augustus Mann, Secretary; Vincent Gaum, 
Treasurer and Class Leader. Daniel Haller was first Superin- 
tendent of Sunday-school, John Ilimmelbach is the present Super- 
intendent; Barbara Stengel, Secretary; V. Gaum, Treasurer. The 
present membership is 45. 

CITY SCHOOLS. 

The following sketch of the city schools was prepared by Prof. 
C. B. Thomas, principal of the high school, for this work. 

After the lapse of nearly a half century, it is a difficult task to 
gather material for a complete and accurate history of any particular 
department of social history. It is especially so in regard to educa- 
tional matters. 

The public schools of a frontier town have always a humble 
beginning. Those who were instrumental in instituting and main- 
taining them, often die, or remove to other localities before the his- 
tory is called for. The teachers in early days are migratory in 
their habits, doing but temporary work, and almost no official 
records are left behind. These and other obstacles have made the 
preparation of this sketch a matter of no little difficulty. 

The people who came to Saginaw, in its early settlement, brought 
with them the educational habit. They believed in public schools 
of the New England and New York type, and lost little time in 
making preparation for the education of the children. 

It is not quite certain when the first school was opened here. 
Probably it was held in a building within the fort, or stockade, on 
what is now Hamilton street, near the present site of Kehoe's 



SAGINAW CITY. 625 

grocery store. Irs teacher was Judge Albert Miller, of Vermont. 
This beginning was made about 1835. It was a private school, and 
Mr. Miller may have been followed by one or two others in schools 
of similar organizations. 

In 1 837 school district No. 1, of Saginaw township, was organized, 
ami the first school-house, a small frame building, was erected near 
the present site of the court-house, on the south side of Court street. 
Some years later the building was removed across Court street, and 
i a location where the jail now stands. It was used for school 
purposes till the erection of a more pretentious building in 1851-'2, 
when it was again moved and transformed into a parsonage for the 
M. E. society. It was subsequently removed a third time, fit- 
ted up for domestic purposes, and is still occupied as a dwelling- 
house. The first teacher in this primitive temple of learning was 
probably Horace Beach, of New York. His labors must have been 
satisfactory to the young community, for he was retained for sev- 
eral terms, from the completion of the house in 1837, till about 
1840. 

Following him in the winter of 1840-'l, came Henry A. Camp- 
bell and Dion Birney, the latter a brother of Hon. James G. 
Birney; and in the summer of 1841 Miss Catherine Beach, after- 
ward Mrs. Samuel Shattuck. From 1842 to 1845, three years, 
the school had several different teachers, including Ira Bissell, of 
Grand Blanc; Daniel Woodin, of St. Clair; and Edwin Ferris, of 
New York, who succeeded each other in about the order named. 
During the term of Mr. Ferris, the number of pupils became too 
great for one room and teacher. An addition was therefore made 
to the building, and an assistant teacher, Miss Harmony Haywood, 
of Flint, employed. 

About the close of this time, a Mr. Woodman, from Hamilton , 
X. Y.. was employed for a few months. In 1845 Miss Harriet A. 
Spalding, a 3 T ouug lady, of fine education and accomplishments, 
came to Saginaw from Boston, Mass. She came here as a mission- 
ary, and, in the public schools, found an excellent opportunity to 
advance good work among the young. That her mission was not 
in vain there is abundant evidence. Pupils of hers, still residents 
here, have in their possession letters written to them after her de- 
parture, which prove their love for her, and her sincere regard for 
them. Miss Spalding was engaged in the schools for two years, 
1 v 45 and 1846. From 1847 to 1850, four 3 7 ears, there were several 
teachers, perhaps in the following order: Miss Eliza Booth, E. C. 
Irwin. Miss Anna Dayton, Joseph A. Bipley, of Tuscola, Charles 
T. Disbrow, and Milo Woodard, of Ohio. During 1847, while the 
district school was in charge of Miss Booth, a private school was 
opened and taught for several months by Miss Angeline J. Berry, 
but, from its beginning, as a rule, the public school met the educa- 
tional needs of the time. 

About April, ls51, Augustine S. Gaylord, of Ohio, was secured 
as a teacher, and he taught about six months, with an average attend- 



626 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

ance of 55 scholars. In November, 1851, Mr. Gaylord was ap- 
pointed deputy county clerk, and was succeeded in the school by 
Mr. Charles Johnson, who was employed till the fall of 1853. At 
that time the new building, in process of erection during the pre- 
vious year, was completed, and at about the same time Saginaw 
abolished the rate bill and made her schools absolutely free, being 
among the first localities in her State to take this action. 

In December, 1853, Charles R. Gaylord was engaged as prin- 
cipal of the new Union school, at a salary of $500 for a year of 
44 weeks. Mr. Gaylord's private letters, written at the time, 
state that this was the highest compensation ever before given to a 
Saginaw teacher. Of the school-house itself, which was considered 
a very fine one, he says: "It is well built, capable of seating 200 
pupils, and was erected after plans suggested by the Hon. Ira 
Mayhew, in a work on "Popular Education," pages 38S-"J>.'" 

Mr. Gaylord was assisted by Miss Mary A. Rice, of Grand Blanc, 
and the two rooms had an average attendance of 150 pupils. In 
the following year, 1854-'5, two assistants were needed, the aver- 
age attendance rising to 180. 

Mr. Gaylord resigned his position during the summer vacation, 
opened a law office in what was then Lower Saginaw, and died 
Oct. 14, 1855. 

The studies pursued in the school during Mr. Gaylord's time 
were the common English branches, natural philosophy, algebra, 
and Latin. 

Mr. Gaylord was succeeded by P. S. Heisrodt, whose adminis- 
tration, somewhat noted for its vigor, lasted till 1859, when A. L. 
Bingham, a life-long and very successful teacher, was called to the 
head of the schools. Mr. Bingham remained in the schools about 
three years. From this time their history is too familiar to re- 
quire detail. The principals who succeeded to their management 
after Mr. Bingham, and the time of their engagement, may be 
given briefly, as follows: Isaac Delano, one year; Lucius Birds- 
eye, two years; Joseph W. Ewing, four years; C. D. Heine, three 
years; Cornelius A. Gower, four years; and Cyrus B. Thomas, 
the present superintendent. 

Of all whose names have been mentioned, but four are now 
known to be engaged in teaching, viz.: Mr. Bingham; Mr. Ewing, 
Supt. at Ionia; Mr. Gower, Supt. of the State Reform School, at 
Lansing, and Mr. Thomas, the present Supt. of the Saginaw 
Schools. 

Of the teachers in subordinate capacity, who are still engaged 
in the city schools, there are a few who deserve especial mention 
for their long-continued and faithful services: Miss Sibyl C. 
Palmer has taught 10 years; Miss Josephine E. Johnston, nine 
years; Miss Sarah L. Johnston, nine years; Miss M. Josephine 
Alexander, 10 years; Mrs. Juliette Fonda, 13 years; and Mrs. Mary 
H. Prentiss, who has taught for 21 years. 



SAGINAW CITY. 627 

The present corps of teachers is given below : 

Cyrus I! Thomas, Superintendent. 

//, thi Central highsehool — George Hempel, Principal of high school; Mi-s 
Man B. Gelston, Miss Isabella Ripsom, Assistants in high-school. 
Hiss Sibyl 0. Palmer, 8th grade. 
M i-- Annie !>«■ Land, 8th grade. 
Miss Josephine E. Johnston, 7th grade. 
Mi-s Maggie A Durand, 7th and 5th grail.'. 
Miss Sarah L. Johnston, 6th grade. 
Mi>> Minnie I. De Land. 5th grade. 

Mi>- May E. Atwater, 4th grade, 

Miss Fannie < 1. Lom is. 3d grade. 
.Miss Lucy L. Townsend, 2d and 1st grade. 

German-English Department. — Mr. Constantin Wat/., Principal 5th and 6th 
grade. 

Miss Mary H. Prentiss, 4th grade. 
Mi^s Emily Barck, 3d grade. 
Mi-s Flon-ncc E. Guillott, 2d grade. 
Miss Anna Rose, 1 s1 grade. 

First Ward School. — Miss Amelia Alber, 6th and 5th grades. 
Mi>s Emily Case. 4th and 3d grades, 
Miss M. Josephine Alexander, 2d and 1st grades. 
Third Ward School— Miss Alniina Burrows, 4th and 3d grades. 
Mi-s Carrie Hodman. 2d and 1st grades. 
Fourth Ward School. — Miss Gertrude Lee, 5th and 4th grades 
Mis- K Inula I. Van Zile, 3d and 2d grades. 
Miss Jessie Lee. 1st grade 

Miss EmmaPlessner (German and English department), 2d and 1st grades. 
Fifth Ward School. — Mr. L. M. Fetzer (German and English department), 2d 
grade. 

Miss Sadie Ketcham, 2d and 1st grade-. 

Miss Leila M Lynn (German and English department), 1st grade. 

At the time the first school-house was built, 1837, the popula- 
tion of Saginaw probably did not exceed 200, and the one school- 
room furnished ample accommodation for the pupils. The hard 
times which ruined the business of the country about that time, 
greatly reduced the little settlement, and for several years growth 
was slow, and additional rooms were not needed. 

In 1848- , 9, however, population began to increase; people were 
flocking to the lumber regions, and the necessity of a larger educa- 
tional establishment became more and more apparent. 

In 1851-'2. with a population somewhat above 500, what was, in 
those days, a fine, large school-house, was erected on the south side 
of Court street, and nearly opposite the present highsehool. It 
was two-stories high, was divided midway of its length by a hall 
and double stair-case, and contained four rooms, two above and 
two below. It w r as planned to accommodate from 200 to 250 
pupils. It stood on its original site till after the erection of the 
Central high school, in 1867-'8, when it was removed to the Fourth 
ward, wdiere it continues to serve, in an enfeebled and dilapidated 
condition, the cause it was deemed at first to highly houor. 

In 1860 the population had increased to nearly 1,800, and the 
need of additional school room began to be felt. From that time 
till 1868 immigration to the Saginaw Valley was so rapid that it 
was almost impossible for those in charge of the educational affairs 



028 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

of Saginaw City to provide accommodations for the children desir- 
ing to be admitted to school. The School Board erected a new 
school every year or two, but not until 1868 was the demand fully 
met. 

The Sixth ward school-house was built in 1863. It is a two- 
story brick, cost about $3,000, and though plain outwardly, its 
two school-rooms furnish pleasant accommodations for 120 pupils. 
Students complete four years work in it before promotion to the 
Central school. 

In 1865-'6 a fine brick school-house was erected in the Third 
ward, at a cost of about $7,500, It is two-stories high, and con- 
tains two large and well-lighted rooms, with ample hall and cloak 
accommodations. Pupils from the Third ward remain in this 
building four years, or until they have completed the studies of the 
first four grades, when they are promoted to the fifth grade in the 
Central building. 

The First ward school, on what is known as the Pen oyer farm, 
is a frame building one story in height, and in style a cottage. It 
contains three school-rooms, and pupils there complete the work 
of six grades, before promotion to the Central school. It was 
erected in 1868, and, with a subsequent addition, made in 1872. 
cost about $3,oi hi. 

The Central or high-school building was erected in 1867-'S, 
and was at that time, perhaps, the finest and most commodious 
school-house in the State. It is built of brick, trimmed with cut 
stone, three-stories high, with a basement, and is crowned with a 
Mansard roof, above which rises a lofty bell tower. While no 
attempt at architectural display is apparent in its design, it is 
massive and imposing in its appearance, a noble monument to the 
wisdom and intelligence of the community, and a striking evidence 
of the willingness of the people to provide munificently for the 
education of their children. The building contains 27 school and 
recitation rooms, and is capable of seating about 800 pupils. All 
the grades are represented here, pupils remaining 12 years in the 
school before graduation. The building is now warmed by steam, 
thoroughly ventilated, and exceedingly well fitted for its purpose. 

The Fifth-ward building is the latest erected in the city. It 
occupies a whole square on Charles street, one block north of 
Court. It is a two-story frame building, contains four rooms, and 
will seat 200 pupils. It was built in 1872, at a cost of $5,000. At 
present but three of its rooms are needed for school purposes, and 
pupils are promoted from it on completing the work of the second 
grade. 

In 1870 the population of the city had reached 7,460, and its 
official school census showed 2,147 children of school age (from five 
to 21 years). The number of teachers employed was 25. The 
total enrollment of pupils for that year was 1,408, and the average 
daily attendance was about 800. 

In 1880 the population of the city was 10,650, and the school 
census showed 3,233 children of a school age. There were in the 



SAGINAW CITY. 



629 



employ of the board 35 teachers, including the superintendent and 
special teachers in penmanship, drawing and music (three in all). 
The total enrollment of pupils was 1,767, and the average daily at- 
tendance for the year was 1,233. 

By a special enactment of the Michigan Legislature, the Union 
School district of Saginaw was organized in 1865, and put under 
the exclusive control of a School Board of six trustees. Under 
this special act, the schools were carefully reorganized with three 
departments — primary, grammar and high school. Each of tiiese 
departments cover four school years, 12 years completing the full 
course. 

A course of study was prescribed for these 12 years, and the 
first class that completed this prescribed course, graduated from 
the high school in 1870. The folowing is a list of the graduates 
since that time: 



1870. 
Al>bie Briggs, 
.'<■•-• Brockway, 
Allie Burnham, 
George Canfield, 
William ( 'arpenter, 
Lucy Fish, 
Stella Gaylord, 
Georgie Green, 
Edward Stone, 
Rhoda Van Zile. 

1871. 
Sarah Burnbain, 
Helen Canfield, 
Oren Dunham, 
Nettie Ripley, 
Bruce Smith, 
Nettie Smith. 

1872. 
Ida West. 

L873. 
Millie Allen, 
Florence Chapin, 
Mitt ie Curtis, 
Louise Schick, 



Lucy L. Townsend. 

1874. 
L. B. Fonda, 
Charles Fowler, 
Roderick Iline, 
Lizzie Lewis, 
Julia Little, 
Eliza Loxley, 
Jennie Prentiss, 
Charles Smith, 
Emma Stoelker, 
Warren Trude. 

1875. 
Maggie Bernhard, 
Annie Bryant, 
Lizzie Frazer, 
Sadie Ketcham, 
Gertrude Lee, 
Cldoe Richards. 

1*76. 
Williain E. Crane, 
Charles Denison, 
William J. Schick. 

1877. 
A. H. Swarthout, 



Helen Little, 
Evelyn Smith, 
M. E. Stafford, 
Winifred Smith, 
Mary E. Culver, 
Laura Walker, 
Jessie Lee, 
Isaac B. Parsons, 
Jennie Meed, 
E. W. Ballentine, 
Charles E. Foote. 

1878. 
Edward A. Moye, 
Fannie C. Lewis. 
Carrie Redman, 
Hannah Smith, 
Sarah Lewis. 

1879. 
Mary A. Fowler, 
Mary E. Atwater, 
Minnie I. De Land, 
Sophie Seyffardt, 
Nettie Goldsmith, 
Leila M. Lyon, 
Ella Walker, 



Flora E. Guillott, 
Jessie M. Laylin. 

1880. 
Thomas S. Jerome, 
Leslie B. Hanchett, 
Alice M. Whitman, 
Violet G. Lewis, 
Emil Bernhanl, 
G. A. F. Schoenberg 
Egbert T. LoetHer, 
Melinda Ogilvie, 
Caro B. Whitney, 
Riley L. Crane. 

1881. 
Emil Bauer, 
Mathilda Becker, 
Carrie Beeman, 
Mamie M- Galium, 
H. A. T. Crippen, 
Carrie A. De Land, 
Langley S. Foote, 
Annie M. Holcomb, 
Catherine James, 
Jay Smith, jr., 
Hattie B. Whitman 



In concluding this sketch of the Saginaw schools mention should 
not be omitted of those who, in early days, gave time and at- 
tention to promote their welfare. Such service is, as a rule, with- 
out adequate reward, unless the consciousness of doing good, 
though unappreciated, work may be counted compensation. 

In the earlier years Hiram L. Miller, Dr. Davis, Hon. Jabez 
Sutherland, Dr. Michael C. T. Plessner were conspicuous. 

Later, lion. John Moore, William II. Sweet, Esq., Hon. Benton 
Hanchett, Jay Smith, Esq., Dr. I. N. Smith, Dr. J. H. Jerome 
and D. B. Ketcham (deceased) took an active and honorable 
part. 

The present board is comprised of the following gentlemen : 
President, Hon. David H. Jerome, Governor of Michigan ; Secre- 

38 



630 HISTORY' OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

tarv, Judge Otto Roeser; Treasurer, George L. Burrows; Trustees, 
D.'L. C. Eaton, A. T. Bliss and A.' W. Achard. 

In June, 1880, a committee of the Faculty of the University ot 
Michigan, invited by the School Board, visited the Saginaw City 
schools, and carefully examined into their organization and the 
methods and thoroughness of the instruction given. 

As a result, the school was at once recognized as a preparatory 
department of the University, and its graduates of 18S0 were ad- 
mitted to the University classes without examination at Ann 
Arbor. 

Connected with the school is a well selected library of over 
3,000 volumes, to which the students of the schools, as well as the 
citizens generally, have free access. Each year the Board ap- 
propriates $200 for the purchase of new books, and the number of 
volumes is steadily increasing. 

The high school is abundantly supplied with encyclopedias, 
general books of reference, chemical and philosophical apparatus, 
in fact everything to make the school what it really is — one of the 
best in Northern Michigan. 

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. 

The buildings devoted to secular and religious education by 
the Catholics of the city were commenced in 1872, and the school- 
house completed the same year, at a cost of $5,000. Three years 
later the convent and boarding school building was erected at an 
expense of over $5,000, and the town lots, upon which the structures 
were raised, purchased from Gotfried Chourner for a considera- 
tion of $2,500. The first building was opened for school purposes 
Feb. 10, 1873, with Miss Ellen McGee and Miss Laura Devlin as 
teachers. These ladies continued to instruct 120 pupils until the 
coming of the Sisters of Providence, in 1876, who formally 
opened the schools, September 4th, that year, with Rev. Sister 
Mary Matthew as Superioress. The number of children then in 
attendance was 200. In 1879 Rev. Sister Mary Cyrilla succeeded 
the first Superioress, who was removed to the more important 
charge of the Galesburg, 111., Convent. In July, 1880, Sister 
Cyrilla was appointed to the charge of the Port Huron Convent 
schools, and her position here conferred upon Rev. Sister Perolina, 
the present Superioress. This lady, with eight sisters, conduct 
the various classes of the schools. Instruction is offered in 
French, German and English literature, music, painting and draw- 
ing, with the ordinary English courses. The pupils boarding at 
the convent number 12; while the number in attendance on day 
school aggregates about 210. Boys over 12 years of age attend 
the city schools. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the members of the Roman Catho- 
lic Church of this city sustain these schools, and also pay a share 
of the taxation for common-school purposes, they claim a school 
property valued at $15,000. The system of education is religio- 



SAGINAW cm . 631 



secular, and appears to be attended with all the high results whicl 
the supporters of a liberal denominational education claim. 



THE CITY WATEK WORKS. 

The building of the water works was entered upon in 1872, and 
completed the same year. The estimated total expense of build- 
in-- and machinery is $150,000. The works are under control of 
the Board of Water Commissioners, with a superintendent and 
engineer in charge. 

The Holly system is in use. There are five engines — fourpiston 
and one rotary — employed, with a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons 
per 24 hours, ordinary pressure, and 6,000,000 gallons, high 
presssure. There are two tubular boilers 5x16 feet. The water 
supply is drawn from the center of the Saginaw river, where the 
channel is 23 feet deep. 

The Water Board is composed as follows: — Thomas L. 
.laekson, President; D. C. Dixon, Secretary; I. L. Adams, David 
Crowley and A. W. Achard, members. The officers of the works 
are: F. G. Clifton, Chief Engineer; Robert McLain, Asst. Engineer; 
Antoine Anchette, Superintendent; John W. Brown and August 
Kerp, Firemen. 

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 

was organized April 1, 1881, as a paid department of the munic- 
ipality. Previously it was composed of a chief engineer, with 
first and second assistants, and a corps of nine men. The equip- 
ment consisted of a steam tire engine, hook and ladder wagon, one 
double hose-cart and six hand hose-carts. The engine is seldom 
brought into use. as the splendid system of waterworks lends a 
sufficient supply of water to combat lire. 

The department house was built in 1869. The city has one paid 
department composed of six men, two horses, and four volunteer 
hose-cart companies. House No. 1 is located on Hamilton street; 
No. 2, corner Hamilton & Farley; No. 3, Water street; and No. 4, 
at Penoyer farm. At the central building is a steam engine, one 
of Silsby*s largest size, bought in 1867, at a cost of $6,000. There 
i- one hook and ladder truck kept at House No. 1. The present 
department was organized April 1, 1881. There are five firemen 
receiving $35 per month, a driver who receives $40 and house- 
rent, and chief and assistant engineers. The department is sup- 
plied with :!.4<»(i feet of hose. The whole is under the charge of 
Chief Robert WHey, now serving his third year as chief, and his 
20th in connection with the city fire companies. Telephone at- 
tachments exist from the waterworks to the central house. There 
is a watch from 8 p. m. to ti a. m. in the tower. The roll is as fol- 
lows: Robert Wiley, Chief Engineer; Angus Mclntyre, Asst. 
Chief; John Frederick, Fireman; James Latiair, Asst. Fireman; 
Andrew Flieges. Frank Vondett, John LaMott; Benj. Smith, 
I driver. 



632 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

SOCIETIES. 

The Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, (rood Templars. 
Patrons of Husbandry, Workingmen's Aid Society, Teutonia 
Turn-verein, with literary and musical societies form the organ- 
ized social circles of the city. It is unnecessary to inquire into 
the objects of many of these associations. The secret societies 
have many conscientious opponents, even as it is evident they 
have a large number of supporters. There is no doubt whatever 
regarding an existing disposition among the members of such 
societies to do good to one another, to live within a family circle. 
Only when the secret orders depart from the social tie which binds 
them, for the purpose of entering the political arena, at the bidding' 
of some influential individual, can danger ensue; but after all, 
such a course could not now be followed within the Republic. A 
knowledge of what man owes to himself is too extended here to 
permit any one man to lead a society; thus the dangers which secret 
societies breed abroad are unknown here, and this being so, there 
cannot exist an objection to fraternal organizations. 

THE MASONIC SOCIETY 

comprises Joppa Chapter, No. 63; Germania Lodge, No. 79; Sag? 
inaw Valley Lodge, No. 154; and Apollo Lodge. Of these Masonic 
circles, the Germania is the oldest, being organized in Dr. Pless- 
ners house, March, 1854. The first officers were M. C. T. 
Plessner, W. M. ; Count Solmes, S. W; and G. Liskow, J. W. The 
officers, with five members, organized this lodge and held their 
meetings in the lodge room at the corner of Cass and Hamilton 
streets. Dr. Plessner was Wor. Master from 1854 to 1862; Otto 
Roeser, 1863-4; Dr. Plessner, 1865-'Y4, Count Solmes, 1875-'6; 
From 1877 to the present time the W. Masters have been Henry 
Barnhard, A. W. Achard and Peter Herrick. 

The officers of the lodge at present are: W. M., Peter Herig; S. 
W., Charles Moye; J. W., Mathias Becker; S. D., Charles Zoeller: 
J. D., Fred Wei'der; T., Emil Bottke; Sec, L. M. Fetzer; Treas.. 
Dr. Theodore Krause. 

The Saginaw Yalley Lodge was organized under dispensation 
Feb. 19, 1864, with D. M. Bennett, W. M. ; William McBratnie. 
S. W. ; and T. L. Jackson, J. W. A charter was granted by the 
Grand Lodge, June 13, 1S65, under which the same officers were 
installed. The present officers are : W. M., R. E. Wardell; S. W., 
Charles A. Lee; J. W., E. D. Shader; S. D., Henrv F. Allen; 
J. D., A. A. Allen; Sec, J. Grant McPherson; T., H. \Y. 
Whitney. 

Apollo Lodge, No. 348, was organized in 1877 with Willard' 
W. Knight, W. M. ; Byron G. Stark, S. W. ; Reuben W. Andrus. 
J. W. ; Oliver P. Barber, Sec; Nathan S. Wood, Treas.; Thomas 
M. James, S. D. ; Charles E. Wheeler. J. D. Present officers in- 
clude : W. M., De Witt C. Dixson; S. W., Jira S. Martin; J. W... 



SAGINAW CITY. 633 

B. J. Birney; Sec, Chester Brown; Treas., X. S. Wood; S. D., 
John A. Gibson;J. D., Edward I. Peck; T., H. W. Whitney. 

Mt. Moriah Lodge was chartered in 1857, with A. S. Gaylord, 
W. M. 

Joppa Chapter, No. 63, R. A. M., was organized Jan. 13, 1869. 
The present officers are : II. P., G. lv. Grout; lv., Charles A. Lee; 
s.. DeWitl C. Dixson; C. of II., Frank R. Ganschow; P. S., Geo. 
II. Durand; It. A. C, John Ballentine; M. of 3d Veil, Jira S. 
Martin: M. of 2d Veil, E. S. Peck; M. of 1st Veil, N. W. Wright; 
Treas., B. B. Bartlett; Sec. W. W. Knight; Sent.. H. W. 
Whitney. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

This order originated here with the organization of Achilles 
Lodge, No. 15., Jan. 7, 1874. The officers for 1881 are as follows: 
P. <'.. C. D. Little; C. C, Robert J. Birney; V. C, Benjamin 
Geer; M. ofE., Thomas L. Jackson; M. of F., Racine Purmort; 
K. of \i. & S., C. M. Beach; P., J. T. Burnham. Section 144, 
Endowment Rank. K. of P., was organized here; but has ceased 
to exist. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS 

was organized here Feb. 13, 1864, when Saginaw Lodge, No. 172, 
was instituted. 

THE ODD FELLOWS SOCIETY 

comprises Saginaw Lodge, No. 42; O-saw-wa-bon, No. 14; Star 
Lodge, No. 156; Washington Encampment, No. 19; and Valley 
Encampment, No. 2<>. The first lodge was organized Feb. 9, 
1849, by C. D. Little, Special D. D. G. M., when the following 
named officers were elected: W. L. P. Little, N. G. ; J. S. Wood- 
ruff. V. G.. J. B. Chamberlain. Sec; and J. Bookstaver, Treas- 
urer. The officers of the lodge for 1881 are: N. G., Lewis Moore; 
V. G.. Stephen H. Lover; Sec, F. O. Huntington: Treas., Peter 
Lane. 

The Star Lodge was the second circle of Odd-Fellowship organ- 
ized in the city, with Charles Move its first presiding officer, or N. 
G., 1853. Tne lodge was reorganized in 1872. Present officers: 
N. (... Benry Martin; V. G.. Phineas Wiggins; Treas., Alfred 
Reeves; Sec, Charles Excell. 

I >-saw-wa-bon Lodge was organized June 2, 1855. 

Washington Encampment was instituted May 9, 1866, by M. W. 
<t. P. Dennis. The encampment comprised 30 members, among 
when were A. G. Van Way, C. P.; W. McEath, F. P.; D. H. 
Buel, S. W.; A. O. T. Eaton, J. W. ; B. Rice, Treasurer, and A. 
K. Etockwith, Scribe. 

Valley Encampment, No. 2<>, was organized May 10, 1866. 



034 HISTORY OF SAIJ1NAW COUNTY. 



KNIGHTS OF HONOR. 

The only lodge of this order in the city is the " Home Relief,*' 
No. 836, organized Dec. 28, 1877. The officers are: L. Adams, 
D. ; A. A. Allen, V. D. ; John P. Schwann. Ass't. D. ; George 
Laidley, R. ; David McLeod, F. R. ; R. C. Seeney, Treas. ; George 
Hogan, Chaplain: O. E. Eastman, G. ; A. Ogilvie, Guar.; John 
Milligan, Sent. ; Ira A. Boxmting, P. D. 

KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR. 

This association was organized May 17, 18S<), presumably for ben- 
evolent purposes. The officers are elected every six months. The 
society's official list for June, 1881, is as follows: P. Robert Wiley, 
P. ; Eliza Ahrens, V. P. ; L. M. Fetzer, Sec. : Geo. Hogan, Fin. 
Sec; H. Runnenberg, Treas.; Mrs. Mary Hogan, Chaplain; 
Laura Benjamin, Guide; A. Ogilvie, Sent.; C. G. Benjamin, P. 
P. ; Dr. E. A. Herig, Medical Examiner. 

ASS( ICIATED VETERANS. 

A meeting of veterans, held June 13, 1881, resulted in an or- 
ganization to be known as the ' k East Saginaw Veterans." P. H. 
Warren was chosen president of the society, and C. D. Ball, secre- 
tary and treasurer for one year. After remarks by the President, 
and the appointment of several committees, members proceeded 
to choose their officers to command the military company, with the 
following result : 

Captain — D. D. Keeler. First Corporal — C. Walker. 

First Lieutenant — C. D. Ball. Second Corporal — Geo. Seamore. 

Second Lieutenant — D. W. Osborh. Third Corporal — T. Divine. 

Orderly Sergeant — R. Yerick. Fourth Corporal — J Dawson. 

First Duty Sergeant — William Marshall. Fifth Corporal — I. S. Allen. 

Second Duty Sergeant — Lew Delivan. Sixth Corporal — Samuel Snyder. 

Third Duty Sergeant — P. Montgomery. Seventh Corporal — B. Brawley. 

Fourth Duty Sergeant — Geo. Williams. Eighth Corporal— S. M. Chase. 

The several officers were chosen unanimously; over 10 names 
were enrolled, and many others expressed an intention to join at 
the next meeting. 

THE TEUTONIA TUKN-VEREIN 

was organized in 1868. Since that period the society has made 
great progress. The Teutonia Hall on Fayette street was erected, 
a valuable library collected, gardens laid off, and everything done 
to advance the interests of the organization. 

The officers of the society at present are: Pres., Emil Schoene- 
berg; Vice Pres., Thos. L. Jackson; Sec, Herman Runneberg; 
Financial Sec, T. Lilienfeld; Treasurer, C. E. Brenner; Directors 



SAGINAW cm. 63o 

—Library, Otto Roeser; Dramatic, Albert Fuchs; Singing, Henry 
( Miller: Turning and Kindergarten, Constantine Watz; Wirts- 
ehaft, Henry Steller. 

THE SAGINAW REFORM CLUB 

is presided over by Stewart 15. Williams, with Xathan S. Wood, 
Secretary, and Geo. S. Baker, Treasurer. 

ARBEITER 0NTERST1 ETZUNG8 HEREIN 

was organized April 9, 1871. The officers for L881-'2 are named 
asfollows: Pres., Charles E. Brenner: V. Pres., Charles Burgo- 
mei6ter; R. S., RudolphKem; C. S., Ignatz Rimmele; Treas., 
William Wigfall; Physician, Dr. Theodore Krause: Trustees, 
Kmil s. Schemberg, William Lange, Theodore ^Miller. 

GERMAN WORKINGMEN'S AID SOCIETY 

was established in 1871. Since that period the organization has 
been well sustained and doubtless rendered much good to the mem- 
bers. The officers elected at the annual meeting in April, 1881, 
are as follows: President, F. Louden: Vice President, Ernst 
Eggert; Secretary, Car] Warner; Corresponding Secretary, Conrad 
IVy: Treasurer, Christ Henning; Secretary Sick Committee, Henry 
Butenschoen; Trustees, Peter Gross, No. 2; John Qualman, Chas. 
Hubner; Banner Bearer, Charles Hillman; Sick Committee. John 
Boic. Andrew Holden, John Koch, No. 2; Doctor, Dr. Mass- 
bacher. 

ANCIENT ORDER OF L'NITED WORKMEN. 

This organization is one of the most recent additions to the 
benevolent circles of the city. Its present officers are : AT. W., 
S. S. Perkins,; Sec, R. J. Birney; Treas., W. W. Knight. 

THE WAH-WAU-SUMS (a BOAT CLUB) 

were organized Dec. L2, L868. The first officers were: President, 
L. Buitows, jr.; V. P.. G. A. Lyon; Secretary. E. N". Briggs; 
Treasurer, G. B. Grout. Their first important boating affair was 
in the X. \\. A. B. A. at Detroit in 1*7"'. when they rowed in the 
six-oared barge race, making 1.1 miles in ll min. 45 sec., and won 
the first prize. The regatta at < >conomowoc offered to these oarsmen 
another opportunity, which they availed themselves of. At the 
fourth annual regattaof the N. W. A. B. A. Association, held at 
Erie, Pa.. -Inly 10 and 11, 1872, the Wah-wah-sums won the cham- 
pion race for six-oared shell-. At Toledo, in .Inly. L873, they won 
the champion race, and in the aquatic contests of 1 S 7J added to 
their honors. The career of the club has been exceptionally brill- 



<'>•"<<'> HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

iant, and there is no reason to suppose that it will not con- 
tinue to retain its high repute. The present officers are : Edward 
I. Peck, President; R. J. Birney, Secretary; Henry Smith, Cap- 
tain; L. A. Burroughs, 1st Coxswain; E. J. Fisk, 2d Coxswain. 

THE SAGINAW CITY LIGHT INFANTRY 

completed its organization March 10, 1859, and on April 25 of 
the same year, appeared on parade fully equipped, under the fol- 
lowing named officers: Captain, Louis Franke; 1st Lieut., Henry 
Miller; 2nd Lieut., Hugo Weisner; 3d Lieut. Theodore Sceurus; 
1st Sergeant, Bernhard Rice; 2d, Wm. Comport; 3d, Jos. Schaef- 
necker; 4th, Peter Vrogman; 1st Corporal, G. Ditnar; 2d, Will- 
iam Lange; 3d, Anton Raab; 1th, Henry Flantau; Flag-bearer, 
Charles Stillrecht; Treasurer, Charles Miller; Secretary, C. A. 
Batlike. 

THE SAGINAW CITY LITERARY ASSOCIATION 

was organized Jan. 11, 1858, with J. G. Sutherland, Pres. ; A. S- 
Gay lord, V. P; O. L. Spalding, Sec; C. D. Little, Treas. ; and an 
Executive Committee, composed of W. H. Sweet, G. B. Bene- 
dict and J. B. White. 

The Young Men's Society was organized in 1868; the Saginaw 
City Musical Association, in 1866; the Harmonia Society, in 1873; 
the Choral Union, in 1875; the Patrons of Husbandry, Saginaw 
Valley Grange, in 1875; and the Ladies' Relief Association, reor- 
ganized in 1871 to lend its great aid toward the sufferers from the 
Chicago fire and the Northern forest fires. These, with perhaps 
a few other benevolent or social associations, complete the list of 
such organizations in this city. 

OAKWOOI) CEMETERY. 

An act of the State Legislature, approved April 13, 1871, con- 
firmed the title of the City of Saginaw to the cemetery property 
described as follows: 

Bounded on the northeast side thereof by Emerson street, and 
on the west side by fractional block seventy-seven, the end of 
Wayne street, block 81, the end of King street, fractional block 
80, and Queen street, according to the plat of said city of Sagi- 
naw; on the south by lands owned by Barnard & Binder, and on 
the easterly side by the bayou adjacent thereto. 

The act further authorized the council of the city, by a vote ot 
two-thirds of the aldermen elect, to sell said cemetery or burying 
ground whenever the council may deem it proper; and the mayor 
and recorder, on such sale being authorized and approved, were 
authorized to make and execute all necessary conveyance therefor. 

The cemetery of Oakwood is situated three miles from the city, 
in the midst of a beautiful country. Though comparatively new, 



SAGINAW CITY. 637 

it boasts of beautiful groves, magnificent monuments, driveways, 
parterres, and all the accompaniments of an old and well-kept 
cemeten . 

tiii i.Mnsri;n> <ii' Tin-: CITY. 

The Lumber mills of Saginaw City constitute an industrial center 
of the greatest importance, and one of which any city might be 
proud. During the manufacturing season the mills offer employ- 
ment to hundreds of industrious workmen, who, in turn, contrib- 
ute to the well-being of the entire community. The lumber con- 
cern- of the city stretch along the western bank of the river for 
many miles, forming-, with their kindred salt works, what may be 
termed a continuous four-mile line of wealth-distributors. The 
machinery, buildings and troops of busy men, in connection with 
the industries, form a scene as significant of great enterprise as 
may be presented. 

The salt wells and salt blocks of Saginaw City form the great 
sine qua non of prosperity. Without the salt well, the manufacture 
of lumber would become so unreinunerative that it is probable the 
greater industry would fall away. Et is stated on good authority 
that the manufacture of salt in conjunction with the lumber mill, 
i- the only possible means of rendering the latter profitable, be- 
cause it is made a primary object by the owners to render the 
manufacture of salt so extensive as not only to pay the expenses 
incurred in its production, but also to meet the running expenses 
of the lumber mill. Thus the lumber industry is strengthened, it 
not actually sustained, by salt industry, and both are carried on in 
harmony, to the great good of the city. 

WILLIAMS BROTHEKS' SAW-MILL. 

The firm of Williams Brothers, with Geo. F. Williams as princi- 
pal, succeeded the first lumber manufacturing firm organized in the 
valley, viz.: G. IK. E. S. and Harvey Williams. The old mill, 
noticed hitherto, was destroyed by fire July 4, L854. Four years 
previously Gardner D. Williams erecteda saw-mill on the site ot 
the present concern of William- Bros. Thiswas enlarged and im- 
proved from time to time, provided with a circular and a muley 
saw, a lath machine and edger, and rendered capable of cutting 
3,000,000 lath and i;,oimmmhi feet of lumber per season. This 
second mill was burned .Inly 30, 1*74. The -'Little Mill," built 
by Geo. V. Williams in fsiii;. ran a circular saw. a lath machine 
and an edger. capable of producing 2,250,000 lath and 4,000,000 
feet of lumber per season. In 1874 the present concern was built, 
new machinery placed therein in 1 s74-'r>. and formally opened at the 
beginning of the season ot' L875. The machinery was manufactured 
at East Saginaw and is of the most approved description. The 
steam is generated in six boilers, the engine is 640-horse power, 
capable of cutting annually 14,000,000 feet of lumber. The com- 



638 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

pany may be termed the pioneer lumber firm of the Valley. Of 
the original company, formed in 1834, Harvey Williams' alone 
remains in Saginaw. 

A. W. WRIGHT & CO.'S L. & S. WORKS. 

The first mill was erected in 1853 by Rolifson, Hatch & Co. In 
1856 the concern failed, when it passed into the hands of the 
Farmers and Mechanics' Bank of Burlington, Yt. In 1859 the 
property was purchased by Miller & Paine, who continued to 
operate the mill until 1864, when it became the property of Paine 
& Wright. In February, 1865, J. H. Pearson, of Chicago, pur- 
chased Mr. Paine's interest and associated with A. W. Wright. 
The old mill was burned June 13, 1865, when the "Big Mill," 
located at the northern junction of the J., L. & S. P. R, with Water 
street, was erected. The machinery comprises seven boilers, four 
engines, one large gang, one small gang, one circular, two edgers, 
tour slab saws. .Its capacity for sawing is from 23,000,000 to 25,- 
000,000 feet of lumber per season, giving employment to TO men 
in manufacture of lumber, lath, staves and heading. 

THE SHINGLE MILL 

is among the most extensive of the kind in the State. It is pro- 
vided with two Hall shingle machines, one sapper, one drag saw, 
one bolter, one cut-off saw, six rippers, and employs 20 men and 
boys. 

a. w. wright's planing mill 

was erected in 1870 by R. II. Bennett & Co. W. G. Vananken 
is the present superintendent. The machinery used is from the 
shops of W. A. Wood, of Boston, and consists of two boilers, one 
70-horse power engine, one 25-horse power engine, three 
planers and matchers, one endless belt single surfacer, one 
30-inch double surfacer. one re-saw, one siding saw, one 
power feed edger. together with new machinery added May 
16, 1881, comprising a single surfacer taking a board 27 
inches wide and having an endless bed, and a 30-inch double 
surfacer machine with eight feed rollers. This is a No. 1, and the 
largest made by the company, and larger than any other used in 
the Valley. Either machine will dress timber of any thickness, 
from half an inch to 10 inches. The No. 1 machine weighs 11,000 
pounds and is worth $2,300. The Curran & Wolf's patent lumber 
drier is used. This consists of three large kilns in which the lum- 
ber is placed, and dried by means of exhaust steam. With this 
establishment is connected a sorting yard eight acres in extent, 
with sidings from J., L. & S. R. R. 



saginaw city. 639 

n. & a. harnard's lumber mills. 

These mills were erected in 1867 by the Saginaw Salt Manu- 
facturing Co. The machinery is all modern, driven by four 
powerful engines. Eight large boilers supply the steam. The 
season's products are 17,500,000 feet of lumber and 15,000,000 
shingles. 

.1. H. PEARSON & SON'S LUMBER MILL. 

This is one ot the principal industries of the Valley. The build- 
ings and machinery have been constructed with special regard to 
adaptability. The gang and circular saws are driven by powerful 
engines, which render the capacity of the mill about 20,000,000 
feet of lumber annually. The season's product is estimated at 
16.000,000 feet of sawn lumber. 

WYLIE brothers' bhtngle mills 

were erected in 1866 by J. M. Wylie & Co. The product of the 
mill is estimated at 30.000,000 shingles annually. The machinery 
comprises the AValker and Rochester shingle machines, powerful 
engines, with all the varied mechanism attached to the shingle 
factory. In addition to their manufacture the firm take out 
6,000,000 feet of logs yearly from their timber lands. 

I). HARDIN & COMPANY'S PLANING MILL 

was erected in 1869. The building is a two-story brick, admirably 
adapted to its present use. The machinery comprises single and 
double surfacers, a planer, matcher and the hundred other accom- 
paniments of such an establishment — all constructed at East Sag- 
inaw. The principal manufactures consist of doors, sash, blinds, 
molding?, etc., for the home market. 

HARDIN, PLUMMER A: c'O.'s LUMBER MILLS 

were erected in 1801 by Hale & Stinson. The mill was enlarged 
in 1869, further improved in 1872, and remodeled throughout in 
l^ v i». The machinery is all modern. Six boilers supply steam to 
three powerful engines. The annual product of sawn lumber is 
16,000,000 feet, employing in its manufacture 42 men. This con- 
cern, like the salt-works, was operated by W. S. Green & Son until 
purchased recently by the present operators. 

DAVID M«' I. Loo's SHINGLE MILL. 

This factory was built in L876 for David Me Leod, and supplied 
with the most approved machinery, ft is located on Water street. 



'640 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

at the foot of Monroe. Its appearance is entirely unassuming; 
but enter the building, and a scene of busy life is presented as 
instructive as it is satisfactory. The intricate, interesting machin- 
ery of the shingle mill is driven by a powerful engine. HalFs 
patent machine is used, which, with all its varied mechanical atten- 
dants, form as it were a little working world of themselves. The 
annual product of this factory is set down at 6,000,000 shingles. 
Its capacity is stated to be 40,000 shingles per day. or over 
14,000,000 per annum. 

swift's lumber mills. 

These mills were built in 1858 by Mr. Levitt, who operated 
them for some years. Alexander Swift purchased the concern, 
enlarged it, and ultimately rebuilt it. The machinery is of the 
finest description, all driven by three engines, to which steam is 
supplied by seven boilers. Both the gang and circular saws are in 
use, and are capable of sawing 12,000,000 feet of lumber per 
season. 

C. K. EDDY & So.\. 

The building known as the Chicago Lumber Mill was erected 
in 1853, by Fred. Babcock for a Chicago lumber firm. It is the 
oldest mill now in operation in the Valley of the Saginaw. For 
many years it was operated by Mr. Babcock, who purchased the 
entire interest of the original owners. He disposed of his 
interests subsequently, and after witnessing the advent of many 
new proprietors, the old mill passed into the hands of the present 
owners, C. K. Eddy & Son. The machinery is driven by two en- 
gines, and is capable of cutting 7,000,000 feet of lumber annually. 

SAGINAW BARREL FACTORY. 

This is, perhaps, one of the most interesting manufacturing 
concerns in the State. It does not claim to excel in the heavy 
work of an ordinary saw-mill ; yet in connection with the works, 
the saw-mill takes a very prominent part. 

The factory is a brick building, three-stories high, 100x150 
feet. With additional shops the buildings may be said to extend 
360 feet, fronting on the bayou. 

This important industry was established in 1872 by a company 
ot Saginaw capitalists, with a capital stock of $75,000, increased 
subsequently to $125,000. 

The engine room is located on the first floor, and contains the 
principal engine, Wm. Wright" 8 Patent, of 180-horse power, 42-in. 
stroke; the Buckeye 'Engine. 100-horse power; five boilers, black- 
smith shop, the machinery for the preparation of heavy lumber 
and the Durkee sawing machine. 



SAGINAW CITY. 641 

( )n the second floor is a room where the manufacture of axle- 
grease boxes is carried on; the zinc room, where a boy cuts, daily, 
350 dozen of zinc plates used in the manufacture of Wilson's 
wash-board; the zinc-crimping room, step-ladder factory, etc., etc. 

The manufacture of pails, wooden measures for grain, curtain 
poles, finishing and varnishing, etc., are carried on on the 3d floor. 
The articles manufactured include measures, tobacco drums, pails, 
gum boxes, cheese boxes, wash-boards, bail, salt and grease boxes, 
and curtain rollers. The factory gives employment to 150 men, 
together with using all the labor-saving machinery found to apply 
in the manufacture of these articles. Messrs. Ballentine, Braley, 
Wm. Hinder, C. A. Lee were among the first officers of the com- 
pany that inaugurated this important factory. 

A. W. WRIGHT .V- CO'S SALT WORKS. 

The salt works operated by the company comprise one steam 
block, 72x168 feet; one do. , 24x100 feet; sheds, 72x80 feet, with 
drill house, etc. It is supplied with six grainers, two settlers, 
four vats, employs 10 men and has a capacity of 200 barrels per 
day. There are three salt wells, having a depth of 740 ft. each, 
the first of which was bored in 1874. These engines are used for 
jiumping brine. The w T orks are well ordered throughout, system 
is evidenced in everything pertaining thereto, and a great business 
progresses with a surprising regularity. 

x. a.- a. barnabd's salt works. 

One of the wells of this company was bored in the spring of 
1860, being the second salt well sunk in the Valley. In the manu- 
facture of salt the company use only the best machinery. The 
wells are worked constantly, four powerful engines being used for 
that purpose. The entire annual product is set down at 82,000 
barrels. 

WILLIAMS BROTHERS' SALT WORKS. 

The first well of this firm was bored by Thompson & Paine, 
above the saw-mill built by the company in 1866, on the A. B. 
Paine estate. The boring was continued to a depth of 890 feet. 
Recently the Williams Brothers have sunk two wells, which, with 
the first, yield sufficient brine to produce 40,000 barrels of salt 
annually. In connection with these wells, as with their lumber 
mills, modern machinery is in use. 

HARDIN, PLUMMER & COMPANY'S SALT WORKS. 

The first salt well sunk under the direction of this firm was 
bored by Hale & Stinson to a depth of 830 feet, in 1861. Since 
that time two wells have been bored. These wells, with the lumber 



64:2 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

mills, soon became the property of W. S. & Charles H. Green, and 
continued to be operated by these manufacturers and their partners 
until 1880, when their interest in the property was purchased by 
Hardin, Plummer & Co. The kettle and steam processes of evap- 
oration are in use. The annual salt product amounts to 35,000 
barrels. 

swift's salt works. 

In 1862 a salt well was bored near Levitt's lumber mill, which 
reached a depth of 800 feet, and yielded a full supply of brine. 
Two wells have been bored since that period, yielding a manufact- 
ured product of 40,000 barrels. The steam power utilized in the 
saw-mill is extended to the force-pumps, and the exhaust steam 
utilized in one of the salt blocks. This industry gives employment 
to a large corps of workmen, mechanics and clerks. 

J. H. PEARSON & SON'S SALT WORKS. 

The precise date of sinking the first well in connection with 
these works, has not been ascertained. The fact alone remains that 
the quantity and quality of the brine, together with the mode of 
manufacture, enables the proprietors to manufacture about 30,000 
barrels annually. 

D. HARDIN & COMPANY'S SALT WORKS. 

The boring of this well to a depth of 800 feet was completed 
in 1874. The steam power of the planing mill is extended to the 
works. The annual product reaches 10,000 barrels. 

WYLIE BROTHERS' SALT WORKS. 

The first well was bored under the direction of this company in 
1877. The quality of the brine is excellent, and the facilities for 
converting it into salt complete. The product of the works 
averages, annually, 30,000 barrels. 

SAGINAW BARREL COMPANY'S SALT WORKS. 

This salt well, bored to a depth of 811 feet, is worked by a rod 
795 feet in length. The salt blocks comprise cisterns with a 
capacity of 200 barrels; warm settlers, through which 300 feet of 
five-inch steam pipe run; grainers 2 feet 10 inches wide, and 200 
feet long; storage bins to hold 4,000 barrels in bulk. The quantity 
of salt manufactured for agricultural purposes is large, and meets 
with a ready sale at $3 per 2,000 lbs. 



- V-INAW CITY. 643 

THE COMMERCIAL FLOURING MILLS, ETC. 

These mills were erected in 1>>62, and are now operated by Brand 
& Hardin. With the salt works of this firm the concern forms 
one of the busiest manufactories in the Valley. The product of 
shingles per annum, reaches *>,5'j0,000 ; of flour 4,000 barrels, and 
of salt 7,000 barrels. Manufacturing economy is reduced to its 
tinest point here. The steam power of the flour mill is utilized 
in the shingle mill, in working the force-pumps, and in the evapo 
ration of the watery elements of the brine. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Sturtevant, Green, Plummer & Co.'s lumber mill and salt 
works. — The mills and wells of this firm extend over nine acres, 
with 600 feet river frontage. The name of this firm changed 
recently, owing to its members entering into new enterprises or 
partnerships. 

The Forest Valley Salt and Lumber Co. was organized in 1864. 
The name of this association of salt and lumber manufacturers 
has also been changed. 

Heather A: Allison's saw-mill and saltworks, inaugurated in 
1S65, are now operated by other parties. 

Paine. Wheelock & Co., Mack, Schmidt & Kuhl, I. B. White & 
Co., Boothroyd, Gooding & Co., Saginaw Valley Salt and Lumber 
Manufacturing Co., Nicholas Chapman, Hale & Stinson. all exten- 
sively engaged in the manufacture of salt in this city in 1864, 
have either retired from business or allowed their names to be 
grouped among the members of joint-stock companies. 

The names of A. W. Thompson, S. Coleman and others engaged 
in the lumber-mill business so extensively in 1863, no longer 
appear upon the list of Saginaw City mill-owners. 

BANKS. GEO. L. BURROWS & CO. 

This well-known banking house was established in 1862 by Geo. 
L. Burrows. In 1863 he directed the building of the first brick 
house erected on Court street, and on its completion established 
his office therein. In 1869 he associated with him Fred. H. Potter. 
Since that period the business of the concern has extended itself, 
and continues to grow in popular estimation. 

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK. 

The First National Bank of Saginaw was established in 1870, with 
J. E. Shaw, President, and S. Palmer, Cashier. He was succeeded 
by A. F. R. Braley. who died in August, 1880, when Will- 



644 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

iam Powell was offered the position. The capital stock was 
$200,000. 

The following exhibit, published under date of May 9, 1881, 
relates to the condition of this institution: 

RESOURCES. 

Loans and discounts $753,800 62 

Overdrafts 59 52 

U. S. bonds to secure circulation ."iO.OOO 00 

Due from other national banks 4,498 76 

Due from State banks and bankers :>,288 94 

Furniture and fixtures 3,000 00 

Current expenses and taxes paid 5,226 14 

Checks and other cash items 5,000 00 

Bills of other banks 5,147 00 

Fractional paper currency, nickels and pennies 156 21 

Specie "3,166 05 

Legal-tender notes 10,100 00 

Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (5 per cent of circulation). . . . 2,250 00 

Total $915,693 24 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital stock paid in $200,000 

Surplus fund 50,000 00 

Undivided profits 21,827 53 

National bank notes outstanding 45,000 00 

Individual deposits, subject to check 196,370 98 

Demand certificates of deposit 347,866 60 

Due to other national banks 15,214 92 

Due to State banks and bankers 820 99 

Notes and bills re-discounted 38,592 22 

Total ..$915,693 24 

The officers of the bank at present are: A. W. Wright, Pres- 
ident; C. W. Wells, Y. P.; Wm. Powell, Cashier; Smith 
Palmer, Assistant Cashier; C. W. Wells, R. Kimball and Gurdon 
Corning, Directors. 

citizens' national banking company 

was established in October, 1830, under the law of the State, with 
a capital of $100,000. Daniel Hardin is President of the bank; 
Lewis Penoyer, V. P.; D. W. Driggs, Cashier; D. Hardin, C. H. 
Green and Benton Hanchett, Directors. The following is a state- 
ment of its financial condition at the close of the fiscal year ending 
May, 1881: 



SAGINAW CITY. 645 

RESOURCES. 

Loans and discounts $195,496 87 

Overdrafts 36 60 

I S .In >nds to secure cire i hit inn 50,000 00 

Due from approved reserve agents 3,449 52 

Due from other national banks 1,285 27 

Real estate, furniture and fixtures 8,321 05 

Currenl expenses and taxes paid 141 51 

Premiums paid 4,500 00 

( Ihecks and other cash items ,$ 2,545 18 

Bills of other hanks 13,908 00 

Fractional paper currency, nickels and pennies 144 34 

Specie 11,257 35 

Legal-tender notes 12,400 00 

Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (5 per cent of circu- 
lation) 2,250 00 

Total $305,735 69 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital stock paid in $100,000 00 

Surplus fund 1,500 00 

Undivided profits 897 01 

National hank notes outstanding. 45,000 00 

Dividends unpaid 1,220 00 

Individual deposits subject tn check $115,371 88 

Demand certificates of deposit , 40,454 96 

Due to other national banks 909 63 

Due to State banks and bankers '. 382 21 

Total $305,735 69 

HOTELS. 

The Taylor House was built on the site of old Fort Saginaw, 
in 1866, by AVm. H. Taylor. The structure is 120 feet long by 60 
in depth, forming one of the great business blocks of the city, as 
well as one of the leading hotels of the State. The hotel was 
closed for some months in 1879. It was reopened Jan. 19, 1880 
by the proprietors, L. Burrows, jr., & Co. The building contains 
80 well-lighted, airy rooms, with dining-room 42x50 feet, parlors 
and office. The management of the hotel is creditable alike to> 
the employers and employed. 

There are !1 other hotels in the city, each claiming a particular 
patronage. Among them the Kirby House is considered the best. 
This hotel was erected in 1868, by W. K. Kirby, and is capable of 
accommodating 60 guests. 

SAGINAW CITY STREET RAILWAY. 

This railroad corporation was organized in 1864, with a capital 
< >f s.)( ».000. The same year a track was laid from a point on Hamil- 
ton street, south of the Taylor House, Saginaw City, to the inter 

39 



64c6 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

section of Genesee and Washington streets, East Saginaw, a 
distance of 2f miles. The equipment of this road is good and the 
order of business regular. The capital stock has been increased 

to $75,000. 

THE SAGINAW GAS-LIGHT COMPANY. 

was organized in 1867, and incorporated in 1868. The lighting of 
the city with gas was begun in November, 1868. Since that 
period the consumption averages 6,000,000 cubic feet annually. 
Alexander Swift may be considered the projector of this important 
enterprise; he now holds the controlling interest in the concern. 

WELLS, STONE & CO. 

Among the great wholesale houses of the State, there is not one, 
erhaps, which carries on a more extensive trade than that of 
"ells, Stone & Co., of Saginaw City. Established in 1867, as 
a lumberman's supply store and grocery, by Northrup, Wells & 
Co., the firm title was changed to Wells, Stone ife Co. in 1869. The 
first store of the company has been described as a brick three-story 
building 50x90 feet, filled from basement to attic with groceries, 
provisions, flour, clothing, boots and shoes, hardware and general 
lumberman's supplies. The store house was a one-story frame 
building 15x85 feet, filled with beef, pork, beans, flour, feed, hay, 
etc. These buildings with the entire stock were destroyed by fire 
New Year's Day, 1881. The losses were estimated at $55,000. 
The total insurance amounted to $23,900. Within a few days the 
business was established in the ware-room, in rear of the boom office, 
three car loads of supplies shipped and a few days later all orders 
were filled. The new store is a solid brick structure 90x100 feet. 
The annual sales are said to exceed in value $1,000,000, exclusive 
of the sales effected at their branch establishments of Sanford, 
Loomis, Farwell and West Branch. 

SAGINAW IKON WORKS. 

These works are located at the corner of Water, Williams and 
Hamilton streets. Premises one-half block; three fronts; buildings 
in all equal to 40x282 feet. The machine shop was built in 1866, 
and the foundry added in 1867 by Hildreth and N. B. Kinsey. 
Two engines supply power to the machinery of both shops. Iron 
and brass castings with the manufacture and repair of machinery 
form the principal business of the factory. 

There are other less important iron works within the city, boiler 
and smoke-stack shops, and workers in tin and zinc. 



SAGINAW CITY. 647 

IF UNFIT RE FACTORY. 

The furniture factory of John Stenglein & Brothers, located on 
Water and Mackinaw streets, was built in 1880, for the firm. All 
kinds of household furniture are manufactured, and a large local 
trade lias been attained. The factory gives employment to 10 
mechanics, and the retail store on Hamilton and Franklin to two 
salesmen. 

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 

Following are many biographical sketches ot pioneers and 

prominent citizens, living and deceased, of Saginaw township and 
city. All these have materially helped to turn the original wilder- 
ness into an inhabited and happy land, or to develop and buildup 
the interests of this locality: 

Nelson Abel, proprietor dairy farm northwest of Saginaw City, 
was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 23, 1S14, and is a son of William 
and Polly Abel. In 1841 he located in Oakland Co., Mich., 
and in 1851 in this county. He has accumulated a sufficient 
amount to keep him comfortable in the last days of his stay on 
earth, and has been very charitable toward those less fortunate in 
life. He was united in marriage in Oakland Co., Mich., in 
L851, to Phoebe Schermerhorn, who was born in New York in 
1813, and departed this life in 1870. Mr. Abel owns 60 acres ot 
good land. 

A. W. Achard, dealer in hardware, agricultural implements, 
mill and lumbermen's supplies. This large house was established 
in 1868, by Seyffardt A; Achard, who continued in the business 
together for seven years, when they dissolved partnership, Mr. 
Achard continuing in the business. He afterward admitted as a 
partner into the business, Mr. E. Schceneberg, who remained with 
him five years, and then sold out to Mr. Achard, who has been 
alone in the business from that time. He now has one of the 
principal hardware stores of Saginaw City, and is doing a large 
business. He carries a stock valued at $15,000, and his yearly 
sales amount to over $36,000. Mr. Achard was born in Prussia 
in 1825. He came to America when 24 years of age, settling on 
a farm in Saginaw tp., where he " farmed it " for IS months, then 
removed to the city. He is an architect, and superintended the 
erection of the city engine-house, the old Burrows bank, and the 
first brick store put up in ls<>4, by J. and P. Bauer. In 1863 and 
L864 he superintended one of the first steam salt blocks, erected bv 
the Wayne County Salt ( Jompany. He was united in marriage in 
1854 to Mary Fittinger, a native of Prussia. They have 5 children. 

Alexander Andre (deceased) was born in Detroit, Mich., April 
27, 1834. He came to Saginaw in 1848 and resided with his 
brother, P. C. Andre, until he obtained his majority. He traded 
with the Indians, in partnership with P. C, for some time. On the 
first day of May, 1855, he graduated from the Commercial College 



618 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

at Detroit, with high honors. He engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness alone for some time, and then he engaged in the lumbering 
and real estate business. At this he was very successful, and 
grew wealthy. He was a member of the City Council for one year, 
and was a highly respected citizen. Upright in all his dealings, 
and of a free-hearted, genial disposition, none knew him but to 
love him. He was married in 1856 to Miss Mary L. Cushway, 
daughter of the late Benjamin Cushway, of whom we make 
further mention elswhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Andre had 
10 children, of whom 5 boys and 2 girls are living. 

Peter C. Andre was born in Detroit, Mich., Oct. 25, 1817, and 
is a son of Joseph C. Andre, who was born in Vincennes, Ind. (his 
father's trading post), May 2, 1770. Mr. Andre's mother was a 
Miss Clemelia Fearson, born in Detroit, Dec. 3, 1795. There is 
an incident connected with the Andre family that would be well to 
record at this time: Our subject's grandfather, Joseph Andre, 
purchased a farm of about 200 acres, fronting on the river, near 
Fort Wayne, and now a part of the city of Detroit, in an early day, 
and rented it to one Robert Enos for a term of years. It appears 
that Enos became a defaulter before his time on the farm expired, 
and the U. S. Marshal sold his right to the place as tenant. After 
a period of years elapsed (Mr. Andre having died in the mean- 
time), one General Williams introduced a bill in Congress to con- 
firm the sale of the Marshal, which was not a sale of the land, 
but only a sale of the rights of Enos as tenant. So it still be- 
longs to the Andre heirs, ot whom our subject is one. Many 
parties residing within the corporate limits of Detroit and on 
this tract of 200 acres will eventually be turned out of what they 
now deem their homes, provided the Andre heirs establish their 
claims. Mr. Andre is the second of 11 children, 6 brothers and 5 
girls, viz.: James, Peter C, John, Richard, Elias C, Alexander, 
Julia A., Caroline, Clemelia, Josephine and Louise. In 1837 he 
established five trading-posts at different points in Michigan. Mr. 
Andre came to Saginaw first in 1816, and purchased the remnant 
stock of goods belonging to the American Fur Company, and 
added others to this stock, bringing his new goods fro.n Detroit, 
and opened his store in the Frazier building. In 1862 he sold his 
entire stock of goods and engaged in lumbering until 1865, 
when he engaged in the dry-goods and boot and shoe trade in 
Saginaw, which he followed until 1869. He has also been actively 
engaged in the real-estate business since 1848. He was Mayor of 
Saginaw once, and Register of Deeds one term. In 1818 and '19 
Mr. Andre chartered the steamer " Franklin Moore" for her first 
trip and for her two subsequent trips to Cleveland, each time loaded 
with fish from his fisheries. Mr. Andre was married to Miss 
Clarissa M., daughter of Henry M. Stark, of Clinton county, 
Mich. They have had 1 children, 2 living — Julia C. (Lockwood) and 
Clara Grace. 

Reuben W. Andrus (deceased) was born in Chautauqua county, 
N. Y., Feb. 20, 1832. He passed his early life on a farm, and 



SAGINAW CITY. 649 

was educated in the common schools. While in his native county 
he pursued the business of a grocer for several years. In 1854 he 
went to Buffalo, and in 1856 came to Owosso and subsequently to 
Ohesaning, this (••unity, where he was engaged in the mercantile 
business for a number of years. He married Miss Emma Roy 
Crowfoot and had 1 child, JIattie. Mrs. Andrus died in 1861, 
and Feb. 28, 1865, Mr. A. married Mrs. Maria M. Legg, widow 
<it Silas W. Legg (deceased), and a daughter of Hosea Wood. Mrs. 
Ajadrns was born in Tlster Co., N. Y. Mr. Andrus held various 
offices of honor and trust during his residence in Chesaning. He 
was Supervisor of that tp. Hi years, and Justice of the Peace 
two years. He was Sheriff of Saginaw county four years, and 
Supervisor of the First ward in 1878. He died Oct. 20, 1878, 
sc\ ( ring his membership with the Masonic and I. O. O. F. soci- 
eties, and also with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Andrus was a 
man of enterprise and was highly respected. 

Henry Austin^ grocer, corner Hamilton and Van Buren, was born 
in Burlington, Vt., July 4, 1839. When two years of age his par- 
ents removed to York State, where he was reared on a farm and 
was educated in the common schools. He served three years and 
three months in the late war, in Co. H, 2d Reg. N. Y. Artillery, and 
participated in the 2d battle of Bull Run, Wilderness, Gettysburg, 
Petersburg and Weldon R. R. In 1866 he came to South Sagi- 
naw and worked in a mill some six years, and was a member ot 
the police of East Saginaw four years. He then engaged in the 
grocery business in Edmore, Montcalm Co., Mich., for one and a 
half years, and in June, 1880, he came to Saginaw, and established 
his present business, which is constantly increasing. Mr. Austin 
was married to Miss Eliza Delaney, Feb. 28, 1866, by whom he 
lias 3 children — Alice, Nellie and Maudie. 

0. P. Barber, 31. D., was born at Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. 
Y., in 1840, and is a son of Zaccheus and Hannah (Martin) Barber. 
He was brought up there until lie was 10 years old, and since 
that time he has lived in different parts of the country. At the 
age of 15 he entered the literary department of the University 
of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and afterward the medical department, 
where he remained two years. He then entered Bellevue Hos- 
pital College, of New York city, from which he graduated in the 
spring of 1870. He practiced one year at Leroy, Genesee Co., 
N. Y., and in 1871 came to Saginaw City, forming a partnership 
with Drs. White and Bliss, with whom he continued four years. 
In 1876 he opened his office in Andre block, Hamilton st. He 
has been a member of the American Medical Association for 10 
years; of the State Medical Society for nine years; is also a mem- 
ber of the Board of Health, and was elected City Physician by a 
Democratic Council. Dr. Barber is one of the leading plrysicians 
of this city, and has a large practice. Was nominated for Mayor 
on the Republican ticket in the spring of 1881, and defeated by 
103 votes in a city of between four and five hundred Democratic 



650 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

majority, and since then has received the appointment of local sur- 
geon of the M. C. R. R. 

John Barr, proprietor of Barr's brick yard, on sec. 18, Sagi- 
naw tp., was born in Scotland, June 1, 1819, and is a son 
of Robert and Margaret Barr. Mr. B. came to America in 1842, 
locating in Canada, where he assisted on the first iron boat ever 
built in that country. From Canada he traveled over different 
portions of New York, and at Chippewa was offered a shop and 
two acres of land if he would consent to locate there and 
pursue his trade (being a thorough machinist). While at Buffalo 
he was offered all the money he desired to start a manufactory, 
and assisted in building the first looms to knit or weave a shirt, it 
being formerly clone by hand. At Waterford, Saratoga Co., N. Y., he 
worked eight years at constructing fire-engines. In 1865 he came 
to Saginaw county, and a few years later went to Niagara, N. Y. 
where he built a locomotive to run to and from the famous "Falls." 
He has been principally engaged in brick-making of late years, 
and turns out annually from twelve to fourteen hundred thousand. 
He owns 40 acres on sec. 18, 15 acres inside the corporate limits 
of East Saginaw, and two houses and five lots in Saginaw City. Mr. 
Barr was married Oct. 12, 1846, to Agnes Brice, who was born at 
Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1823. One child was given them, Agnes, 
born Nov. 15, 1847, and died Aug. 11, 1849. Mrs. Barr died July 23, 
1848, and in 1864 Mr. B. married Mary Haslip, who was born in 
Canada in 1841. 

Charles G. Benjamin, saw-filer for Williams Brothers, was born 
in Geneva, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1835, and is a son of Edwin Benjamin. 
He came to Saginaw in 1859, and engaged in log-scaling in the 
winter seasons and saw-filing during the summers. The first five 
years he worked for V. A. Paine; one year with Warner and East- 
man, and 11 years with Rust, Eaton & Co., and in 1876 he began 
with his present employers. He was married in 1867 to Miss 
Laura Johnson, by whom he has 2 children, Edmond and Don- 
ald. Mr. Benjamin is a member of the Knights of Honor. 

D. E. Benjamin is a prominent farmer of this tp. He 
was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., May 1, 1822, and is a son of 
Capt. Elias and Rhoda Benjamin, natives of New York. In 1843 
Mr. B. came West, locating in Oakland Co., Mich. For five 
years he was engaged in lumbering. In 1868 he purchased his 
present farm of 315 acres of excellent farming land. Mr. Benja- 
min was married in New York in 1843, to Margaret, daughter of 
John and Catherine Shoudy, who was born in 1822. She bore him 
2 children, Elizabeth and Ellen M., and departed this life in 
1863. He was again married, in Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1865, 
to Adeline, daughter of Luke and Mary Coney, who was born in 
New York in 1835. They have 1 child, Lillian. Mr. B.'s portrait 
is given in this work, on page 167. 

John H. Benjamin was born in Newport, Maine, Dec. 26, 1840, 
and is a son of James Benjamin. Our subject learned the black- 
smith trade with his father, when a boy. In May, 1864, he came 
to Saginaw and remained about 16 months, then returned East. In 



SAGINAW (1TY. 651 

November, I s *'''. 1 . he returned to Saginaw, and in April, 1870, 
blished a blacksmith shop and buggy manufactory. He docs 
a very extensive business, and turns out first-class work. He was 
married Sept. 12, 1878, to Miss Florence J., daughter of D. J. 
Smith. They have 1 son. John EL, jr. 

William Biesterfeld, dealer in dry goods and notions, estab- 
lished this business on April 1, 1877, on Hamilton street, and at 
the end of one year it was moved to Andre block, on Court street. 
Mr. Biesterfeld lias a fine stock of goods, and is doing a large busi- 
ine88. When lie first opened he had a stock of $5,000, which he 
has increased to over $12,000. EOs yearly sales amount to $30, 000. 
By strict attention to business lie has placed himself among the 
prominent merchants of the city. lie was born at Baltimore, 
Md.. in fs;>7. and is a son of Henry and Mary Biesterfeld, now 
residents of this city. In 1865 he came to Saginaw City, and soon 
after entered the employ of Scheib& Co., with whom he learned 
the business, and remained until 1877, when he bought his em- 
ployers' stock. He was united in marriage Nov. 27, 1879, at 
Detroit, Mich., to Ida E. Dodge, a native of Michigan City, Ind. 
Onechild was born to them, William Chester, who died June 29, 
L881, aged eight months. 

Michael Blcmk, farmer on sec. 28, was born in Germany, in 
L834. In 1852 he came to Saginaw county, and after years of 
toil and privation, has succeeded in possessing a nice farm of 50 
acres. He was married in 1847 to Sorena Brights, who was born 
in Germany in 1830. The}' have 5 children — Kate, Lizzie, Law- 
rence. Anna and Cora. Mr. Blank and wife are faithful members 
ot the German Lutheran Church. 

Rev. George Bradley. — Of the many strong men who deserve 
honorable mention in connection with the early pioneer life of the 
Saginaw Valley and Northern Michigan no one is entitled to a higher 
place in this record than B,ev. George Bradley. He was born May 
31, 1810, in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y. In 1832 he married 
Miss Sophia Blakesley, of Oneida Co., New York. He was 
licensed to preach in 1837. In 1838 he became a member of the 
Michigan Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was 
for 33 years a minister of the gospel of that Church, much of the 
time as a missionary among the Indians. He labored as only a 
strong, true and brave man can labor. Wherever hard work and 
great responsibility were demanded, there was he sent, and no 
man can say he failed to meet the demand: whether as pastor, pre- 
siding elder or missionary, he was the same hard-working, earnest 
Christian man. Whether in the mansion of the rich, the log 
cabin of the poor pioneer, among the rough laborers in the pine 
woods or the wigwam of the Indian, he was at all times the 
dignified, yet courteous, gentleman, the wise counselor, the sym- 
pathizing friend and always a minister of the gospel of Christ. One 
of his old co-laborers once said of him, " If you want to see George 
Bradley, go where duty has called him and there you will find 
him." 



652 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Some idea of his labors may be formed wImmi it is stated tha t 
when presiding elder of the Grand Rapids District in I818-'9> 
his district embraced all that part of the State lying north of the 
south line of Genesee county to the Straits of Mackinaw, with his 
home in the city of Flint. All this vast territory, from Lake 
Huron on the east to Lake Michigan on the west, he visited, 
organizing societies, building churches, preaching wherever he 
went, in the church, if one was to be found, in the log-cabin of 
the settlers, the wigwam of the savage, at the camp-meeting, and 
wherever men and women could be found. In stature he was almost 
a giant. He had great natural ability. His mind was clear, com- 
prehensive and practical. He dealt with men as he found them, and 
sought in his preaching and intercourse to lead them to be better 
men. He never said a foolish thing. His voice was remarkable: 
always pleasant and winning, at times it was raised with a sud- 
denness and power that startled and moved like an electrical shock. 

For some time he resided in the city of East Saginaw. When 
the Indians removed to their reservation in Isabella county in the 
winterof 1857, he took up his lesidence among them, and resided 
in tha county until his death. He was the Indian's true and un- 
faltering friend. In the spring of 1871. upon the recommendation 
of the Missionary Society, he was appointed by President Grant 
Indian Agent for the State of Michigan. April 8 he went to New 
York for a conference with the Missionary Board upon Indian 
affairs. He reached that city late in the evening, and took a car- 
riage for the mission rooms, but feeling ill he ordered the driver to 
take him to a hotel, which was done. He stepped from his car- 
riage to the sidewalk, fell, and expired without uttering a word. 
Bishop Harris forwarded his remains to loving friends at Saginaw, 
who conveyed them to Isabella, where they were interred. His 
devoted, faithful wife, the partner and helper in his great work, 
survived him until the fall of 1875. The remains of these two 
earnest Christian workers rest side by side in the beautiful ceme- 
tery at Mt. Pleasant. 

Phineas D. Braley was born in Berkshire county, Mass., 
April 17, 1811. In January, 1823, he came with his parents in a 
sleigh to Royalton, New York, and in 1835 they came to Sagi- 
naw county and settled on the Tittabawassee river. There were 17 
in the two families, and they traveled the entire distance with an 
ox team. They, however, traveled by lake from Buffalo to Detroit. 
When they arrived at the Saginaw river they found no ferry; but 
the Indians soon constructed one for them, of two canoes with 
slabs lain across, and tied, or bolted, to the canoes. Mr. Braley's 
wagon was among the first wheeled vehicles brought to the 
Valley. 

In those days they had to go to Thread river to mill, a distance 
of 32 miles, requiring five days to make the trip. On the arrival 
of the Braleys here there were but four frame houses in Saginaw, 
and no plank houses in East Saginaw. Mr. Braley has been 



SAGINAW CITY. 653 

engaged in lumbering for the most part, every winter since 1836. 

!!<• re *red to Saginaw in L856. The first winter he was here 

he cut 200 cords 01 wood and put it on the river bank for Har- 
vey Williams, at 30 cents per cord. 

Mr. Braley tells an amusing anecdote in connection with his 
wagon. He said: " Harvey Williams came and hitched his own 
team to it one day, and refused to return it; said he wanted to buy 
it; but I refused to sell it. He paid no attention to what I said, 
but put his hand into Ins pocket and drew out a handful of bank 
notes and gave it to me without counting it; remarking as lie left 
that if it was not enough lie would give me some more. I counted 
the money, and found there was just S17<» in currency." Mr. 
Braley was married in August, L833, to .Miss Rebecca IfTubbard, 
by whom he had 3 children — Lavina (dec), Ezra and Cynthia. 
Mrs. B. died, and he was again married, this time to Miss Jane 
Blewer, who afterward died, and Dec. 16, is4i>, he married Miss 
Olive Hubbard, by whom lie has had !> children; of these 6 are 
living, viz.: Phineas, Mary, Emma A., Fannie 0., Frederick B., 
ami Laura. 

JFrederick IT. Brenner, City Surveyor. Saginaw City, was born 
near Cologne, Prussia. Sept. •">, L 844; is a son of Charles T. and 
Thorthea < Fisher) Brenner, father a native of Prussia, mother of 
Switzerland. Charles received his early education at the Cologne 
high school, and when 15 years of age accompanied his father to 
this country, his mother having died in 1841. He resided at 
New York city for about six months, attending school, and then 
engaged in the manufacturing business. In 1850 he came to Sag- 
inaw City, and soon after his father purchased two lots on the 
corner of Adams and Hamilton streets, where he erected the Far- 
mer's Hotel, since known as the Shakspeare and Washington 
House-. Here Frederick assisted his father at odd times, and in 
l v .v_' went to the mouth of Thunder Bay river (now Alpena) where 
he remained, seiningfish, for three years. In lsr>4 he commenced 
surveying with Butler Ives, of Detroit. He was in the employ of 
the F. A; P. M. R. R. for some years, and assisted in locating the 
road beds of the A. L. & T. B., and the former company. He 
was elected County Survevor in L874, serving as such for two 
year-. He was married Oct. 20, 1856, to Maria A. Ortner, a 
native of Bavaria. They have 7 children — Wilhelmina, Emma, 
Edward, Caroline, William, Mary and Charlie. Mr. Brenner and 
wife arc members of the Lutheran Church. 

Abel .1. Brochwa/y was bom in Schoharie Co., IS". Y., Aug. Hi. 
L818. In ^4she came to Port Huron. Mich., and in 1851 to Sag- 
inaw; remaining only a few days he returned to Port Huron. lie 
spent summers in Saginaw and the s winters in Port Huron. He 
-pent the year 1^4s lumbering in St. Clair county. He owns large 
tracts of land in Michigan and also in Washington Territory. He 
has resided in Saginaw since 1853. His residence is situated on 
the cross road city limits. He was married in 1S61 to Miss 
Jtozctte Winget. Their 2 children are Mary and Sarah. 



654 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNT V. 

Burnham, Spaulding <k Co., dealers in dry-goods and carpets,, 
wholesale and retail. This large house was established Sept. 1, 
1880, in Smith's block, Court st. The store was formerly occu- 
pied by J. B. Woolfenden & Co. This firm has put in an entire 
new stock consisting of dry-goods and carpets in its various 
branches, making tine goods a specialty. Mr. Burnham, the senior 
member, resides at New York city, where he improves the oppor- 
tunities of buying goods at bargains. He has 35 years experience in 
the dry-goods business, and uses his judgment in buying the best 
class of goods for their trade here. They are doing business upon 
the best of business principles, buying and selling all goods for 
cash, having only one price. The store is a large, double room with 
the same proportions above, while the basement is used exclu- 
sively for the wholesale department. A first-class dress-making 
department occupies the third floor, and is also run in connection 
with the establishment. It is under the management of Mrs. 
Mary Reynolds, of New York, a lady of great taste and judgment. 
The whole business is under the supervision of Mr. Spaulding, who 
has had an experience of 17 years in this business. He is a native 
of Monroe Co., N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1870. He was 
engaged in business at Jackson, Mich., for nine years, and has 
also beside his business interests here, a large dry-goods and carpet 
house at Caro, Tuscola Co., Mich., under the name of E. O. 
Spaulding cv; Co. The house in this city employs 29 persons, and 
does a business of $150,000 a year. 

F. C'. Busch, proprietor book bindery, Hamilton street. This 
bindery was opened in 1871, in the old postoffice building, and 
moved to the present location in Newell block in 1874. He 
manufactures all kinds of blank books and does all kinds 
of book-binding, ruling, etc. His trade was learned at 
East Saginaw, of A. II. Frey, in 1866. He was born at Detroit, 
Mich., in 1850, and came to Saginaw City in 1856. His father 
and mother, William and Mary (Heilbron) Busch, natives of Ger- 
many, are residents of this city. They are old settlers in this 
country. His father was born in 1805, and mother in 1813. 
The family consisted of 8 children, of whom 6 are living — Louisa,. 
William C., Augusta, Mena, Frederick C, and Henry. 

Myron Batman was born in Milan, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1825, and is a 
son of John S. Butman, who removed from New Hampshire to- 
Ohio in an early day. Mr. B. was educated at Huron Institute, 
Erie Co. ,' Ohio. The year of 1854 he spent in Chicago, and in 
1855 came to Saginaw. Previous to locating here, however, he 
entered about 4,000 acres of fine timber lands near this locality. 
He has dealt very extensively in timber lands since that time. 
He is now extensively engaged in lumbering, doing his sawing 
at Bay City. He was married in 1848 to Miss Mary P. Adams. 
They have 1 child— Mary P. 

William H. Cambrey, a native of England, was born in Febru ary, 
1837, and emigrated to America with his parents in 1844. They 



SAoIXAW CITY. 655 

settled in [ndependence, Oakland ('<>., Mich., where they still re- 
side. In 1862 William came to Saginaw and worked as engineer 
in the Chicago Salt and Lumber Co., for four years; for Rust, Eaton 
& Co. till 1871, and since for Eaton, Potter & Co., as foreman or 
superintendent. He was married July 4, 1858, to Lucinda Meeker. 
They have 2 children— Nellie and Kate. 

J. B. Chopin, of the firm of Dolsen, Chapin A: Co., was horn 
inMarietta, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1840, where lie was brought up and 
educated. He enlisted in the V. S. service in L861, in Co. L, 1st 
( >hio Cavalry. Wink' in the army he was made Lieutenant of Gen. 
Thomas' escort. Be came to Saginaw in 1865, and in 1866 mar- 
ried Mi-- Electa Barber, bywhomhe has 2 children — Nellie and 
Julia. When he first arrived in Saginaw he became identified 
with Mr. Barber in East Saginaw, under the firm name of Chapin, 
Barber A: Co., who afterward removed their business to Salina. 

The manufactory of the present firm is in Bay City. It was 
erected in 1870, by Dolsen & Walker, Mr. Chapin not having 
bought into the company until in 1873. The steam power is fur- 
nished by five large boilers, and transmitted to the machinery 
through eight engines. This firm employs 80 men, and manufactures 
annually 23,000,000 feet of lumber, and 60,000 barrels of salt. 
The tirst salt well was bored in 1863, by the same firm that erected 
the mill. They now have six wells in active operation. 

Oscar I>. Chapin (deceased) was horn in Medina Co., Ohio, 
Sept. 26, 1826, and was a son of Seymour Chapin. He lived on 
his father*- farm until 10 years of age, when his mother died. He 
then went to Marietta, Ohio, and resided with his brother, Harlow 
Chapin, receiving an education in the Marietta schools. In 1864 
he came to Saginaw and engaged in lumbering with A. G. Van- 
way tor a short time, when he formed a co-partnership with Ins 
nephew, A. JB. Chapin, and L. A. Barber, in the same business. 
Their mill burned Oct. S. 1871; he then went to Bay City and 
formed a partnership with Mr. Barber of that place. He was mar- 
ried in August, 1849, to Miss Eli/a Barber, daughter of David 
Barber, and a sister of Levi A. Barber, of Bay City. Mrs. Chapin 
was born in Meigs Co., Ohio. This union was blessed with 8 
children, of whom 4 are living, viz. : Charles B., Florence M. 
enwood), David S. and Kate. Mr. Chapin died Oct, 24, 1879, 
loved and respected by all. He was an energetic business man, 
upright in his dealings, and a man of high social qualities. 

Jt . G. Clifton, chief engineer of Saginaw City water works, was 
horn in England, Dec. 23,1842, and came to America with his 
parents when but a small child. He was reared to manhood at 
Lockpoit. X. Y.. where he served his apprenticeship in the machine 
shops. In 1 800 he entered the Holly works, and remained with 
them until the war. in L862 he enlisted in Co. D, 129th Reg. N. 
V. Vol. Inf., and was afterward transferred to the 8th Reg. N. Y . 
Heavy Artillery. On June 3. 1864, at the battle of Cold Harbor, he 
was taken prisoner, and was confined four months in Andersonville 



65 6 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

prison, three months in Florence, and two months was transferred 
to different places. At the close of the war he returned to the 
Holly works, at Lockport, remaining with them until 1866, when 
he came to Saginaw City. He entered the machine shops here, 
and was a member of the first fire department of Saginaw City. 
When the Silsby engine was purchased in 1868, he w T as placed in 
charge, and in 1872 was transferred to the water works, which 
were built that year. This position he has faithfully filled from 
that date. He was united in marriage in the fall of 1865, at Lock - 
port, JS. T.j to Louisa Poyfair, a native of that city. They have 
5 children, all residing at home. 

W. H. Cole (& Co., merchant tailors. This popular house opened 
business Aug. 19,1*879. Mr. Joseph Beach, the cutter, cannot be 
excelled in his department, and is one of the finest artists in the 
Valley. He learned his trade in Detroit, of A. A. Tripp, and 
afterward came to this city. He was born at Rochester, N. Y., in 
1845; was reared there, and came to Michigan in 1856, locating at 
Ann Arbor. He has been engaged in clerking in different parts 
of the State. In 1862 he entered the employ of H. Barnhard, 
remaining with him eight years, where he learned the clothing 
business. This house now stands as one of the leading and most 
fashionable merchant tailoring establishments in the Saginaw 
Valley. They have the best class of trade from the surrounding 
country. 

David Crowley, proprietor of the Crowley House, Hamilton 
street, was born in Peterborough county, Canada, Nov. 17,1845. 
In 1866 he came to East Saginaw; engaged in lumbering until 
1872, when he began in the hotel business in Saginaw. He is 
now on the corner of Hamilton & Ames streets, and has a fine 
hotel, a history and description of which we give elsewhere in this 
work. Mr. Crowley was married Jan. 10, 1S76, to Miss Margaret 
Con over, also a native of Canada. 

Benjamin Cushway (deceased) was born in Grosse Point (now 
a part of the city of Detroit), Michigan, February 7, 1810, and was 
a son of John B. Cushway, a native of Canada, and of French 
parentage. Mr. Cushway worked on his father's farm until 17 
years old, and his education was obtained by attending the night 
schools, then taught in Detroit. At the age of 17 he began to 
learn the blacksmith's trade with Harvey Williams, so well known 
in the early history of Saginaw, and who still resides in Saginaw. 
He remained with Mr. Williams for seven years. In 1832 he 
came to Saginaw, remained a short time and returned to Detroit. 
In 1834 he received the appointment as Indian blacksmith at Sag- 
inaw, and he accordingly came on that year and entered upon his 
duties as such. He was removed by the treaty of 1837 to Bay 
City, where he remained in the same situation until 1841. While 
there he purchased large tracts of land, and a great deal of prop- 
erty in Bay City, and grew wealthy. He owned the property and 
resided on the corner of Court and Hamilton streets, in Saginaw, 



SAGINAW CITY. 657 

where the First National Bank now stands, until 1866, when he 
purchased the Wendell farm nearthecity on Mackinaw road. He 
resided on his farm several years, and then returned to the 
city. Mr. Cushway, at onetime, owned the Brockway farm and 
vast tracts of land in different parts of the State. He was married 
July L5, I s :;-'!. to Miss Adelaide Delisle, by whom he had 14 chil- 
dren, 9 boys and 5 girls. Mrs. Cashway was born in 
Detroit in the year 1812, and was a cousin of the Campeaus, who 
were the first settlers in Saginaw Valley. Her first visit to Sagi- 
naw was in 1827, when there were but two houses on the present 
-itc of Saginaw, and they were block houses. She returned to her 
home in Detroit after a visit of some months, and remained until 
after her marriage with Mr. Cushway. Mr. Cushway died May 
L881, in Saginaw, where he had resided for many years. He 
was well known and much respected for his hospitality and social 
merits. 

C. F. M. DeiheL manufacturer ot fine cigars, and dealer in 
cigar-, tobacco and all kinds of smoking articles, on Hamilton 
street. He started in business December, 1878, and at present 
employs three men. He began business alone and has worked up 
a fine trade, which extends over the Valley and averages 20,000 
cigars a month. Mr. Deibel was born in this city, and is a son of 
John and Mary Deibel, who reside here. His father is lumber 
inspector for Sample & ('amp, lumber dealers. 

0. •/. Demers, clothier, Saginaw City. Mr. Demers was born 
in Montreal district, Canada, in 1846, and is a son of Constant and 
( Jhristine Demers, of French descent. His father died about 1861; 
his mother now resides in Canada. He received his education in 
Camula. and in 1865 came to Michigan, locating at Saginaw City. 
( >n his arrival he did not speak English, and had nothing but in 
domitable will and pluck. These qualities he has so applied as 
to advance him to the front rank of business men. He began busi 
s in L872, and has made additions to his stock at different 
times, until at present he carries one of the finest stocks of goods 
in Saginaw City. His annual sales at present amount to $20,000. 
Mr. Demers was united in marriage June 11, 1879, to Bernardine 
Herrig, a daughter of Bernard Herrig. They have 1 child, 
< Oliver, now in his infancy. 

Hbract P. Denison was born in Madison Co., New York, 
Sept. 6 . 1828. His father, Joseph S. Denison, removed with 
bis family to Chenango county in 1832. The latter was a carpen 
ter and joiner and millwright. At 17 our subject went to learn 
the carpenter's trade. In 1850 he took charge of the Leonards 
ville Manufacturing Company's factory, which he superintended for 
eight years. He then went to Jackson, Mich., where he had 
charge < >f the agricultural department in the State's prison for about 
one year. He then returned to New T York, and took charge of the 
sash and blind factory at Sherburne, where he remained for 10 
years. In 1869 he came to Saginaw and took charge of, and be- 
came one of the proprietors of D. Hardin & Co. 's planing mill, 



658 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

which place he now occupies. He was married in 1850 to Miss M. 

B. Smith, by whom he has had 5 children, 4 living — Devillow E., 
Ida M. , Charles H. and Hattie G. 

L. T. Durand, present Prosecuting Attorney of Saginaw county, 
was born in Hamilton Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1848, and is a son 
of George H. Durand, of Saginaw, Mich., who was a native 
of Schoharie Co., X. Y. The family removed to Michi- 
gan in 1856 and settled on a farm in Genesee county near the city 
of Flint, from which they removed to Flint in 1860, and from there 
in 1863 to Saginaw. The subject of this sketch obtained a liberal 
education in the schools of Flint and Saginaw by attending the 
winter terms. During the summer months he clerked in stores 
and tallied lumber along the Saginaw river until he commenced 
the study of law at the age of 17. He began in the office of J. 
Brotisseau, then a lawyer of Saginaw, and after remaining with him 
about one year went into the office of Webber & Smith, who en- 
joyed a lucrative and busy practice in the city of East Saginaw. 
He continued there about three years, when he entered the law 
school at Ann Arbor, at which he graduated in the spring of 1870. 
He then went into the office of the Attorney General of the State, 
Hon. D wight May, where he pursued his studies more than a year, 
when he began the practice of his chosen profession in East Sagi- 
naw. From that time forward his business steadily increased and 
to-day he enjoys a good practice. In IS 78 he was elected Prose- 
cuting Attorney of Saginaw county by a handsome majority, and 
was re-elected in 1880. He was married in 1872 to Miss Flora 

C, daughter of Hon. John Moore, of Saginaw. They have 1 
child, Carrie, and reside on Washington street in this city. 

D. L. C. Eaton, an extensive lumber and salt manufacturer, 
of Saginaw, was born in Schenectady Co., Kew York, May 30, 
1817, and is a son of Anson Eaton, who removed to Orleans Co., 
1ST. Y., when our subject was quite small. In 1818 Mr. Eaton came 
to Saginaw, which was then a mere village; and at that early day 
there was no East Saginaw, nor any Bay City. For the first eight 
years, Mr. Eaton engaged in the mercantile business in Saginaw, 
since which date he has been employed in lumbering until the pres- 
ent time. He is identified with the firms of Rust, Eaton & Co., 
in Saginaw, and Eaton, Potter & Co., in East Saginaw; and also 
owns large tracts of pine and other lands, among which is a fine 
farm of 160 acres in the corporate limits of East Saginaw. Mr. 
Eaton is one of the best financiers of Saginaw Valley, always 
successful in his undertakings. 

Rev. Christopher L. Eberhardt, Pastor ot St. Paul's (Evangel- 
ical Lutheran) Church of Saginaw, is a native of Wurtemberg, 
Germany, and was born Jan. 3, 1831, and was educated at Basle 
Mission College, and ordained a minister of the gospel, of Germany, 
Aug. 5, 1860. He came to Hopkins, Mich., as a missionary 
in 1860, where he remained but one year, then came to Saginaw, 
and took charge of his present station. He has labored hard here, 
both at preaching and teaching, and has built up a large congre- 



SAGINAW CITY. 659 

ration. Hi- was married April 16, 1863, to Mi>- Mary Reimold, 
of Washtenaw Co., Mich. 

C. K. Eddy, of the firm of C. Iv. Eddy A: Son, of East Sagi- 
naw, was born in Penobscot Co., Maine, in December, 1820. 
He received an academical education, and became an efficient sur- 
veyor and civil engineer, lie was in the employ of the State of 
Maine on ita public surveys for the period of 18 years. In 1858 
he went to Ottawa, Canada, where he engaged in lumbering for 
seven years, and in 1865 he came to Michigan, and engaged in 
lumbering, which he followed until last year, when he purchased 
the Chicago Mill on the west side, which he and his son, "Walter 
are now operating. He has 2 other sons — Arthur D. and 
< iharles K. 

William G. Elmer, tanner, sec. 15, was born at Marshfield, Vt., 
L9, 1812, and is a son of Aaron Elmer, who was one of the 
first settlers of Washington Co., Vt. William G. came to Saginaw 
county in 1S34, and has experienced his share of the vicissitudes 
of pioneer life. He has been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace 
of Saginaw tp., both offices of which he tilled with credit to him- 
self and honor to the citizens. He was married March 10, 1846, 
to Catherine Sittering, who was born in Germany, June l r 1810. 
They have 1 child— W. L. Phacl. 

G. Estdbrook ct' Go., clothiers, Saginaw City. This new and 
popular house was opened Sept. 1. 1880, in Court street, and now 
occupies a room in the Taylor House block. Mr. Estabrook has 
had 11 years' experience in the business, traveling for large 
wholesale houses in Boston. He was engaged live years in gents' 
furnishing goods, and six years in hats and caps. This experience 
enables him to buy goods at the very lowest prices, thus giving the 
benefit of this to the people. They do business on the one-price 
system, having all goods marked in plain figures. Mr. Estabrook 
iv a native of New Brunswick. He was reared there and in 
Boston, where he first learned his present business. 

Alexander Ferguson, County Treasurer, was born in New York, 
Aug. 20, 1829, a son of James and Ann (Hall) Ferguson, of Irish 
descent. His mother died at Portland, Mich.. March 23, 1881, and 
his father at Flint, about 12 years ago. They came to Michigan in 
L840 and settled at Flint. Mr. Ferguson received his early train- 
ing and education in New York and Michigan, and came to Sagi- 
naw March 29, 1^4!*. and has remained here since. He opened a 
jewelry, books and stationery store May 20, 1852, and continued 
the same business at East Saginaw until 1860, the stock being 
bought by F. E. Doughty. In 1861 he was appointed General 
Manager of the Western Union Telegraph office at East Saginaw, 
which he held for 16 years. He has been Collector of Customs 
tor the last L2 years. The fall of 1880 he was elected County 
Treasurer, and took possession Jan. 1, 1881. He was married in 
June. 1851, to Miss Harriet P. Stimpson, a native of Oswego, N. 
Y. They have 1 child, Frank A., who is engaged with his 



660 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

father in the insurance business in Bliss block, Genesee street. 
Mr. Ferguson is perfectly familiar with the business, having 
been engaged in it for eight years. He was also Clerk for Buena 
Yista township from 1852 to 1853, and has been Alderman of the 
Fourth ward for six years. He lives on Thompson street, East 
Saginaw, where he owns a fine residence. 

Andrew Fisher, farmer on sec. 15, where he owns 10 acres ot 
land, was born in Germany, Sept. 4, 1820. He emigrated to this 
county in 1849, and for 20 years was proprietor of a cabinet shop, 
whicli ranked among the first in Saginaw City. He was married 
at New York city, in 1851, to Mary Loetler, who was bora in Ger- 
many in 1830. Eight children were given to them. Mrs. Fisher 
departed this life, and in 1877 Mr. F. married Mary Cosoe, who 
was also born in Germany, in 1850. They have 2 children — Lena 
and Christian. 

John Fisher, farmer and gardener, sec. 16, was born in Wurtem- 
berg, Germany, May 15, 1823; parents were Michael and Josepha 
Fisher. Subject of sketch came to America in the autumn of 1849. 
He landed at the port of New York, and the Michigan Emigration 
Agent, Mr. Thompson, of Flint, forwarded him to Genesee county, 
Mich., where he worked for 13 months, and then located in Sag- 
inaw county. He was married Aug. 21, 1851, to Theresa Bucket, 
who was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 18, 1818, and died June 
5, 1876. He was then married Oct. 4, 1876, to her sister, Maria 
Buckel, who departed this life March 22, 1877. On May 19, 1879, 
Mr. F. married Walburga Schlicht, who was born in Bavaria, July 
5, 1854. They have 1 child, Maria, born in 1879. Mr. Fisher was 
Tp. Treasurer three years, and Drain Commissioner for the same 
period of time. He is a Liberal in religion. 

Frank B. Florentine, M. D., born at Chicago, 111., in 1849; son 
of Joseph S. and Celia (Bergeron) Florentine, residing at Pleasant 
Grove, 111. He was brought up at Chicago, and received his edu- 
cation at Eureka andBourbonais Colleges and the Northwestern Uni- 
versity, all educational institutions of Illinois, and his medical 
education at the " Kush Medical College" of Chicago (medical 
department of the Northwestern University), where he graduated 
Feb. 15, 1876. He came to Saginaw April 4, 1876, and opened 
his office, where he has been having an increasing practice every 
year, doing a cash business entirely. Has been a member of the 
Alumni Association of Kush Medical College, of Chicago, 111., since 
1876. On Jan. 20, 1877, he was married to Miss Mary Andre, a 
native of this city, and they have 1 child. Dr. Florentine owns 
a nice residence, corner Fayette and Ames streets. 

Ban P. Foote was born in the town of Deerheld, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., Aug. 18, 1831. In 1838 his father removed with the fam- 
ily to the town of Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., in the same State, 
where he established himself as a farmer and drover. From that 
time to July, 1847, Dan P. attended the district school like other 
boys of the neighborhood, and after school hours labored upon the 
farm. In the spring of 1847 Lieutenant McGee, of the N. Y. Yol- 



SAGINAW CITY. 661 

unteers, ofBath, X. Y., passed through the village with a part of a 
company of recruits, on the way to Buffalo, en rout< to join (len- 
eral Scott's army in Mexico. Mr. Foote, who had already 
acquired a slight knowledge of the Spanish Language from "Ollen- 
dorff's Spanish, in Six Easy Lessons," and a good many romantic 
ideas from other sources, needed only this opportunity to start on 
the way to test by experience his boyish notions of adventure. In 
July, 1847, though not yet 16 years old, we went to Buffalo and 
enlisted in the regular army to serve during the Mexican cam- 
paign. He continued in the service until late in 1848. As he 
never attained to any higher rank in the army than that of "' Lance 
Sergeant." it is to be inferred that the result of that Democratic 
war was not much affected by his services. His love of advent- 
ure was rather stimulated by it, as we find him the next summer, 
sailing from New Bedford in the barque "Persia," a whaler, 
bound on a cruise, first in the Atlantic and then around Cape 
Horn. The ship went to Azores (Western Islands), Madeira, 
Porto Praya, and finally round the Horn to the Island of Juan 
Fernandez, Society Islands and Callao. At Callao he took French 
leave of the old barque and tried life for awhile in and about Lima. 
In less than a year he was again at sea, where he continued, with 
the exception of a little time devoted to mining and stage-driving 
in California in 1852, until the fall of 1854. He served in the 
meantime for one cruise on the" Jamestown," a sloop of war, on the 
coast of Africa and on the Brazilian station; and afterward visited 
Hong-kong, Wampoa, Canton, and the islands in the Chinese seas, 
doubling Cape Horn in all three times, and the Cape of Good 
Hope once. He was in Cuba, in the brig "Halcyon," during the 
Lopez expedition. 

He came to East Saginaw in November, 1854, and falling in with 
Mr. George Judson, ofMundy, Genesee Co., he hired out to teach 
the winter school in his district, and succeeded well as a teacher. 
He had, however, had some experience as a school-teacher, for 
Borne months in the navy, while in the receiving ship "North 
Carolina." He was married to Miss Elizabeth Grattan, at Fox 
Lake, Wis., in November, 1854, and in April, 1S55, came to the 
tp. of Tittabawassee, and camped on 80 acres of land on the west 
Bide of the river in the woods, over a mile from any clearing or 
road. He gave himself industriously to the work of clearing up a 
farm; though just a little awkward in handling an ax, he made 
up in courage and qualities of endurance what he wanted in skill, 
and in three years had 40 acres cleared and fit for cultivation, the 
sole work of his own hands. For the next four years he taught 
school during the winters and studied law during the long winter 
nights under the instruction and encouragement of the Hon. J. G. 
Sutherland. When he first went to sea he carried with him all 
the 1 looks he had used in school, including Davies' algebra and 
similar books, and subsequent results showed they were carried 
for use, as the only schooling he ever had was in the district 

40 



662 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

school, and this before he reached the age of 16 years. In Sep- 
tember, 1863, he was admitted to the bar, and in April, 1866, 
moved to the city and entered upon the active practice of law, 
in which he has succeeded, establishing himself among the 
lawyers of recognized merit, and accumulating a fair compe- 
tency. Mr. Foote is yet a young man. He has held the office of 
School Inspector, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor. City Attorney 
of the City of Saginaw, Prosecuting Attorney of Saginaw county, 
and State Senator of the 23d Senatorial district. 

He brought with him to Michigan a wide knowledge of the world, 
a strong heart and amine! free from the prejudices of the untraveled 
man. These high qualities were not long hidden in the old-time 
wilderness of the Tittabawassee; they asserted themselves within 
a few years, and added to the legal circle of the county, already 
well represented, an honorable, public-spirited and judicious law- 
yer. Amid all the phases of legal and political life he has not 
forgotten the beautiful farm which his own hands made in the 
northwestern tp. This fact is one of the surest evidences of his 
adherence to true democracy. 

There is in this biographical sketch much to instruct and interest 
the reader. By what chain of circumstances this gentleman, in his 
youth, was led, as it were, round the world, over every sea and 
ocean, into barbarous as well as civilized lands, and ultimately to 
Saginaw, is one of the mysteries of life. It appears as if that destiny 
so evident in the wanderings ot other men pertained to him also, 
and prepared him gradually but surely for a teacher bv precedent ot 
all that is practically Christian. Whether in the Mexican cam- 
paign, U. S. Navy, on the farm or at the bar 'of his adopted 
county, he has always displayed a rare spirit of toleration, and won 
by kindness where others failed to succeed by opposite qualities. 

Murdoch Fraser, farmer on sec. 19, is a native of Scotland, and 
a son of John and Elizabeth Fraser, who came to Saginaw county 
in 1838; the former died some years ago, and the latter resides on 
the old homestead with her son, James J. Mr. Fraser owns 153 
acres of land. He was married in 1836 to Isabella Goulding, a 
native of Edinburgh, Scotland. Ten children have been born to 
this union — Alexander, Thomas, James, Charles, Murray, John, 
Kittle, wife of Fred T. Reed, Lizzie, and Delia, wife of Clarence 
Irton. Robert is deceased. 

H.J. Friedlein, jeweler, Saginaw City, was born at Evans ville, 
Inch, Sept. 21, 1852, son of John and Henrietta (Geissler) Fried- 
lein. His mother died in November, 1878; his father is keeping a 
hotel in the city. Mr. Friedlein learned his trade with John C. 
Ziegler, of this city, remaining with him one year. He then went 
to Evansville, Inch, where he was employed by Philip Geissler 
for three years and with whom he finished his trade. He then 
returned to this city, and after two years more with Mr. Ziegler, 
opened out for himself in 1876. He is doing a very fair business. 

Frank R. Ganshaw, of the Saginawian, was born in Stettin, 
Prussia, May 5, 1841. His father, Frederick, came with his family 



SAGINAW CITY. 063 

ginaw in 1850, where he still resides. Mr. Ganshaw is the 
second of 4- childreD, viz.: Augustus C, Frank R., Wilhelmine 
and Emelie. In L859Mr.G. went to Cincinnati, O., where he 
Learned the printer's trade. He remained there four years, and 
in Hamilton, 0., for two years. In 1S65 he returned and worked 
in the Enterprise office, in East Saginaw, where he remained for 
nine years; he then became foreman of the Saginmoian, holding 
this position until 1879, when he became a partner in the business. 
He was married July ">. 1866, to Miss Augusta Wurtzel, by whom 
he has had 7 children; of these. 5 are living — Charles, Frank, 
Augusta. Arthur and Nora. 

Mad" in J. A. Gilbert^ millinery and fancy goods, Taylor House 
block, Court street. This is the first-class millinery establishment 
of the city, and carries nothing but the best class of goods. She 
strict attention to the fashions, making two trips annually to 
New York and Boston, where she buys her goods. The house was 
established in April, 1879, and has met with the best of success 
in business. She has the best and wealthiest people among her 
patrons, and for that purpose employs from four to live of the best 
milliners for this class of trade. Mrs. Gilbert is a native of Ver- 
mont and learned her trade in New Hampshire. She was formerly 
engaged in business at Fitchburg, Mass., for 19 consecutive 
years, and came from there to Saginaw. Her store here is located 
in the principal part of the city, and has a neat and attractive 
appearance. 

@. K. Grout, a prominent lawyer of Saginaw, was born in the 
village of Fairfax, Franklin Co., Vermont, September 30, 1837, 
and is a son of Rev. Elijah K. Grout, a Baptist minister, who 
removed to Leslie, Michigan, in 1838, and labored as a minister in 
the churches at Leslie and Marine City (then Newport) many 
years. Our subject was educated at Newport Academy and Kala- 
mazoo College. Fie came to Saginaw in 1S5S. In 1S01 he 
enlisted in the I". S. service, in company Iv, 2d Keg. Mich. 
Inf. Vols. He was therefore in the army of the Potomac, 
and participated in the battles of first Bull Hun, Williams- 
lung. Vorkt'own, Fair Oaks, McClellan's retreat from Rich- 
mond. Harrison's Landing, and others. He was discharged in 
( Ictober, L862, when he returned to Saginaw, and in March, 1863, 
n reading law with Sutherland & Miller. In 1S67 Mr. Grout 
was admitted to the bar; since that time he has built up a good 
practice, and is also extensively engaged in the real-estate business. 
He was Assistant U. S. Assessor of Internal Revenue for nearly 
seven years, and held the office of City Attorney one term. He 
was married in September, 1867, to Miss Mary Harrison, by whom 
he has 3 children — Harriet E., Louise E. and Gerald. 

Jferddnand Haben, present City Marshal of Saginaw, was born 
in New York, and is a son of John Haben, who removed with his 
family to Oakland Co., Mich., in 185-1, and to East Saginaw in 
1862. The subject of this notice has resided in the Saginaws since 



664 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

that time, and for two years filled the office of Constable. lie now 
has six deputy marshals, who are diligent in seeking out the evil- 
doers; and who, with Mr. Ilaben as chief, let no mischief-makers 
go unnoticed. Mr. Ilaben was a member of the noted Wa-wa-sum 
Boat Club, which did credit for itself and Saginaw at the contests: 
Watkins, New York, Saratoga, Detroit, Toledo, and New York 
city. At Detroit, in 1878, the "Wa-wa-sums took the first prize. 
Mr. Haben was also foreman of the fire department in the Fourth 
ward for four years, during which time that department made the 
best records on review days ever made in the city. For four years 
Mr. Haben acted as driller for the salt-boring companies in Sagi- 
naw and vicinity. 

Thomas Hackett (deceased) was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 29, 1831. His parents were Bernard and Bridget Hackett, 
early pioneers of this county. Mr. H. was married May 29, 1865, 
to Jessie, daughter of John and Jessie McGregor, who emigrated 
to Saginaw tp. when but three families resided here. Mrs. Hackett 
was born June 24, 1841. One child was given to this marriage, 
Mary, born Feb. 5, 1868. Mr. Hackett departed this life in February, 
1873. His widow resides on the old homestead, comprising 120 
acres. 

Fred Haenbein, farmer, sec. 16; P. O., Saginaw City; was born 
in Germany, April 15, 1842, and is a son of John G. Haenbein. 
Mr. H. came to this country with his parents in 1850, and they lo 
cated in Saginaw county. He owns 120 acres of land, the fruit of" 
his individual labor and perseverance. He was married in 1861 

to Kate C. , who was born in Germany in 1841. They had 

6 children born to them, but only 5 are living — Willie, Minnie, 
Freddie, Lizzie and Johnnie. Rachel is deceased. 

G. H. Hale, D. D. 8., was born in Licking county, near New- 
ark, Ohio, in 1846. Although not an old citizen of Saginaw county, 
he has come with the best of recommendations, — that of a thorough 
business man, and one well versed in his profession. Mr. Hale 
has had 16 years experience in the practice of dentistry, to- 
gether with serving three years as a pupil. In Chicago he had an 
office and was professionally engaged there for 10 years; he also 
has two brothers, who are practicing physicians of that city. His 
father is a noted physician, under whom Mr. Hale studied medi- 
cine, thus being a scientific as well as a practical operator. Jan. 
15, 1881, he came to Saginaw and opened an office on Court street, 
having everything necessary for the comfort of his patients. He is 
a man who attends strictly to his business, and makes many friends 
by his frank, social manner. As regards workmanship, he can not 
be surpassed in the Valley, and in many fine points of execution 
he excels. 

Allen A. Hall, son of John and Polly Hall, was born in Penn- 
sylvania, July 2, 1825. His parents came to this county in 1835, 
locating at Saginaw City, where the former died in 1837. Allen 
was a sailor on the lakes for several years, and has had many 



SAGINAW CITY. 665 

narrow (-cape- from a watery grave. Ee was married in this 
county, in L852, to Margaret Allison, a native of Glasgow, Scot- 
lam!. They have 6 children — John, James A., Walter, Mary 
A., wife of Harlin Cribbins, Minnie W. and George W. Jessie is 
deceased. Mr. Hall resides on sec. 3. 

David K. Halsey, head sawyer for Eaton, Potter & Co., a 
native of Mt. Clemens, Macomb Co., Mich., was born July 15, 
1 - !•_'. He was reared a farmer boy and received a common-school 
education. At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he enlisted as 
Corpora] in Company B, 5th Mich. Vol. Inf., and the spring of 1862 
he was made Sergeant, and in June, 1864, he was promoted to 2d 
Lieut, and served in that capacity till the war closed. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Ybrktown, Williamsburg, Chancellorsville, 
The Wilderness, Gettysburg, 2d battle of Bull Run, Fred- 
ericksburg, and others, numbering 32 engagements in all. He 
was taken prisoner at Petersburg and was confined in Libby prison 
four months. In 1865 lie came to Detroit, and in 1866 to Saginaw. 
Since ]s71 he has followed sawing. 

He was married in 1865 to Hannah A. Kelley, and they have 1 
bod —Frank P. 

Daniel Uardm, of the firm of D. Hardin & Co., was born in 
( >tsego Co., New York, in May, 1820, and is a brother of Hon. 
A. C. Hardin, of Monmouth, 111. He was reared on a farm, and 
educated in the common schools. He located in Saginaw tempora- 
rily in lSt;.~>, and engaged in lumbering with W. S. Green, and 
still holds an interest in the Green lumber manufactory (now 
known as the mill of Hardin, Plummer ifc Co.); at the same time 
was in business in New York. 

He is now interested in the planing mill spoken of above. 
"While in New York State Mr. Hardin w r as engaged in the mercan- 
tile business. lie was married in 1840, to. Miss Lucy Brown, by 
whom he had -1 children, 2 living — A. C. and Emily P. Mr. 
Hardin isalso President of the Citizens, National Bank in Saginaw. 
He is a brother to Dennis Hardin (deceased), once a member of 
State Legislature of New York. Had 5 brothers — Joseph, Hon. 
A. C, Dennis. Nathan and Amos. Had also 6 sisters. His 
brother Joseph was a prominent business man of New York. He 
has always engaged in farming in New York State quite exten- 
di vely. 

Oustavus \ Harris ^ Superintendent of the Saginaw County Poor 
Farm, was born in Warren Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1834; is a son of 
George and Amanda (Ireland) Harris, who settled in this county in 
1*44, father a soldier in the war of 1812, and died April 14, 1852; 
mother still living, aged 87 years. Subject of sketch enlisted in the 
Onion army during the civil war, but failed to pass examination; 
was Constable and School Director of tp., and at present has charge 
of county farm; was married Feb*16, 1861, to Mary, daughter of 
John and Nancy McLean, natives of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. 
They have 3 children — Julia A., Mary A. and William H. 



6<0$ HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Moses M. Harris, farmer, sec. 13; was born in Clarkson, N. 
Y., Dec. 26, 1S26, a son of George and Amanda Harris, who were 
honored and respected pioneers of this county; father was born 
April 29, 17S9, and died April 14, 1852; mother still lives, and 
was born June 16, 1794. He owns 108 acres of land, the product 
of his own thrift and industry; was married Dec. 2, 1857, to Jane 
McLean, who was born April 5, 1824. Four children — Hattie E., 
born Sept. 23, 1858; John J., July 27, I860; Moses, Dec. 20, 1862, 
and died Jan. 13, 1874; Frank was born Nov. 12, 1865, and died 
July 20, 1872. 

James Hay, President of the Tittabawassee Boom Company, was 
born in Scotland, May 10, 1828, and is a son of Daniel Hay who 
emigrated with his family to Nova Scotia while James was an infant, 
and to Northern New York when he was a small boy. They went 
to Canada in 1838, where he remained until 1849, when he came to 
Port Huron, Michigan. He there worked as a common laborer 
for $13 a month. In 1S57 he came to Saginaw Valley and became 
foreman for David Ward in the lumbering business. He, however, 
had been foreman for David Rust in the same business for three 
years previous. During the winter of 1858 and '59 he lumbered 
for A. & D. W. Rust, and in 1859 he became a partner of Ezra 
Rust, with whom he is still associated. Mr. Hay owns large tracts 
of valuable pine lands. He was married, Dec 13, 1864, to Miss 
Mattie Hawkins, by whom he has had 8 children, 6 living — Mamie, 
Willy. Jennie, Mattie. Ethel and Blanche. 

Emit A. Herrig, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Saginaw 
City, was born in Germany in 1S40, where he received his educa- 
tion, attending several colleges and universities, finally graduating 
at the Royal Medical University at Berlin, in March, 1S66. After 
practicing for a short time he entered the Prussian army during 
their war with Austria, and was after sometime promoted to rank 
as Surgeon. At the close of the war he returned to Berlin, where 
he continued his practice. The succeeding two years he was act- 
ing assistant to some of the leading professors in the great hos- 
pitals. He emigrated to the United States in the summer of 1869, and 
settled at Fond du Lac, Wis., where he remained until he came to 
Saginaw, in May, 1871. He is now one of the most successful men in 
his profession, and has been connected with different enterprises of 
the city for years. He has been a member of the Board of Health 
for nearly three years, and its President and Health Officer for 
about two years, declining the office December, 1880. For one 
year he acted as city physician, and is a member of the Teutonia 
Society, founded in August, 1858. He was President of that society 
for three years, and has been one of the Board of Directors for nine 
years. In several of the best secret societies he holds high positions. 

Bernharcl Herrig, wholesale and retail grocer, on Water street, 
between Court and Adams, is a native of Germany. He came to 
Saginaw in 1849, on the steamer " Huron,-" and was one week on the 
way from Detroit to Saginaw. There >vas but one house in Bay 



. 



SAGINAW CITY. 667 

at that time, and there was no East Saginaw. Saginaw had 

luit one Btreet, which was Water street. Mr. Herrig established a 

vrv store in 1859, with $500 capital. His sales amount 

1)45,000 annually. Mr. EL is the father of 5 children, of whom 

4 arc living, 2 boys and 2 girls. 

P ■'> r II rr'nj. manufacturer of lath, staves and heading (by con- 
tract), in Hardin, Plummer k, Co.'s mill, was born in Germany, 
< >ct. 22, L848, hut was brought by his parents to Saginaw the same 
year. His lather. Nicholas llerrig, was a farmer and merchant 
here for many years, and died Aug. 14, 1880. They resided on a 
farm in tiie early days, where wild game was abundant. Some of 
of the family have stood in the door of their dwelling and shot 
deer. Mr. llerrig was married May 1, 1874, to Miss Anna Gan- 
shaw, by whom lie lias 1 child, Bertha, born May 28,1875. Mr. 
Herrig is master of the Germania Masonic Lodge, in Saginaw. 

Christian Hessler was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, July 23, 

1 s M7. where he was brought up until he was 18 years of age, when 
he went to Canada, July 23, 1855. He was there nearly three 
years, and then went to Lake Superior, remaining there three 
years. At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he entered the 
army in July, and served until its close, in 1865. He participated 
in the battles of the "Wilderness, Gettysburg, Fredricksburg, Cold 
Harbor and other smaller engagements. At the battle of Cold 
Harbor, June 2, 1804. he was wounded and taken to the hospital, 
where he was confined for eight months. He was at Appomattox 
Court-IIousc at the surrender of Lee, and was discharged at Jef- 
ferson vi lie. Ind., Jniy 8, 1865. The same year he came to Sagi- 
naw county, and was three years in Bridgeport, where he worked 
in a saw-mill. He then went to Buffalo, X. Y., and was married 
Jan. 12, 1868, to Christina Riedt, a native of Germany. He re- 
turned to Saginaw with his wife and opened a restaurant and 
saloon, in the old Lutheran church, where three years afterward, in 
1871, he bought his present property on the corner of Fayette and 
Adams streets. He is the father of 7 children, 5 daughters and 

2 sons, residing at home. Mr. Hessler was one of the first 

tnizers of the Arbeiter society, and has been a member of the 
Teutonia society since 1868. 

II L. Hildreth, general dealer in mill supplies and salt-work 
fittings, and manufacturer's agent for W. C. Allison, Philadelphia, 
Pa., and R. Hoe A: Co., New York, was born in Lockport, 1ST. Y., 
March 11, 1841. Mr. Hildreth came to Saginaw in 1864, and 
started a small machine shop. This soon becoming inadequate, 
in 1866 he built the Saginaw Iron Works. Sold out in 1868 and 
returned to Lockport and kept agricultural implements for two 
years. He then returned to Saginaw as traveling agent for D. II. 
me & Co.. which position beheld for six years. Mr. Hildreth 
is a mechanical engineer of rare ability. He has received patents 
on several machines which he has invented. During the agitation 
of the Detroit river tunnel question, he devised a plan which he 



668 HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

submitted to one of the committee, who pronounced it the best he had 
seen. He was instrumental in having a test salt well bored at St. 
Louis, Mich., which was most successful. In 1866 he married 
Miss Emily A. Schaeffer, also of Lockport. They have 2 sons. 

J. A. Himmelspaoh, manufacturer of fine cigars and dealer in 
tobaccos and smoking articles of all kinds. The factory was opened 
in June, 1878, and is now located on Water street. Mr. Ilimmel- 
spach employs from three to four men, and gives the business his 
entire personal attention. During the year 1880 he turned out 
177,000 cigars. He is a native of Waterloo Co., Canada, where 
he was born in 1853, and is a son of George and Mary Himmel- 
spach. He was brought up in Canada, and learned his trade there. 
In 1872 he came to Saginaw City, where he is now doing a pros- 
perous business. 

Geo. Hogan, born in Ireland in 1834, and came to America in 
1851. He settled at Albany, N. Y., and learned the trade of saw- 
making, remaining there until 1863, when he went to Pennsylvania 
and was engaged in the works at Pittsburg, for Lippincott & Co., 
and Henry Disson, of Philadelphia, large manufacturers of saws. 
He came to Saginaw June 2, 1866, where he has been engaged in 
business ever since. He was Chaplain of the Home Relief Lodge, 
No. 836, Knights of Honor, up to August, 1881, and is representa- 
tive to the Grand Lodge of the State. Also, Financial Secretary 
of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, which society was organized 
May 7, 1880. Mr. Hogan was married Dec. 31, 1862, at Troy, 'N. 
Y., to Miss Mary McCreary, a native of Cohoes, that State, and 
they have 2 children living and 2 deceased. 

J. W. Houston, M. I)., was born in Calhoun county, Mich., 
Aug. 4, 1855, son of John and Hannah (Whitney) Houston. His 
father was a native of Hanover, N. H., and his mother 
of Stillwater, N. Y. He was brought up in Calhoun county on a 
farm, and received his early education in district schools, and at 
the age of 16 years entered the high school at Marshall, where 
he graduated in 1875. While attending to his literary course he 
began the study of medicine with J. H. Montgomery, M. D., of 
Marshall, and entered the Michigan University at Ann Arbor in 
the fall of 1875 and graduated in June, 1877. Dr. Houston is 
well liked by all that know him, and as a physician is meeting 
with good success. He was married Dec. 25, 1878, to Minnie G. 
Ingersoll, a native of Marshall, Mich. They have 1 son, Earle. 
Dr. Houston makes a specialty of catarrhal, throat and lung 
diseases, in which he has more than ordinary success. 

William Hudson, lumberman, Saginaw City, was born at Kings- 
ton, Canada, Jan. 8, 1844, and is a son of John Hudson, lie came to 
this city in 1865, and the first year was employed by A. W. Wright; 
two years for Newton & Nobels, and the same length of time for 
Hill Bros. He then engaged in business for himself, and, in Com- 
pany with Robert Louden, has driven logs on the Chippewa during 
the springs of 1879, '80 and '81. He was married in 1871 to 



SAGINAW CITY. 669 

Elizabeth Green. The fruit of this union is 3 children — Charlotte 
M.. Fanny L., and William R. 

John L. Jackson, manufacturer of steam-engines, salt-well and 
mill machinery, castings, brass and composition boxes, S agi naw 
City. This well-known foundry is situated on the corner of Water 
and Jefferson street-, and was erected in 1880, and $5,000 has 
been subsequently expended in added improvements. The cost of the 
machinery was $8,000 making a total cost of $13,000. Employment 

given to 22 men — two in the blacksmith shop, seven in the 
foundry, two in the pattern rooms, and 11 in the machine shop. 
Mr. Jackson was born in Saginaw county. Aug. 19,1855, and is a 
sonofThomas L. and Veronica (Blatz) Jackson, residing in Sag- 
inaw City. lie received Ids education in this county, and at the 
age of 19 year- Learned the trade to which he has so successfully 
applied himself. On dan. 1. 1881, at St. Louis, Mich., he was 
uidted in marriage to Sadie Smith, a native of Michigan. 

Thomas /.. Jackson, grocery and provision dealer, Flat-Iron 
block. Saginaw, was born in Amsterdam, Holland, of English 
parents, Sept. 16, 1825. At the age of 13 he became a cabin boy 
on a vessel that sailed to the East Indies. He came to America 

jecond mate of the "Angelique" underthe noted Captain Samuel 
Samuels: and in 1852, became Captain of the brig, "Henry Nason. " 
Eis last voyage was from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. In 
t853 he came to this county, purchased a farm about five miles 
west of Saginaw, and farmed until 186A, when he was elected 
Treasurer of Saginaw county. This office he held for tw r o years, 
when he engaged in the grocery business on AVater street. In 
L869 he purchased the ground, and erected part of the Flat-iron 
Mock, at the junction of Cross Road and Washington street, where 
he keeps a full line of everything usually kept in a first-class gro- 
cery and provision store. 

He was married in 1853, to Miss Veronica Blatz, by whom lie 
has had 3 children; of these but 1 is living; viz.: John L., of 
Saginaw, and a patron of this work. 

Mr. Jackson has an adopted daughter, Mary. He was Superin- 
tendent of the County Poor for 10 years, and was chairman of 
the Board of Water Works for six year-. 

///ex. J/. James was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 27, 1837, 
and i> a son of Charles W. James. He was educated in Kenyon 
College, at Gambier, Knox Co., Ohio. He then read law in Cin- 
cinnati with Hon. Henry Stanberry. Entered the firm of Stallo & 
Tafel, forming a partnership with them under the firm name of 
Stallo. Tafel & dames. He remained in this firm for three years, 
when, in L864, he came to Easl Saginaw and practiced law there 
until 1881. He. however, removed his family to Saginaw in L870. 
He has rilled the offices of Circuil Court Commissioner for Saginaw 
county for two terms; Register in Bankruptcy since 1873, and is 
now City Attorney for Saginaw City; was married in 1862 to Miss 
Catharine Brawn, of Mount Vernon, Ohio. They have 3 children — 
Catharine, Benjamin S. and Sarah P. 



670 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mrs. C. Jasperson, dealer in embroidery and embroidered ma- 
terials, stamping and designing, worsteds, etc. The house was 
opened in December, 1879. She handles the best class of goods, 
which she buys exclusively from New York and Philadelphia. The 
store has a neat appearance and is the only one in Saginaw carrying 
goods in that line. Mrs. Jasperson is a daughter of George F. and 
Caroline Veenfleit, old pioneers of Saginaw county, who came here 
in 1848, and are residents of Blumfield tp. She is a widow of Win. 
Jasperson, a former resident of Saginaw, who was engaged in archi- 
tecture and real-estate business/and died Nov. 5, 1878. 

David Howell Jerome, governor of Michigan, .resi d e nc e Sag inaw, 
was born at Detroit, Mich., Nov. 17, 1829. His parents emigrated 
to Michigan from Trumansburg, Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1828, lo- 
cating at Detroit. His father died March 30, 1831, leaving 9 chil- 
dren. He had been twice married and 4 of the children living at 
the time of his death were grown up sons, the offspring of his lirst 
union. Of the 5 children by his second marriage, David II. was 
the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his widow moved 
back to New York, and settled in Onondaga county near Syracuse, 
where they remained until the fall of 1834, the 4 sons by the 
first wife continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall of 
1834 Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan, locating on a farm 
in St. Clair county. Here the Governor formed those habits of in- 
dustry and sterling integrity that have been so characteristic of the 
man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the district school, 
and in the acquisition of the fundamental branches of learning he 
displayed a precocity and an application which won for him the 
admiration of his teachers, and always placed him at the head of his 
classes. In the meantime he did chores on the farm, and was al- 
ways ready with a cheerful heart and willing hand to assist his 
widowed mother. The heavy labor of the farm was carried on by 
his two older brothers, Timothy and George, and when 13 years of 
age David received his mother's permission to attend school at the 
St. Clair Academy. While attending there he lived with Marcus 
H. Miles, now deceased, doing chores for his board, and the follow- 
ing winter performed the same service for James Ogden, also de- 
ceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome moved into the village of 
St. Clair, for the purpose of continuing her son in school. AVhile 
attending said academy one of his associate students was ex-Sena- 
tor Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate before the 
gubernatorial convention in 1880. He completed his education 
in the fall of his 16th year, and the following winter assisted his 
brother Timothy in hauling logs in the pine woods. The next sum- 
mer he rafted logs down the St. Clair river to Algonac.^In 1847 
M. H. Miles being Clerk in St. Clair county, and Volney A. Ripley 
Register of Deeds, David H.Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, 
remaining as such during 1848-'49, and receiving much praise from 
his employers and the people in general for the ability displayed in 



SAGINAW CITY. 671 

the discharge of his duties. He spent his summer vacation a 
clerical work on board the lake vessels. 

In l849-'50 he abandoned office work, and for the proper develop- 
ment of his physical system spent several months hauling logs. In 
the spring of 1850 hie brother "Tiff" and himself chartered the 
steamer " Chautauqua," and " Young Dave " became her master. 
A portion of the season the boat was engaged in the passenger and 
freight traffic between Port Huron and Detroit, but during the lat- 
ter part was used as a tow boat. At that time there was a serious 
obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clair Flats," between 
Lakes Huron and Erie, over which vessels could carry only about 
10,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Jerome conceived the idea of towing 
vessels from one lake to the other, and put his plan into operation. 
Through the influence of practical men, — among them the subject 
of this sketch, — Congress, under a Republican administration, re- 
moved the obstruction above referred to, and now vessels can pass 
them laden with 60,000 or 80,000 bushels of grain. 

During the season, the two brothers had succeeded in making a 
neat little sum of money by the summer's work, but subsequently 
lost it all on a contract to raise the " Gen. Scott," a vessel that had 
sunk in Lake St. Clair. David II. came out free from debt, but 
possessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the spring of 1851, he 
was clerk and acting master of the steamers " Franklin Moore " 
and "Ruby," plying between Detroit and Port Huron and Gode- 
rich. The following year he was clerk of the propeller " Princeton," 
running between Detroit and Buffalo. 

In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California, by way of the 
Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary success in selling goods in a 
new place of his selection, among the mountains near Marysville. 
Up remained there during the summer, and located the Live 
Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded millions to its own- 
ers, and is still a paying investment. He planned and put a tunnel 
600 feet into the mine, but when the water supply began to fail 
with the dry season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of 
1*53, and in December sailed from San Francisco for New York, 
arriving at his home in St. Clair county, about a year after his de- 
parture. During his absence his brother " Tiff " had located at 
Saginaw, and in 1851 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber 
operation in the Valley&pending considerable time in the northern 
part of the State locating and purchasing pine lands(j,In 1855 the 
brothers bought Black mer & Eaton's hardware and general sup- 
ply stores, at Saginaw, and David II. assumed the manage- 
ment of the business. From 1855 to 1873 he was extensively en- 
gaged in lumbering operations. ^ 

Mr. Jerome's ancestors were always opposed to slavery in every 
form, and he imbibed the love of liberty and independence. 
Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated for Alderman 
against Stewart 15. Williams, a rising young man, of strong 
Democratic principles. The ward was largely Democratic, but 



'672 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mr. Jerome was elected by a handsome majority. When the lie- 
publican party was born at Jackson, Mich., David H. Jerome was, 
though not a delegate to the convention, one of its "charter 
members." In 1862 he was commissioned by Gov. Austin Blair 
to raise one of the six regiments apportioned to the State of Michi- 
gan. Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held meetings at 
various points. The zeal and enthusiasm displayed by this ad- 
vocate of the Union awakened a feeling of patriotic interest in the 
breasts of many brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d 
Reg. Mich. Yol. Inf. was placed in the field, and subsequently 
gained for itself a brilliant record. 

In the fall of 1862 Mr. Jerome was nominated by the Republican, 
party for State Senator from the 26th district, Appleton Stevens, 
of Bay City, being his opponent. The contest was very exciting, 
and resulted in the triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was 
twice renominated by acclamation and elected both times by in- 
creased majorities, defeating George Lord, of Bay City, and Dr. 
Cheseman, of Gratiot county. On taking his seat in the Senate, he 
was appointed Chairman of the Committee on State Affairs, and 
was active in raising means and troops to carry on the war. He 
held the same position during his three terms of service, and intro- 
duced the bill creating the Soldier's Home at Harper Hospital, 
Detroit. K He was opposed to the bill authorizing municipal aid to 
railroad corporations, and sustained Gov. Crapo in his veto. He 
was actively interested in preserving swamp lands for use in local 
improvements, and was Chairman of the Committee on Salt, which 
commission succeeded in passing the bill creating the Salt Associ- 
ation of Michigan. 

(jHe was selected by Gov. Crapo as a military aid, and in 1865 was 
appointed a member of the State Military Board, and served as its 
president for eight consecutive years. In 1873 he was appointed 
by Gov. Bagley a member of the convention to prepare a new 
State Constitution, and was Chairman of the Committee on Finance. \ 
Although having previously but little experience in such matters, 
and none of the diplomatic skill which had characterized the other 
members of the commission in their various official duties for 
several years, yet he brought into view great force of character and 
an unlimited amount of common sense and earnestness, and was 
recognized as one of the leading members of that body. 
'Jin 1875 Mr. Jerome was appointed a member of the Board of 
Indian Commissioners. In 1876 he was chairman of a commis- 
sion to visit Chief Joseph, the Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an 
amicable settlement of all existing difficulties. The commission 
went to Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho, a 
distance of 600 miles up the Columbia river. ^From his many 
interviews with the Indians, Mr. Jerome became satisfied that the 
true policy was to enact such measures as would result in the In- 
dians selecting lands in severalty on their various reservations for 
their own use, and have the remainder sold for their benefit, thus 



SAGINAW CITY. 673 

opening up the country tor settlement by the whites. This would 
apoD civilize the red man. and also make him self-supporting. 
' At the Republican State Convention, convened at Jackson, in 
^iugnst, 1880) Mr. Jerome was placed in the field for nomination, 
and on the 5th day of the month received the highest honor the 
convention could confer on any one. His opponent was Frederick 
M. Elolloway, ot' Hillsdale county, who was supported by the 
Democratic and Greenback parties. The State was thoroughly 
canvassed by both parties, and when the polls were closed on the 
evening of election day, it was found that David H. Jerome had 
been selected by the voters of the Wolverine State to occupy the 
highest seat within their gift. )C 

The following tribute to Gov. Jerome, by an intimate acquaint- 
ance, is well worthy of record: "Mr. Jerome is a man of great 
force of character, careful and deliberate in the formation of his 
opinions, but steadfast in them when formed, and persevering in 
carrying them out in practice. He is kind and genial in his social 
nature, and well calculated to exercise a powerful and genial influ- 
ence over the popular mind. He is every day the same courteous 
and cultivated gentleman. He is ever keenly alive to every scheme 
aiming at the moral, intellectual, and material advancement of his 
fellows, and ever ready with labor and money to co-operate. He 
deserves and enjoys the distinction of being a pleasant, social gen- 
tleman, a model business man, and a public-spirited and exemplary 
citizen, who displays in his public capacity all the virtues that 
adorn and beautify his daily life." For portrait see page 131. 

James Jerome, of the firm of T. Jerome & Co., was born in St. 
Clair Co., Mich., and is a son of Timothy Jerome, of Saginaw. 
Pie came with his parents to Saginaw in 1S54. There were Indians 
here at that time, and he had Indian boys for playmates. Saginaw 
was all in woods back of Water st. Mr. Jerome graduated at the 
( oinmercial College at Detroit, and afterward sailed on the Saginaw 
river for his father, who then had a line of steamers running upon 
that river. For the last 15 years he has been engaged in lumbering. 
Bis wife was Miss Cora L. Sabine, and they have 2 sons and 1 
daughter. 

Keeler <& Hogeboom, druggists, Saginaw City. This house was 
opened Nov. 15, l s ?.>. in the Commercial block, on Court st, by 
William II. Keeler, and John G-. Hogeboom. On the 25th of 
February, L880, they were burned out by fire, meeting with a loss 
of $1,000, and in three months* time anew building was erected, 
in which they returned to their former location. Mr. Keeler is a 
practical druggist, and learned his business at Dover, England, 
where he was born Jan. 18, 1848. He practiced his profession 
there for 11 years and a half. He came to America in 1871, locat- 
ing at Monroe. Mich., one year, and then came to Saginaw City. 
His mother died in England, in 1860, and his father, Henry 
Keeler, is now living there, engaged in gardening and the cultiva- 
tion of flowers. 



674 * HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mr. Hogeboom, the junior member of the firm, was born at 
Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1855. He is a son of Barent Hogeboom, 
who died at Kalamazoo in 1867, and Marcia (Goodridge) Hogeboom, 
who also died there in 1863. Both members of this firm are young, 
energetic and enterprising, and are doing a prosperous business. 

Wm. K. Kerby, a grandson of a Mrs. Smith who was a full- 
blooded Mohawk Indian, was born in Canada. In 1861 he came 
to Saginaw and in 1862 made a permanent settlement. In 1866 he 
returned to Canada and subsequently to Saginaw and built the 
Kerby House, of which he is still proprietor. Mr. Kerby is a strictly 
honest business man and is doing a good business. His hotel is a 
first-class house, and it can be safely said that no other house in 
Saginaw Valley of its size does as much business as the Kerby 
House. 

Kinney & Camj), jewelers, Saginaw City. Mr. Kinney, the sen- 
ior member of the firm, was born in Otsego Co.,N. Y., March 20, 
1831 \ is a son of Samuel and Olive (Bagg) Kinney; father died in 
Chenango Co., 1ST. Y., in 1856, and mother at Walworth, Wis., in 
1877; subject of sketch received his education in ]STew York; at the 
age of 17 years, he learned the carriage trade; when he was 20 years 
old, he learned the jeweler's trade, and finished it with J. & H. C. 
Walter, of Richfield Springs, Otsego Co., N. Y. ; in 1862, enlisted 
in Co. G, 114th Reg., N. Y. Yol. Inf., and served till the close of 
the war; was wounded at battle of Opequon, Ya. ; after close of 
war, he went into business in Madison Co., N". Y. ; came to Sag- 
inaw City in 1874, and since that time has been in business; was 
married in August, 1865, to Ann E. St. John, of Madison Co., N. 
Y., and a native of that State. This firm always have on hand a 
fine assortment of goods, and are having a good class of trade. 

Jacob Knapp, Representative from the first district of Saginaw 
county, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Oct. 14, 1846. He 
received a common-school education in the schools of his native 
village, and came to this country in May, 1866, and settled first in 
Detroit, but in January, 1868, he removed to Saginaw City, where 
he has since been engaged in the manufacture of cigars. He was 
first elected Alderman in April, 1877, and re-elected in 1879. He 
served on all the important committees in the council, and was 
chairman of the committee on finance during the last year of his 
second term. He was elected to the House of Representatives over 
his opponents by the following vote: Jacob Knapp (Dem.), 1,696; 
Robert J. Birne'y (Rep.), 1,511; Eli C. Andre (Nat), 195. 

In January, 1868, Mr. Knapp commenced the business of manu- 
facturing cigars in this city, employing at first from four to five 
men and boys, which number has increased to an average of 12 
steady hands, and the business now aggregates $25,000 a year, sales 
being made chiefly within a range of a hundred miles of Saginaw, 
and the trade, at first mainly retail, is now mainly of a jobbing 
character. The current brands at this date are " Glorious Republic" 
and " U. C. M." They are all " upon honor," and because buyers 
know this they like to handle them, and hence the comparative 



SAGINAW (ITY. 675 

increase of the business from year to year. This is peculiarly a 
Saginaw institution, and from this line of practical and unstrained 
individual efforts are coming the best results every where in the 
way of " small manufactures." His business has grown from 
102,300 cigars manufactured in 1868 to 408,000 in 1ST". 

August F. IT A'/<fuse, restaurant; born near Berlin, Prussia, 
Jan. i s , 1 s lM. and was reared and educated at Berlin. At an early 
lie entered business with his uncle, and continued with him up 
to the time he came to America. July 16, 1852, he landed in New 
York, and in the fall of the same year came to Saginaw county, 
settling on a farm in Tittabawassee tp., where he remained 
13 years. For two years he kept a boarding house at the 
Wayne county salt blocks, and then came to Saginaw and opened 
a restaurant and saloon on Water street, opposite where the Macki- 
naw bridge stands, which he ran for two years, when he was burned 
out by fire, and removed to the corner of Hamilton and Mackinaw 
streets, operating there two years. In September. 1870, he fitted 
up his present place on the corner of Court and Hamilton streets, 
and is now doing a first-class business. He is the one who intro- 
duced oysters in the city as a regular trade, and keeps them in 
large varieties the year round. His rooms are kept up in a good 
and attractive manner, and he has on hand a fine assortment of 
all kinds of refreshments and cigars, etc. 

Mr. Krause was married at Berlin in 1848 to Augusta Pohl, who 
came to this country four years after her husband did. They have 
a family of 6 children — Clara and Augusta, both married and 
residing at Berlin; Mary, married to Henry Croll, a resident of 
the city; Paul, August and Emma, residing at home, and one child, 
deceased. He is a member of the Teutonia and Knights of Honor, 
which societies he has been connected with for some time. 

Peter S. Krogman/n^ born at Hollstein, near Hamburg, Ger- 
many. May 1, 1832, where he was brought up and received his' 
education. July !», 1855, he came to America, and landed in New 
York, where he remained for two months and a half, working at 
the shoemaker trade, which he learned in the old country. He then 
came to Michigan and settled at Birmingham, Oakland Co., where 
he remained until Sept. 13, 1856, when he came to Saginaw. In 1858 
he opened a shop of his own and worked at his trade until 1867. 
In 1868 he started a liquor store, and keeps on hand a full supply 
of wine, beer and cigars. He first opened on Water street, and in 
1873 moved to his present place on Hamilton street. Sept. 21, 
l^t;:;. he was married to Matilda Wengutt, a native of Germany, 
and they have 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters, residing at 
home. 

Lucix* Lacy, farmer, sec. 21, was born at Logansport. Ind., Sept. 
7, l s 42. His parents, Ezra and Gertrude (Bower) Lacy, came to 
this county in 1850; the former built the old "Exchange Hotel," 
i>n the corner of Ames and Water streets, Saginaw City. Mr. Lacy 
is a mason by trade, and in 1864 enlisted in Co. C, 29th Regt. 



676 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mich. Vol. Inf., serving to the close of the war. He resides on a 
part of the old homestead, and was married Oct. 10, 1862, to Emma, 
daughter of Capt. A. R. and Hannah Swarthout, a native of this 
county. They have one child, Cora B., born Nov. 28, 1863, and 
now teaching her second term of school. 

Peter Lome was born in Aureliiis, 1ST. Y., April 23, 1823. 
His parents removed to Geneva Co., Ohio, in 1837, and in 1814 
came to Flint, Mich. In 1846 he married Miss Charlotte 
Perry, and removed to Saginaw. He worked at the cabinet-maker's 
trade one year, and then worked at the carpenter and joiner's 
trade until 1852. In 1850 he was elected Town Clerk, and in 1S51 
was made Town Treasurer. He went to California in 1852, leaving 
his wife and 2 children in Saginaw. He went all the way on horse- 
back, and on the same horse. He started with one other man, but 
they were afterward joined by four others. His partner died on 
the way, of cholera. They stopped at Salt Lake and Hot Springs ; 
at the latter place they recruited themselves and horses for one 
week, and then proceeded. He mined for some time while in Cali- 
fornia, and also worked at his trade. He became disabled from a 
fall in October, 1852, and in 1853 returned to Saginaw. Here he 
worked for three years as a millwright, when he became engineer 
for Miller, Paine & Wright. This situation he held for four years. 
In 1864 he was elected Supervisor for Saginaw, which office he 
filled for four years. He began lumbering in 1876 with William 
C. Bnsch, which business they still follow. 

Frank Lawrence was born in the city of New Orleans, Dec. 27, 
1847, and removed to the city of Detroit in 1857. He received a 
common-school education and when 13 years old entered the 
employ of Frederick Stevens, druggist, of Detroit, and served an 
apprenticeship of four years in the drug business; then contin- 
ued in the drug business until the fall of 186S, when he located 
in East Saginaw and entered the employ of Webber & Smith, who 
were then preparing an abstract of title to Saginaw county. He 
was in their employ two years, and he then engaged in the lumber 
business in the employ of W. R. Burt & Co., with whom he re- 
mained six years, until he was elected to the office of Register of 
Deeds for Saginaw county, which office he held four years. Since 
leaving the Register office, Mr. Lawrence has engaged quite exten- 
sively in the abstract and real-estate business, having complete 
abstracts of title to Saginaw and Huron counties, and has an office 
in Saginaw City, over Jay Smith's drug store, and also in East Sagi- 
naw, over Wheat's music store. He was married Jan. 12, 1872, to 
Mary E. Lathrop, of Saginaw City, and has 2 children, named 
Grace E. and Cora A. His residence is in East Saginaw. 

Chas. A. Lee was born at Hull, Ottawa Co., Province of 
Quebec, Aug. 18, 1810; his father, Alonzo Lee, was a native of Ver- 
mont, his ancestors having emigrated there at a very early day. At 
the age of 16 Mr. Lee entered the office of E. B. Eddy, match- 
manufacturer, where he remained until 1861. He then went to 



SAGINAW ( TIT. 677 

Winchendon, Mass., and was in the employ of Murdock & Co., 
wooden-ware manufacturers, until 1864; he then came to Grand 
Rapids, in this State, and worked for Berkey Bros. & Co. until 
L867. He then engaged in business for himself, manufacturing 
Faucet's curtain rolls; and disposing of his business there he 
Came to Saginaw in 1873, and took charge of the Saginaw Barrel Com- 
pany's works, which position he held until January last. lie is at 
present a stockholder, and is superintending the box department. 
Mr. Lee was married March 7, 1863, at Fitz William, N. II., to 
Miss Maggie J. Borland, of Ottawa, Ont., by whom he had 5 
children, of whom there are 4 living — 3 boys and 1 daughter. 
His wife died March 21, 1874, and he married May 19. 1875, 
Fannie C. Braley, daughter of R. D. Braley, of Saginaw, by whom 
he has 3 boub. 

Newton D. Lee, physician and surgeon, Saginaw City, was born 
at Peru, Mmi-imw Co., O., Sept. 20, L823. His parents were x\sa 
and Sarah (Meacham) Lee, both of English ancestry; the former 
died at Central College, Franklin Co., ()., Aug. 10, 1833, and the 
latter at Peru, O., -July L5, L872. Dr. Lee's early life was passed 
at Peru, Columbus and Central College, O., and at the age of 20 
years he began the study of medicine, and four years later grad- 
uated from the medical college at Willoughby, O. He first 
came to Michigan in 1847, but located in Saginaw county in July, 
1850, where he hassince practiced his profession. He was united 
in marriage. Nov. 2, L853, to Mary, daughter of Eleazer and Azu- 
bah L ( Miller) Jewett. early pioneers of this county; the former 
passed away from earth in 1875, but the latter survives, at the ad- 
vanced age of 75 years, and is the oldest living settler of Saginaw 
county. Mrs. Lee was the first white child born within the borders 
of this comity, the date of her birth being Feb. 11, 1834. Of their 
."> children. 3 are living — Gertrude, Edgar J. and Jessie. The 
two daughters are teachers in the public schools of Saginaw City, 
and the son is engaged in the lumber business. One son, Wal- 
lace, and an infant, are deceased. Dr. Lee has an adopte 
• laughter. ( atherine Green, who is teaching school at Ionia, Ionia 
Mich. In early life Dr. Lee possessed more than ordinary 
physical vigor and strength, but the wearisome and never-ceasing 
duties of a physician have somewhat impaired his health, and 
that dreaded disease, rheumatism, has fastened itself upon liis once 
healthy frame: yet his mental faculties are as bright as in days of 
yore. He was Director of the Poor, County Physician, a member 
of the < iiy ( Jouncil, the second Recorder of Saginaw City, and is 
now serving the citizens as City Physician and County Coroner. 
He was largely instrumental in preparing the charter of Saginaw 
City, and has always lent a willing hand and heart to all matters 
pertaining to the social, religious and educational advancement of 
baginaw county. 

Win. D. Lewis, carriage and wagon manufacturer; born at 
Ftica. X. V., Dec. 6, 183d, where he was raised and educated, 
lb learned Ins trade, that of a wheelwright, at his native place, 

41 



C>78 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

and May 1, 1854, went to Detroit, where he remained five years. 
"While there, he built the steamer " Starr," which ran between East 
Saginaw and Saginaw. He came to Saginaw in 1865, and organized 
the ferry line, and built two other boats, the " S. R. Kirby" and 
" Starr No. 2, "which were in operation between these two points for 
six years. In 1869 he organized his present business, and built 
his shops at corner Bond and Monroe sts. Since its first construc- 
tion he has made several additions to it and greatly increased 
the working capacity of his business. He was married Jan. 15, 

1850, to Miss Elizabeth Edick, of Oswego Co., N. Y., and they have 
2 children living, a son and daughter. InJ.868 he was elected Street 
Commissioner and held the office for one year. 

Thomas Madill, druggist, Saginaw City, was born at Exeter, 
Huron Co., Province of Ontario, May 30, 1859. He is a son of 
William and Elizabeth (McCann) Madill, natives of Ireland. They 
came to Saginaw City in 1866, but subsequently removed to Mid- 
land, Mich., where they reside at present. Thomas was reared 
to manhood at Midland, receiving a common-school education at 
Saginaw City, and the former place. In 1871 he entered the drug 
house of 1ST. J. Andrews & Co., of Midland, with whom he re- 
mained one year. He then entered the employ of Anderson Bros., 
and four years later came to Saginaw City. He was prescription 
clerk for J, Smith for one year, and filled the same position for 
"William Moll for a like period. In 1880 he took full charge of 
the newly established drug house of C. Kinney & Co., and April 
22, 1881, purchased the stock of his employers. Mr. Madill is 
an enterprising young man, and well deserves the success that has 
crowned his manly efforts. He is the orignator of two or three 
excellent remedies for diseases, and his trade in these compounds 
is increasing with wonderful rapidity. 

Solomon Malt, farmer and brick manufacturer, on sec. 18, was 
born in England, Aug. 14, 1835. His parents are Christopher 
and Mary Malt, of English birth. Mr. Malt came to America in 

1851, and for many years was delivery agent of the American 
Union Express Company at Buffalo, N. Y. In 1865 he settled in 
this county and at present manufactures about 500,000 brick per 
vear, employing some 14 persons. He owns a good farm and has 
been elected Township Treasurer. He was married at Buffalo, N. 
Y., June 13, 1861, to Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Fannie 
Parker. There have been 6 children born to them, 4 of whom 
are living — Fanny L., Sarah E., Thomas and Solomon C. The 
deceased are Ellen and Maggie. Mr. Malt raised an adopted 
daughter, who is now married, and resides in Canada. 

J. 8 Martin, proprietor livery, sale and boarding stable. This 
liver v was purchased from J. J. Harve} T in 1871, and was located 
on the corner of Water and Cass streets, where it remained six 
months and was then removed to Adams street, where for nine 
years it was located. In July, 1881, Mr. Martin changed the stock 
to his present quarters on corner of Hamilton and Ames streets, 
having everything in fine order and keeping a first-class livery. 



SAGINAW OTTY. 679 

He has on hand from eight to twelve single and four double rigs. 
On May 16, 1881, he opened a coupe line for the convenience of 
the public, which forms a fine feature of the livery. The value of 
the entire stock is about $7,500. Mr. Martin was born in Oxford Co., 
Province oi Ontario, Canada, in 1848, and came to Saginaw City May 
23, 1868. He is a sou of W. H. and Ann Elizabeth Martin; father 
a native of New York, and living in Oxford county, Canada, and 
mother, native of Nova Scotia, and died on the homestead in 1850. 
Mr. Martin is the youngest of 7 children. He was united in 
marriage, March 5, 1S74, to Emma J., daughter of William H. 
Sweet, an old resident of Saginaw City. Of their 2 children, 
1 is living. 

George R. Mason was born in Toronto, Ontario, May 4, 1845. 
He is a son of Samuel Mason, a native of Canada. Mr. Mason 
learned the carriage-making trade with one Mr. "William Dixson. 
In 1870 Mr. M. came to Saginaw and followed his trade with Mr. 
J. II. Benjamin until 1878, when he established a carriage factory. 
This he ran till 1880, then sold to Mr. Benjamin, for whom he is 
now superintendent. Mr. Mason married Miss Nellie E. Perry, 
daughter of Seymour Perry, resident of Grand Blanc, Genesee 
Co., Mich., and a pioneer of' that place. Mr. Perry is a son of 
Edraond Perry, the first settler of Genesee county. 

Colin McBratnie, merchant, Saginaw City, w T as born in Scot- 
land, May 13, 182S. There were 12 children in the family, 8 sons 
and 4 daughters. Three died in infancy, and the remainder grew 
to mature years. Of the sons, Charles gave up his life at the battle 
of Gettysburg; William is a merchant of Hemlock City; George is 
a member of the firm of Parker & McBratnie; Andrew owns a farm 
in Richmond tp.; one daughter is the wife ofCapt. C. H. Jewell, 
of Heed City, Mich., and the other one married Mr. Parker, a resi- 
dent of this county. Colin accompanied his brother William to 
America in the spring of 1851, locating at Saginaw City, and 
worked by the month on a farm until the arrival of his mother 
and the remainder of the family, in the fall of 1852. They then 
bought a farm near Tittabawassee river, which is now owned by the 
youngest son, George. Colin was married Feb. 26, 1856, to Agnes 
McCnlloch, daughter of Hugh McCulloch, who came from Scot- 
land and located on the Tittabawassee river, in 1834. Mr. 
McHratnie and wife have 5 children — John A. and Hugh, both assist- 
ing their father in his business, and Elizabeth, Mary and William, 
attending the public schools. Mr. McBratnie purchased his fa- 
ther-in-law's homestead, after the latter's death, where he resided until 
l v 7tl, but subsequently sold the larger part of it and now resides 
within the city limits. 

James McCarty (deceased), born at Roxbury, Mass., Nov. 8. ,1815, 
a son of Edward and Mary McCarty, natives of Ireland. Thev 
came to Saginaw county in 1830, followed four years later by 
James, in 1834. His early days were spent on a farm, as was the 
most of his life. A farm was bought near the Tittabawassee river 



680 HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

bj r his parents, the same one now owned by Edward McCarty. In- 
184:4: he was married to Sophia Swarthout, a daughter of Captain 
Swarthont, a late resident of Saginaw tp.; entering upon a new life, 
he settled on a farm of his own, situated five miles west on the 
.Midland road, where he resided and became one of the most promi- 
nent men ofthetp. For over 10 years he held the office of Treasurer 
and was Justice of the Peace for several years. He was the father 
of 8 children — Edward R., Anthonie, William, Nelson, Clara, 
Mary, Anna and Maggie. On the 14th day of February, 1879, he 
died, and was buried on the farm. His widow still lives on the 
homestead. 

Thomas McCarty (deceased), one of the pioneers of Northern 
Michigan and first settlers of Saginaw county, died at the residence 
of his brother Edward McCarty in the tp. of Tittabawassee. Mr. 
Mc Carfy had enjoyed but indifferent health for the past two years, 
but until within a few days of his death his situation was not con- 
sidered at all critical, and his physicians indulged strong hopes of 
his entire recovery. Mr. McCarty had been a resident of Saginaw 
county just 25 years on the day of his death. In company 
with his father he emigrated from Boston, Mass., of which 
place he was a native, to Michigan, and with ax and pack on his 
shoulder trod an almost unbroken forest from Detroit to this sec- 
tion. After surveying the country he settled down in the tp. of 
Tittabawassee, and commenced his career as a farmer, which he 
pursued until his decease. He had seen much public life and had 
been repeatedly chosen by his fellow townsmen to represent their 
interests in the County Board, and in 1850 he was the nominee of 
the Democracy of the county for Representative to the State Leg- 
islature, to which office he was triumphantly elected, and served 
his constituency in a manner very acceptable to them and creditable 
to himself. His memory will long be cherished by the people of 
Saginaw county. 

Robert McLean, assistant engineer of water works, was born 
in New York, June 3, 1833, a son of John and Nancy (Fleming) 
McLean, formerly from Scotland, and came to New York about 
1829, and to Saginaw in April, 1846. His mother died in 1858, 
and his father in 1862. Mr. McLean was brought up on a farm 
until lie was 20 years old, and then for 20 years worked at car- 
pentering and millwrighting. He was Street Commissioner and 
Superintendent of the Water Works for six years, and in Novem- 
ber, 1878, he entered the water works as engineer, and has filled 
this position from that time. In 1850 he was married to Caroline 
Tance, a native of Rochester, N. Y., and an early settler in Sag- 
inaw county. They have 6 children residing in the city. 

Benjamin McLeMan, a prominent farmer of Saginaw tp., was 
born in Grafton Co., N. H., Oct. 18, 1813, and is a son of John 
and Dorothy (Varnum) McLellan, of Scotch descent. Mr. McL. 
came to this county Nov. 17, 1834, and now owns 224 acres of 
land cm sec. 19. He was married Feb. 12, 1845, to Emeline, 



SAGINAW CITY. 681 



laughter of Zacbariah and Elizabeth (Whitney) Palmer, natives 
>f New York. Of the !» children sent to them, 6 survive — Charles, 



ch 
of 

Prank, Clara, Ella, wife of 'lames Slocum (they have 1 child, 
Mabel E. I, Willie and John B. The deceased are Amanda, Nel- 
son and Jennie E. 

David McLeod was born in North Scotland, Feb. 14, 1833. He 
came by way of Quebec in 1852. He took a tour through Canada 
and New York, and then settled in Toronto, where he remained 
until 1855. He then accepted a situation as steward on a vessel 
tor live years. He then went to Ottawa river and ran a saw and 
grist mill, and shingle mill for some years. In 1865 he came to 
Saginaw, and worked at the different mills until 1876, when he 
established a shingle-mill of his own, which is described elsewhere 
in this work, lie was married in 1853, to Miss Annie Knill. Thej r 
have hail 8 children, of whom 6 are living, viz.: David J., Edward 
A., Jennett E., Mollie, Allie. and Reuben. 

Francis McMarm, farmer and gardener, on sec. 17, was horn in 
Rochester, N. Y., April 3, 1839, and is a son of John and Nancy 
(Owens) McMann, natives of Scotland. In 1862 Mr. M. enlisted 
in Co. F, 140th Jla^. N. Y. Zouaves, and served till the close of 
the war. He came to this county in 1865, and now owns a good 
farm. He was Commissioner of Highways, and is at present Over- 
seer of the Poor. He was married at Detroit, Mich., in 1866, to 
Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Abigail (McGregor) Hart, who 
was Ixn-n in New York in 1S36. They have 1 child, Marv F., 
born April 20, 1872. 

William II. JfePhee, merchant tailor, on Washington st., was 
born in Ontario, Canada, in 1846. He began his trade there, and 
finished it in this city. During the war, he enlisted in Co. C, 179th 
Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., in 1863/and served till 1865. In 1865 he 
came to Saginaw City, entered the employ of W. A. Carpenter, 
then the leading merchant tailor, and was with him four years. In 
1^7<», he went into business for himself, and has been successfully 
engaged since. He moved to. his present location in the fall of 
1878. He was united in marriage, in 1868, to Mary Connelly, a 
native of Cleveland, O. They have 8 children living, all residing 
at home. 

Henry Miller, County Sheriff, was born in Germany, July 5, 
1831, a son of Frederick and Catharine Miller, who died there. He 
came to America in 1849, and located at Princeton, N. J., where 
he remained until 1851. He then came to Saginaw and followed 
carpentering and joining until the breaking out of the war, in 1861. 
Mr. Miller raised a company, which was entered as Co. K, 5th Mich. 
Inf., and had charge of it for two years and three months, when he 
was wounded and returned home. He was in the battles of Will- 
iamsburg, Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg, Seven Days, and at Harper's 
Ferry. After became home he was promoted to Major, but was not 
able to return. He took contracts for building up to 1867, when 
he was elected Sheriff. Served for four years. From 1872 to 1875 



682 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

he was City Supervisor; re-elected again in 1879, and resigned to 
fill the office of Sheriff again, elected in 1880. He was married 
May 6, 1854, to Matilda Low, a native of Ireland. They have 5 
children; the oldest, James, was married to Sarah Ogelby, and re- 
sides in the city. 

Ron. John Moore was born in the city of London, England, 
July 7, 1826. At the age of four years his parents removed with 
him to the State of New York. In 1834 he came to Michigan and 
resided upon a farm near Milford, Oakland Co., until the spring 
of 1816, when he commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. 
Augustus C. Baldwin, then of Milford. In the spring of 1848 he 
entered the law office of Lathrop & Duffield, of Detroit, and in 
October of that year was admitted an attorney of the Supreme 
Court at a session of that body held in Pontiac. Mr. Moore com- 
menced the practice of his profession soon afterward in Fentonville, 
Genesee Co., and remained there until the spring of 1851, when 
he removed to Saginaw, where he has ever since resided, engaged 
in professional business. The Judge was Prosecuting Attorney for 
Saginaw county from 1855 to 1858 inclusive; he was also Mayor 
of Saginaw City from 1861 to 1863 inclusive, and a member of the 
Board of Education for about 15 years prior to 1870, when he de- 
clined to serve longer, his time being too much occupied with busi- 
ness of his profession. In 1868 Mr. Moore was the Democratic 
candidate for Governor of the State; in opposition to Governor 
Baldwin, and received 30,000 more votes than any Democratic can- 
didate for that office had ever received prior to that date. A va- 
cancy occurred in the office of Judge of the 10th Circuit, by the 
resignation of Judge Sutherland, Jan. 1, 1871, and a meeting of 
the bar of that circuit was held shortly afterward, and Mr. Moore 
was requested by a unanimous vote to accept the office, a deserved 
compliment to his legal ability and standing in the profession. The 
members of the bar and the leading men of the circuit united, 
irrespective of party distinctions, in requesting Governor Baldwin 
to appoint Mr. Moore to the office, on the ground of his eminent 
ability and fitness for the position. He was accordingly appointed, 
on the 1st of February, 1871. The following year a special elec- 
tion was held, at which the Republican and Democratic parties 
united in Judge Moore's nomination, and he was elected without 
opposition. He continued to faithfully discharge the duties of the 
office until 1874, when, on tiie 1st day of February, he resigned, and 
has retired to private life. The business of his circuit, measured by 
the magnitude and variety of the interests involved, was second to 
none in the State, and was administered by him, it is believed, with 
entire satisfaction to the profession and the public. When called 
to the bench he stood at the head of his profession in the circuit, 
and was in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice. In the surrender 
of his handsome income from this source for the pitiful salary of 
his office, Mr. Moore displayed a public spirit as commendable as 
it is rare. As a Judge he was distinguished for his quick and clear 



SAGINAW CITY. 6S3 

discrimination, keen powers of analysis, thorough legal knowledge, 
and Bound judgment in the application of the law, as well as prompt- 
and impartiality in the discharge of his official duties. The 
Judge began life with habits of industry, energy and good character, 
and from this beginning he has risen to a high station in life, hav- 
ing occupied a place among the business men of his profession in 
the State for many years, and been identified with nearly all the 
important litigations in his section. 

In politics he is known as a Democrat, and highly esteemed for 
his always moderate and independent course. During the war he 
did as much as any person in his part of|the State to unite popular 
sentiment in support of President Lincoln's war policy, without 
regard to men or measures. 

/:'. ('. Xt-K'rll (!• Co.. dealers in books, wall paper, tationery, 
etc., Saginaw City. This house began business Sept. 1, 1861, on 
Water St., remaining there until Jan. 1, 1860, when they moved, 
to the Bauer block. In 1871 Mr. Newell bought his present 
fine store and moved it to his present location. He was born in 
Wayne Co., X. Y., April IT, 1830, and came to Michigan in 1838, 
locating first in Oakland county, near Holly, where he remained 
until December, 1851. He then came to Saginaw City, engaging 
in pile-driving on the river for one year. In 1851 he began the 
study of law, with J. G. Sutherland, and was admitted to the bar 
in April, 1857, practicing his profession until he became engaged 
in his present business. He was married Jan. 1, 1853, to Lucretia 
Eartwell, ofPontiac, Midi., a native of this State, who died in 
September, 1854. He was married again in May, 1857, to Mary 
E. Probasco, a native of New York. They have 5 children living 
— Frank C, Fred B., Flora B., Ernest and Nellie D., all residing 
at home. Mr. Newell was City Attorney for two years — from 
April 1, 1857. to April 1, 1859. He is Secretary and Treasurer of 
the Michigan Curtain Roller Co., and is at present Treasurer of 
the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, of 
Michigan. 

Geo. B. Noble, of the firm of Green & Noble, lumbermen, Sagi- 
naw, was born in Washington Co., X. Y., Jan. 5, 1829. He 
was brought up ou a farm, and educated in the common schools. 
Be came to St. Clair Co., Michigan, in 1852, and to Saginaw in 
L855, where he immediately engaged in lumbering as foreman for 
.1. F. IJust & Co. He remained with his employers for five years, 
when he formed a co-partnership with II. .V. Newton, and engaged 
in the same business. This he continued for about the space of 
five year-, when they took W. S. Green as a partner, they after- 
ward buying out Newton's interests. 

Mr. Noble owns large tracts of pine lands in this State, and is 
constantly engaged in taking off the pine. He was married in 1863 
to Miss Harriet M. Simpkins, by whom he has had <> children; of 
these 1 are living, viz.: Willy, Alice. (Trace and Jessie. 

Edward O'Donnell, farmer, sec. 2; P. 0., Saginaw City; was 
born in Ireland,in 1829; parents were Patrick and Elizabeth O'Don- 



68± HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

nell, the former of whom died March 7, 1S53; the latter resides 
with her son; subject ot sketch came to America in 1852, locating 
in Monroe Co.. N. Y., and two years later in this county; has been 
Justice of the Peace of Saginaw tp. for 20 years; is its present 
Supervisor; was Treasurer four terms; had no property when he 
came to tills county, but by steady toil and good management has 
accumulated a farm of 422 acres; was married Nov. 5, 1855, to Alice, 
daughter of Patrick and Anna (Hughes) Fob ley; wife was born in 
Ireland, in 1833. Of 7 children sent to them, 5 are living — Elizabeth, 
wife of Robert Lynch; Alice, Martha, Rosa and Mary. The deceased 
are Susan and Mary A. Mr. O'Donnell and wife are members of 
the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. O'Donnell's portrait appears in 
this volume, on page 185. 

Andrew Oliver, proprietor of the Turkish Bath House, Saginaw 
City, is a native of New York. He came to Iosco Co., Mich., 
in 1859, and engaged in lumbering and fishing. During the 
Rebellion he served in the U. S. army. He came to Saginaw in 
1878, and took charge of the bath rooms, which had been established 
by Chas. G. Carrao. His baths are very curative in their nature, 
and have proven better than any medicine in hundreds of cases. 
Chronic diseases are speedilj r cured at his bath rooms. This bath 
consists of two epidarium rooms and one manipulating room, be- 
sides a large cistern or vat for plunge bath. 

Sylvester C. J. Ostrom, M. D., Saginaw City, received his medi- 
cal education at Rolf Medical College, of Toronto, Canada, and is a 
graduate of the Michigan University, Ann Arbor, and the Chicago 
Medical College. He came to Saginaw City in 1871, and has been 
practicing medicine since. 

Alderman B. Paine, a prominent lumberman of Saginaw, was 
born in Orleans Co., New York, Dec. 11, 1838, and is a son ot 
the next mentioned. He came with his parents to Calhoun Co., 
Mich., in 1842, who returned to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1843. He 
came to Saginaw in 1855, and worked with his father in the lumber- 
ing business. In 1861 he purchased the old Gordon and Packard 
shingle mill in East Saginaw, and the following year sank a salt 
well there, and built the old Kettle block. In 1863 he rebuilt it 
into a saw-mill, which he ran half a day when it took fire and was 
entirely destroyed, with no insurance. He then sold out to E. 
JBriggs, and resumed lumbering with his father. In 1865 he had 
accumulated enough to purchase again, and this time purchased 
the Taylor Mill, which he ran one season and sold to Henry Thomp- 
son. In 1872 he repurchased the same mill, which he ran until 
1873, when it burned. Mr. Paine met with severe reverses in 1873-'4 
during the financial crisis, but has again risen, and stands among 
the wealthy lumbermen of Saginaw. He was married Dec. 27, 1862, 
to Miss Jennie Fraser, by whom he has had 7 children; of those, 6 
are living, viz.: William F., Valorous A., Hattie, Bessie, Susie and 
Ralph. Mrs. Paine is an active member of the Baptist Church. 



SAGINAW CITY. 685 

Valorous A. Paine (deceased) whs born in Otsego Co., New York, 
July 22, 1813, and was a son of Asa Paine, who removed with his 
family to the Holland Land Purchase, in Western New York, in 
1817. In 1833 he went to Albion, N. Y., and clerked in the 
store of Aldermau Butts, who afterward became his father-in-law. 
lie afterward, in company with Mr. Clark S. Potter, bought Mr. 
Butt's stock of goods, and carried on the business for several years. 
He came to Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich., in 1846, but only re- 
mained one year, when he returned as far as Cleveland, Ohio, and 
located within 21 miles of that place, and sold goods in the same 
building in which Brown, the noted counterfeiter, once carried on 
his work of coining his bogus money; and be it to Mr. Paine's 
credit, he was the means of bringing that noted rascal to justice 
for the first time. Mr. Paine remained but a few months in that 
place when he removed to Cleveland, and there engaged iu traffic 
for 10 years. He rented and operated the elevators there during 
that time, and in 1848, in company with others, established a lum- 
ber yard there. It was the interests of the lumber trade that 
caused him to return to Michigan, which he did about the year 
L850, locating in Saginaw, and followed lumbering until his death. 
He was married in i835 to Miss Harriet Butts, by whom he had 3 
children, viz.: Lydia B. (deceased) Alderman B. and Kittie. 
During the late war Mr. Paine took active part in favor of the 
Union, and spent much valuable time and large sums of money to 
support the war, and for the support of the soldiers' families. Al- 
though some of his political enemies have dared to accuse him of 
being a Southern sympathizer, a more unjust and willful falsehood 
could not have been perpetrated upon any one. But he was 
always a very unostentatious man, not caring to tell the world at 
large of his commendable traits and benevolent acts. He died 
March 6, 1867, loved and respected by hosts of friends and ac- 
quaintances. He was a worthy member of the Baptist Church, 
and an ever faithful and earnest Christian worker. Saginaw lost 
a valuable citizen in the death of Mr. Paine. The only living 
daughter, Kittie, married Major N. S. Wood, a prominent attor- 
ney of Saginaw, and a gentleman who distinguished himself during 
the late war, in the service of the United States. After the war 
he returned to his native State, New York, and was admitted to 
the bar at Buffalo in 1866, and the same year located in Saginaw. 

Thomas Parker, farmer and manufacturer of brick, was born in 
Scotland, Aug. 22, 1819; parents were Isaac and Elizabeth Parker; 
subject of sketch came to America in 1849, and settled in Saginaw 
county, owns 140 acres of land in sec. 19, where he has a brick- 
yard; turns out nearly 2,000,000 of brick per year, and gives em- 
ployment to IS persons; was married in 1843 to Jessie Beard, who 
was born in Scotland in 1824. Two children were born to them — 
Mary and Elizabeth (deceased). Mrs. Parker died in 1849, and in 
1857 Mr. P. married Ellen Garden, who was born in Scotland, 
Aug. 23, 1818. Mr. Parker has acquired his proprrty only by long 
years of energy and perseverance. 



686 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Penoyer <& St. John, book-sellers and dealers in school books, 
miscellaneous books, stationery and wall-paper, also in notions and 
fancy goods at the principal news depot of Saginaw. This house 
began business in September, 1868, on Hamilton street, and after- 
ward came to their present location on Court street in 1873. 

Mr. Penoyer was born in Genesee Co., Mich., March 17, 1838, 
and came to Saginaw in 1852; received his principal education 
here, and at the opening of the war enlisted in the 23d Mich. Inf., 
Co. E, in 1862, and served till the close of the war in 1.865. Dur- 
ing that time he was mostly on detached service. Mr. Penoyer 
was in business alone for three years, and at the expiration of that 
time he formed a co-partnership with Ledger St. John. 

The latter is a native of Otsego Co., N. Y., and received his 
education in his native State. When quite young he went to In- 
diana, and when the war commenced went back to New York and 
enlisted in Co. G, 114th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was made 
Sergeant- Major of the regiment, and subsequently made 1st Lieu 
tenant and assigned to Co. K. He served throughout the war, 
and in the fall of 1865 came to Saginaw City, where he has since 
been engaged in business. He married Addeliza Palmer. 

Robert Pfaendtner, manufacturer of cigars, and dealer in cigars, 
tobaccos, and all kinds of smoking articles. He began business 
Dec. 27, 1874, on Water street, and remained there six months; 
then moved to Hamilton street, and to his present location in Au- 
gust, 1876. He was born in Leipsic, Germany, Dec. 1, 1844, and 
learned his trade in Germany. On Feb. 9, 1869, he came to 
America and settled at Buffalo, N.Y., where he remained four years. 
He was married in 1871 to Paulina Naumann, a native of Werms- 
dorf, Germany. They have 1 child. He came to Saginaw City in 
1874, and has been engaged in business since. His trade extends 
over the entire Saginaw Valley. 

M. C. T. Plessner, M. D., Saginaw City, was born in Striegau, 
Prussia, Oct. 20, 1813, and is a son of Henry Plessner, late Pro- 
fessor of the University at Breslau, who died in 1835. His literary 
education was received at the gymnasium, and his medical course 
at the University of Berlin. In 1849 he came to America, and 
arrived at Saginaw City Aug. 10, 1849, where he has made his 
home, excepting two years passed at Toledo, O. From 1852 
to 1860 he was Justice of the Peace and Superintendent of the 
Poor. In 1859 he received the Captaincy of a Saginaw City com- 
pany of State militia, but resigned in 1860. He was President of 
the Board of Education for 10 years, and in 1868 was elected as a 
Presidential Elector. Dr. Plessner lias been a Freemason since 
1839, having taken all the degrees but one, and is the oldest prac- 
ticing physician in Saginaw county. He has also been connected 
with several different medical societies, and has always taken an 
active part in industrial enterprises. A carefully prepared address 
delivered by Dr. Plessner at the organization of the German 
Pioneer Society, at Saginaw City, in May, 1881, will be found on 
pages 219-229 of this volume. ' £JS3Ld 



SAGINAW CITY. 687 

Hon. Chandler E. Potter (deceased) was born in East Concord, 
X. EL, March 7, 1800. The ancestors of the Potter family were 
anions the early settlers of New England. Joseph, the father of 
Col. Potter, was born in Concord, N. EL, Sept. 20, 1772. He mar- 
ried Miss Anna Drake, daughter of Thomas Drake, formerly of 
Hampton, N. II., April 25, 1793. She was born Oct. 25, 1774, and 
died very suddenly Aug. 23, 1844. Her husband died Feb. 1, 1853, 
aged SO years. Their children were — Richard, born Oct. 3, 1793; 
Thomas Drake, Jan. 13, 1796; Jacob Averill, July 22, 1798; 
( handler Eastman, born as above stated. The latter spent his child- 
hood and early youth at home on his father's farm, and attending 
the district school about ten weeks in the year. 

While yet at home curiosity led him to visit places far and near, 
in the town, which had any traditionary interest. He explored the 
banks of the Merrimack river, scoured the plains, picked up Indian 
relics, and found, in repeated instances, the bones of Indians slain, 
as he believed, in the fight between the Mohawks and Penacocks. 
With this taste for the legendary and the curious, he aspired to a 
higher education than the district school furnished. Accordingly, 
at the age of about 18, he went to the academy in Pembroke, N. H., 
and was fitted for college; entered at Dartmouth in 1827, and grad- 
uated in 1831. 

After his graduation he taught select or high schools in Concord 
one year, and in Portsmouth two years; represented the latter town 
in the Legislature in 1835; again taught in the high school in Ports- 
mouth from July, 1835, to 183S; read law, while there, with the 
Hon. Ichabod Bartlett, and with Messrs. Pierce & Fowler at Con- 
cord from 1841 to 1*43; began practice at East Concord; removed 
to Manchester in 1844; was editor and proprietor of the Manchester 
Democrat from March, L844, to 1848; edited the Farmers Monthly 
Visitor in 1852-'3; also the Granite Farmer and Monthly Visitor 
in 1854-'5; was co-editor of the Weekly Mirror and Farmer in 
1864-'5. 

Nov. 1, 1832, Mr. Potter married Clara Adda, daughter of John 
Underwood, Esq., of Portsmouth, who died at Manchester, March 
19, 1854, aged 51 years. They had 3 children — Joseph Treat. Went- 
worth and Drown. Drown was killed at Garlick's Landing, Va. 
He was again married Nov. 11, 1856, to Miss Frances Maria, 
daughter of Gen. John McNeil, of Hillsboro, N. H. After his 
marriage with Miss McNeil he resided at Hillsboro, in the family 
mansion, the former residence of Gov. Benj. Pierce. 

In physical development Mr. Potter was a marked man. six feet 
three inches in stature, large and well proportioned, weighing 
about 280 pounds; form erect, step firm and dignified; in conver- 
sation pleasing and intelligent. In public address his voice was, 
clear, well modulated and distinct, and when kindled witlvemotion 
forcible and expressive. His taste led him chiefly into historical 
research. In Indian history he had no superior in New Hamp- 
shire, and in the military history of New Hampshire, no equal. 



'688 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

In 1841 he was elected a member of the New Hampshire Historical 
Society, in 1852 chosen first Vice President, and President in 
1855-7. He died suddenly in the city of Flint, Mich., Aug. 3, 
1868, aged 61 years, 5 months and 29 days. His portrait appears 
on page 149. 

Mrs. Francis Maria McNeil Potter. This lady is doubtless a 
descendant, on her father's side, of the ancient and noble family of 
McNeils of Scotland. The founder of the family in America was 
John McNeil. He left Scotland in 1719 and took up his residence 
in Londonderry, Ireland, during which time he participated in the 
siege of that place. A few years afterward he came to America 
with his family, and we find them in 1725 located at Derryfield, 
now Manchester, N. II. 

One of his sons, Daniel McNeil, and his family, moved from 
Manchester in 1771, to Hillsboro, N. H., where he resided until his 
death. Daniel's son, John, was born in Manchester in 1756, and 
at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, enlisted as a private 
in Captain Baldwin's Co., which was of "Stark's" regiment. In 
the battle of Bunker Hill he assisted Captain Baldwin from the field 
when mortally wounded. He was also with Stark at the Battle of 
Bennington, and served with distinction throughout the war. He 
attained the rank of Lieutenant, and died at Hillsboro, N. II., Sept. 
29, 1836, aged 79 years. 

The son of the last named was also named John, and was the 
father of the lady whose name heads this sketch. He was early 
educate! to a military life, and is known in history as General John 
McNeil. He served with distinction in the war of 1812, and was 
in command at Fort Dearborn, 111., having his family with 
him at the fort when his daughter, Francis Maria Potter, was born. 
Gen. McNeil married Miss Elizabeth A. Pierce, at Hillsboro, N. 
H., in 1811. She was a daughter of Gov. Benjamin Pierce, of 
New Hampshire, and a sister to Franklin Pierce, who afterward 
became President of the United States. Thus it will be seen that 
the subject of this sketch was a daughter of a distinguished General 
in the U. S. army, grand-daughter of the Governor of a state, and 
niece of a President of the United States. As a result of such con- 
nections and surroundings, the most eminent men and women of 
the day were numbered as her acquaintances and associates. 

When Mrs. Potter w T as but lour years old, her father, Gen. 
McNeil, was appointed Surveyor of the port of Boston, Mass., by 
President Jackson. Here she passed her time until she attained 
her 18th year, attending the best schools offered, and subsequently 
attending Madame Chegaway's Academy at New York, where 
she finished her education. During her uncle's, President Pierce's, 
administration, some of her time was passed at the White House, 
between which and the old Pierce homestead at Hillsboro (which 
she then owned) her time was fully occupied. In November, 1856, 
at Hillsboro, she was married to Hon. C. E. Potter. The follow- 
ing years were spent with her husband at the old home, during the 



SAGINAW CITY. 689 

time making frequent visits to Michigan and the Saginaw Valley, 
to attend to her property located in that section, consisting of tracts 
of land and other property belonging to the estate of Gen. McNeil. 
In August, 1868, Mr. Potter died very suddenly of paralysis, and 
two pears afterward Mrs. P. disposed of her homestead to her 
cousin, Gen. Andrews, retaining all the old Pierce and McNeil 
relics, consisting of the sword used by her grandfather, Benjamin 
Pierce, in the Revolution, now on exhibition at Independence Hall, 
Philadelphia; also Gen. McNeil's sword, used at Lundy's Lane and 
Chippewa, and the rest of his military accoutrements. 

A few years since Mrs. P. made the tour of Scotland, and visited 
the scenes of the lives of her ancestors and friends of the same 
name, among whom was Sir John McNeil, owner of Colonsay 
and Oronsay, being two Islands in the English channel, and consist- 
ing of 10,000 acres. A most delightful visit was made with this 
family. The ancient motto of the McNeils is "Conquor or die," 
and Mrs. Potter has well established that the motto has not been 
forgotten or fallen into disuse, in at least one descendant of the 
family of the present generation, Mrs. Potter having for years 
superintended and given her personal attention to the manage- 
ment of her business and landed estate. Thereby, as it is said 
by these familiar with her affairs, she has saved that which might 
have been lost without her individual efforts. 

William Powell, Cashier First National Bank of Saginaw, is 
a native of Victor, Ontario Co., New York. His father, John 
Powell, was desirous to obtain for his son a thorough education, 
and therefore purchased a scholarship in the Hamilton college; but 
he died when the son was but 13 years old, and no benefit was derived 
from the outlay. Mr. Powell, however, succeeded in obtaining an 
education at Rochester University. From his 18th to his 29th 
year he was successively Librarian of the Public Library of Roch- 
ester, X. Y. and assistant bookkeeper and discount clerk in the 
I [< (Chester < ity Bank. Mr. Powell has been connected with various 
banks for 22 years, among which are the bank of H. J. Perrin & 
( o., and the National Bank of Michigan, at Marshall, Michigan. 
He accepted his present situation in August, 1880. 

M. Quinn, dealer in pine lands, was born in Canada, May 22, 
ls44. He came to Saginaw, Mich., in 1862 and helped lay the 
R. R. track between Flint and Holly. He then became a con- 
tractor for the building of railroads, building roads in Pennsyl- 
vania, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, and also some in Illinois, 
lie returned to Saginaw in 1867, and engaged in lumbering for a 
short time; since which time he has been dealing in pine lands. 
Be was married March 10, 1868, to Miss Remina Fordney, by 
whom he has 3 children — Thomas W., Francis Q. and Celia L. 
Mr-. < ,)uinii died in 1875. 

Geo. B. Rathhun. foreman in Swift's lumber and salt manufac- 
tory, was born in Otsego Co., New York, Jan. 23, 1845. He was 
brought up on a farm, and came to South Saginaw in 1863. He 



690 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

lias remained in Saginaw ever since, except the winter of 1864 and 
'65, which he spent in his native State. He began to work in Swift's 
mill in 1867, and has assisted in making changes and improve- 
ments that have been made in it since that time. He married 
Miss Jennie Chisholm, by whom he has 1 boy, George. Mr. 
Rathbun is the present Alderman for the Fourth ward. 

Mr. Renier, of the firm of Remer & Runnenberg, wholesale and 
retail dealers in Milwaukee lager and export beer, manufactured 
by Philip Best, Milwaukee, Wis., was born at Mecklenburg- 
Schwerin, Germany, July 21, 1811, and came to America in the 
fall of 1863, locating in Saginaw City. He was formerly engaged 
in the salt blocks, and worked in a saw-mill' for nine years. In 
November, 1869, at Saginaw City, he was married to Miss 
Sophia Riess, a native of Germany, who came to this country 
when four years old. They have had 1 child, now deceased. The 
other partner, Mr. Runnenberg, was born in Prussia Aug. 11, 
1835. He came to America in 1866, settling first at East Sagi- 
naw, and in 1876 located at Saginaw City. Mr. Runnenberg was 
formerly engaged in the clothing business. The firm was estab- 
lished in May, 1880, and now do a large and flourishing business. 

W. A. Richards, dentist, Saginaw City, was born at Barhamville, 
S. C, in 1857. He received his education at Canandaigua, N. Y., 
where he lived with his father and mother, P>enjamin and Christina 
(Sheldon) Richards. His father was principal of the Ladies' 
Seminary of Canandaigua for 25 years, and died March 28, 
1877, at Canandaigua, N. Y. He has associated himself with 
different dentists, of whom Dr. A. N. Chapman, of Brooklyn, N. 
Y., was the principal one. He began practicing in Saginaw City 
in the fall of 1877, and enjoys a large and steadily increasing 
business. 

John W. Richardson, the pioneer of the saddle and harness busi- 
ness in Saginaw City, was born on the Island of Cape Breton, 
June 23, 1833. His parents removed to Boston, Mass., in 1835, 
and to Detroit, Mich., in 1836, and in December, 1837, to Saginaw 
City, where they resided until their deaths, his father's, Oct. 21, 1813, 
and his mother's, Dec. 24, 1868. The subject of our sketch can be 
truly regarded as one of the fixtures of Saginaw City, never hav- 
ing, from the date of his arrival until the present time, resided 
outside of its corporate limits. He may almost be considered as to 
the manor born, having been reared, educated, acquired his pro- 
fession and gained his business experience and knowledge within 
its limits. In his 18th year Mr. Richardson, on Jan. 28, 1851, 
commenced his apprenticeship at the harness trade, and after 
completing his term, started business for himself Oct. 1, 1854, and 
has continuously carried on the same without break or ripple until 
the present time. From a very small beginning of but a few hun- 
dred dollars, he has, by strict attention and personal management 
of his business, so increased it that it now runs into the thousands. 
Losing his father at the early age of 10 years, Mr. R. made his 



SAGINAW CITV. 691 

aged mother his special care during her life; he consequently re 
mained unmarried until after her decease. Some tour years 
after the death of his mother, to wit, Oct. 9, 1872, he 
was married to Miss Mary Kelley, of Belleville, Ontario. Their 
union has been blessed with a son and daughter; the former was 
born Sept. 26, 1873, and the latter Ddc. 30, 1879. Mr. Richard- 
son, as far as his circumstances would warrant, has always taken a 
deep interest in the prosperity and progress of the city of his 
choice, and in a measure has contributed to her growth by the pur- 
chase of real estate and improving the same^ being the owner of 
the block which bears his name and in which his store is situated; 
also several dwellings and the homestead which he occupies at the 
present time. 

Rev. Isaac H. Riddick, Pastor of the Washington Avenue M. 
E. Church of Saginaw, was born in West Elkton, Ohio, June 15, 
1846, and is a son of Samuel T. and Mary Riddick. His parents 
died when he was but a boy, and he was left to battle with the world 
alone. He went to Richmond, Indiana, where he attended the 
public schools. He graduated from Albion College, Mich., in June, 
1870, and the same year went to Minnesota and entered upon the 
work of the ministry in the M. E. Conference in that State, where 
he remained until September. 1877, when he was transferred to the 
Detroit Conference and stationed at Oscoda. In September, 1879, 
he was stationed at Saginaw, where he still remains. His child- 
ren 'are 3 — Carlos, Florence and Mary. 

E. J. Ring is a native of Hampden Co., Mass., and was born 
Sept. 20, 1824. He removed to Sandusky, Ohio, in 1857, and 
established a lumber yard at that place. He soon afterward pur- 
chased pine timber lands in the valley of the Tittabawasse. He 
brings his logs down the streams and saws them, and ships the 
lumber to his yards in Sandusky. He brought his family to Sagi- 
naw in 1865. His wife was a Miss Ann E. Clark, who bore him 4 
children. Of these 3 are living — William L., Annie S. and Clark 
L. Mr. Ring is also engaged in the manufacture of salt, and has 
a fishery in Lake Superior. 

Eugene Ringhr, druggist, Saginaw City, was born in Wurtem- 
berg, Germany, May 5, 1824. He received his education in his 
native land, and in 1847 came to America. He graduated from the 
medical department of the University of Michigan in 1852, after 
which he went to Ohio, and practiced medicine at Fostoria until 
L857. He made a visit to Germany during a few months of that 
year, and on his return located^at Tiffin, O., where he continued to 
practice until the breaking out of the war in 1861. He enlisted as 
Assistant Surgeon, and was afterward promoted to Surgeon, serving 
till the close of the war in 1865. He returned to Tiffin, remained 
there two years, and then he came to Saginaw City. After being 
here one year, he went into partnership with E. Epting, which 
relation lasted one year, when he removed into his present store on 
Hamilton st. His business has increased yearly, and he is one of 



692 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

the substantial druggists of this city. In 1S57 he married Maiy 
Kapff, a native of Germany. They have 3 children, viz.: Lydia, 
Eugene and Annie. Eugene was engaged in the drug business at 
New York, but at present is in Paris, France. 

Eliakim C. Ripley was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Jan. 
3, 1815, and is a son of Abner Ripley, a native of Plymouth Co., 
Mass. He received a common-school education, and in his early 
years was engaged in farming, and teaching school occasionally in 
the winters. He was married to Phebe F., daughter of George 
Birch, April 16, 1840, by whom he had 6 children; of these, 4 are 
living — 3 daughters and a son. After his marriage he engaged for 
a time in the manufacture of gloves and mittens in Gloversville, 
N. Y., and afterward returned to his agricultural pursuits. In 1854 
he sold his farm near Amsterdam, N. Y., and invested the money 
in pine lands; and in 1854 removed with his family to St. Clair, 
Mich. In 1855 he came to Saginaw. At that time there were but 
few houses at East Saginaw, and not a bridge nor brick building 
between Bay City and Midland. Mr. Ripley engaged successfully 
in lumbering until disabled by rheumatism, and has since rested 
from his labors, only looking after his real estate and attending to 
other business matters. 

W. R. Robinson, proprietor livery, feed, and sale stable, began 
business in 1873 on the corner Van Buren and Hamilton sts., and 
in 1875 came to his present location oh Van Buren st. He has a 
stock of eight single buggies, one double-seated carriage, seven 
horses, and also owns the barn which he occupies. The amount of 
capital invested is $4,500. Mr. Robinson has a tine iivery, and is 
a gentleman who oversees his business, giving the most of his time 
to the interest of it. He was born in Cattaraugus Co., 1ST. Y., in 
1850, and came to this city when three years old, and has been here 
since, with the exception of six years spent at Flushing, Genesee 
Co., Mich. He was engaged nine years with the Tittabawassee 
Boom Co., about 16 months in the Franklin House, and afterward 
in the livery, which business he has followed since. He is a son of 
J. II. Robinson, who keeps -the Union House at St. Charles, this 
county, and formerly engaged in the livery business in Saginaw 
City. 

Otto Roeser, Probate Judge, was born in Prussia, in November, 
1823. He was brought up there and received his education at the 
University, at first making theology, afterward jurisprudence, 
his study. 

In 1850 he came to America, and located in Saginaw Co., 
Mich., on the Tittabawassee river, where he followed farming for 
10 years. He came to the city in 1861, and was appointed Deputy 
Register of Deeds, which position lie filled for two years. In 1861 
he was also elected Superintendent of the Poor, and in 1862 to the 
office of Justice of the Peace, holding each one respectively for 
eight years. In November, 1864, he was elected Probate Judge, 
and has filled this office successfully ever since. He was also 





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?$'"-'•-•'*■'•>'/ * 




ALBEE TOWNSHIP. 



* The inhabitants of this township are principally devoted to agri- 
culture. There is not a store within its borders. It is heavily tim- 
bered and lias a strong and fertile soil. The Mistequay creek passes 
through its center from south to north, while the Flint river crosses 
its northeastern corner. It is described on the map as township 10 
north, range -A- east, and received the name of Albee from W. C. 
Albee, an early settler, now deceased. It is a full township, with 
a population of 4.°>4. 

The Board of Supervisors, in session Feb. 17, 1863, considered 
the application of the freeholders of this portion of the county, 
and resolved, "That township 10 north, of range 4 east, be, and 
the same is. hereby erected into a township to be called and known 
by the name of the township of Albee. The first annual town- 
snip meeting thereof shall be held at the house of William C. 
Albee. on the first Monday of April, 1863, at ten o'clock in the 
forenoon, and at said meeting Isaac Savage, James Darling and 
Thomas S. Craig, three electors of said township, shall be the per- 
sons whose duty it shall be to preside." A meeting in accordance 
with this order was held April 6, 1863, with the officers mentioned, 
presiding, Seth Sprague as clerk, and 20 other electors present. 
The following is a list of township officers to the present time : 



SUPERVISORS. 



James Darling 1863 

II. K.Sloan 1864-' 

Allen Barnum 1866 

James Darling 1867 

D.Gould 1868 

J. C. Coombs 186!) 

II. K. Sloan 1870 

Allen Barnum 1871 

James Darlinsr 1872 



Allen Barnum 1873 

Isaac Savage 1874 

H. K.Sloan 1875 

H. K. Sloan 1876 

J. N. Slocum 1877 

John N. Slocum 1878-' 

James Darling 1880 

T. S. Craig 1881 



CLERKS. 



' . C. Bprague 1863 

Joel Savasce . . 1864-'6 

J. A. Gould 1867 

J. C. Coombs 1868 

James Darling 1869 

Jan-dRobbins 1870 

J. A. Gould 1871-'8 

43 (715) 



James Darling 1874 

J. A. Goukl 1875 

H.G. Ives 1876 

H. B. Wire 1877-'S 

J. A. Gould 1879 

John C. Herpel 1880-'l 



it. 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



TREASURERS. 



Seth Sprague i 

W. C. Albee 1864-'7 | 

J. B. Fairchild 1868-70 

T. S. Craig 187l-'4 



W. S. Stuart 1875-'7 

T. S. Craig 1878 

James Darling 1879 

Isaac Savage 1880-'l 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Isaac Savage 1863 

Lewis Shoe-Its 1863 

II. K. Sloan 1863 

Reuben Wilson 1864 

T. S. Craig 1866 

J. B. Faircliild 1866 

T. S. Craig 1867 

H. K. Sloan 1867 

John C. Coombs 1868 

Allen Patrick 1869 

W. C. Albee 1869 

H. B. Wire 1870 

J. McDonagh 1870 

H. K. Sloan 1871 

A. C. Kidd 1871 

Isaac Savage 1872 



C. C. Sprague 1872 

Lewis Shoolls 1872 

James Sutton 1873 

A. C. Kidd 1874 

Thos. McDonagh 1874 

C. C. Spraerue 1875 

Chas. Sutton 1875 

Frank Irvine 1876 

Isaac Savage 1876 

H. R. Darling 1877 

C. W. Smith.": 1878 

Isaac Savage 1878 

L. Shoolts.. 1879 

Frank Irvine 1880 

C. W. Smith 1881 

Allen Barnum 1881 



The first school building erected in the township was that on 
section 29, in 1860. Now there are three frame structures and 
one log house devoted to school purposes. The schools are taught 
by five teachers and claim an aggregate daily attendance of 75 
pupils. 



EARLY LAND BUYERS. 



The following list of patentees of the U. S. lauds in this town- 
ship contains many names closely identified with the settlement 
and growth of the county: 



J. Kearsley, sec. 1, Sept. 18, 1822. 
Henry Wager, sec. 1, April 13, 1836. 
Alex. McArthur, sec. 1, March 11, 1836. 

C. Hurlbut, sec. 1, March 11. 1836. 

J. J. McCormick, sec. 1, Feb. 15, 1836. 
Eurotas P. Hastings, sec. 1, April 12, 

1836, and March 24, 1837. 
Charles Butler, sec. 2, Dec. 2, 1836, and 

Nov. 14, 1836. 
John Ballard, sec. 2, Feb. 8, 1837. 
William Charles, sec. 2, Dec. 22, 1854. 
Eleazer M. Andrews, sec. 2, Oct. 6, 1855. 
Isaiah Meeker, sec. 7, April 11, 1855. 
James P. Hayder, sec. 12, Oct. 4, 1849. 

D. Houghton, sec. 12, May 20, 1836. 
John A. Welles, sec. 12, May 20, 1836. 
H. G. Hubbard, sec. 12, May 20, 1836. 
Darius Rust, sec. 12, Oct. 18, 1854. 

D. Houghton, sec. 13, May 20, 1836. 
John A. Welles, sec. 13, May 20, 1836. 
H. G. Hubbard, sec. 13, May 20, 1836. 



M. Haughelton, sec. 18, Nov. 14, 1854. 
James McCollom, sec. 18, Nov. 1, 1854. 
Simon Trumbull, sec. 18, Nov. 27, 1854. 
T. S. Alexander, sec. 19, Dec. 8, 1854. 
Charles Condon, sec. 19, Nov. 23, 1854. 
John B. Vaughan, sec. 19, Nov. 23, 1854. 
T. L. L. Brent, sec 21, March 28, 1836. 
John C. Griswold, sec. 23, Oct. 14, 1854. 
David W. Gilbert, sec 23, Oct. 14, 1854. 
Peter Ingersoll, sec. 23, Oct. 14, 1«54. 
Isaiah Windover, sec. 23, April 12, 1855. 
Manning Cooper, sec. 24, Oct. 14, 1854. 
Samuel Decker, sec. 24, Oct. 23, 1854. 
Eber B. Ward, sec. 24, April 12, 1852. 
Samuel Ward, sec. 24, April 12, 1852. 
Asahel Disbrow, sec. 24, Oct. 23, 1854. 
Edward Cad well, sec. 24, Oct. 11, 1854. 
Alanson Bradford, sec. 25, Oct. 20, 1854. 
Benoni Banson, sec. 25, Oct. 24, l854. 
EberB. Ward, sec. 25, April 12, 1852. 
Samuel Ward, sec. 25, April 12, 1852. 



ALBEE TOWNSHIP. 717 

.1. Davidson, sec. 27, March28, 1836. Willard Parker, sec. 31, Aug. 1, 1853 



W. C. Albee, sec. 87, March 15, 1855. 
A B. Whitehead, sec. 27, March 5, 1855. 
Alex. D. Fraser, Bee. 27, April 1 1 1836. 
James Davidson, sec. 28, Mar.28, 1836. 
William 11 Craig, sec. 28, Mar. 23, 1854. 
Carlton Rood, sec. 28, Dec. 4 1854. 
John Gallagher, sec. 28, July 27, 1858. 

A.ug 2, 1853, and Aug. 12, 1858. 
Allen R. Rood sec. 29, Dec. 4, 1854. 
Philo Fairchild, see. 29, Oct.24, 1854. 
John Gallagher, 3ec. 29, July 27, 1853. 
\V. W. Sickner, sec. 29, April 11, 1855 
Daniel Morse, sec 30, Oct. 28, 1854, 
Andrew Leach, sec. 30, Oct. 28, 1854. 
Alonzo Carey, sec 31, < >ct 28,1854. 
E II Taylor.sec. 31, Oct. Hi. 1854 



William Van SI yke, sec. 32, Bee. 7, 1854. 
Egbert F. Guild, sec 32, Sept. 5, 1877. 
.1. Davidson, sec. 38, March 28, 1836. 
William II Craig, sec. 33, May 22, 1854. 
E W. Drum, sec. 33, Oct. 20, 1854. 
A. s Whitehead, sec. 34, March 5, 1855. 
A. D. Fraser, sec. 34, April 14, 183G. 
Dudley S. Reed, sec. 34. Oct. 26, 1854. 
J. Davidson, sec. 34,March 28, 1836. 
Aimer C. Johnson, sec. 35, Oct. 12, 1854. 
Samuel Bolden, sec. 36, Oct. 20, 1854. 
William Gardner, sec 36, Oct. 20, 1854. 
D. Houghton, sec. 36, .May 20, 1836. 
John ATWelles, sec. 36, May 20, 1836. 
II. G. Hubbard, sec. 36, May 20, 1831;. 



Few of the early land buyers became permanent settlers in the 
township. The resident owners purchased through a third party, 
and in some instances through a twelfth owner. The time arrived, 
however, when the cultivator of the soil became its proprietor, and 
conferred the blessings of settlement upon the district. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



In the following biographical notices much of the history of the 
township is related. The subjects of these sketches aided materially 
in raising it to its present prosperous condition: 

"William C. Albee, the pioneer settler of Alb.ee tp., was born at 
Collins, Erie Co., N. Y., in 1S33. In April, 1849, he moved to 
Vienna tp., Genesee Co., Mich., and on March 6, 1855, located in 
what is now Albee tp., Saginaw Co. He was the first settler 
in the township, and it was named in honor of him. Himself and 
wife suffered many privations and hardships in their pioneer home, 
and Mrs. Albee has gone a period of six months without seeing a 
person of her own sex. Mr. Albee located 160 acres of land on the 
8. E. \ sec. 27. Their cabin was erected on a little spot of two 
acres, which was cleared by him without the use of a team. Mr. 
Albee was a Republican in politics, and took a very active part in 
raising men and money in support of the Union cause during the 
war of the great Rebellion. He also served the tp. as its 
Treasurer for several years, and in other local offices. 

He was married to Miss Phoebe Toogood, daughter of Charles 
and Sarah Ann Toogood, of Genesee, Genesee Co., Mich. 

Win. C. Albee died on the 9th of March, 1878, of consumption, 
leaving an estate of 320 acres to his wife and 2 children, who re- 
side at the homestead on sec. 33. 

Henry C. Chapel, farmer, sec. 33, was born at Dexter, Wash- 
tenaw Co., Mich., in 1844. His parents were S. S. and Harriet L. 
Chapel, natives of New York, and of English descent. Mr. C. 
learned the tinsmith's trade, and followed it for eight years. He 
came to Albee tp. in 1878, and bought 120 acres of land, 15 
of which are improved. He is Republican in politics, has been 



718 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

School Superintendent one year, and School Director three years. 
He was married in Ingham Co., Mich., in 1868, to Frances E. 
Hicks, who was born in Ingham county in 1848. They have 2 
children — Clara M. and Daisy B. 

Orville D. Chase, farmer, sec. 33, was born at Flint, Genesee Co., 
Mich., June 3, 1852. His parents' names were Calvin and 
Amanda (Firzallen) Chase, the first a native of Vermont, and the 
latter of New York State. They settled in Michigan at an early 
day. Calvin Chase now resides in Chesaning tp., this county. 
His wife is deceased and buried in the Chesaning cemetery. Or- 
ville D. Chase received the advantages of a common-school edu- 
cation in Flint. He was married to Miss Alice Patterson, Dec. 
22, 1873; they have 2 children living — James Calvin and Charles 
Wilbur. Mr. C. now owns 20 acres on sec. 33, Albee tp. In 
politics he is a Democrat. 

Thomas S. Craig, farmer, sec. 31, was born in Mercer Co., Pa., 
in 1828. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Simpson) Craig, 
the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of 
Ireland. Mr. Craig settled in Genesee Co., Mich., in 1S56, and in 
18G1 located in Albee tp., Saginaw Co., where he purchased 64 acres 
of land, 50 of which are now improved. Mr. Craig is the third 
settlermow living in Albee tp. He has been Tp. Treasurer five 
years, Supervisor one year, and School Director six years. He is 
Democratic in politics. Mr. C. was married to Ellen, daughter of 
Albert Gridley. They have 10 children The names of Mr. Craig's 
children are--Geo. W\, Wm. M., Charles H., Robert C, Etta M., 
Thomas S., Flora Belle, Frank H., Albert II. and Roy C. 

James Darling . — This gentleman is one of Albee township's 
most substantial and enterprising citizens and farmers, as well as 
one of its pioneers. He was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., Dec. 
6, 1820, and is a son of James P. and Susannah (Pierson) Darling. 
When he was but two years of age his mother died, and at the 
tender age of four years the motherless boy was given by his father 
to Zadok Martin and wife, in whose family he remained until his 
15th year. Mrs. Martin was a kind woman, and proved almost a 
second mother to the orphan boy, but her husband and 5 children 
proved themselves during all these years as tyrannical masters. He 
was obliged to work from his earliest years, and was given tasks that 
it was unreasonable to expect so small a boy to perform, and when 
from want of strength he failed in any of them, he was unmercifully 
punished. At the above age, by the advice of Mrs. Martin, who 
sympathized with him, he returned to live with his father, who had 
married again and lived at Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y., where 
he remained six months, and then hired out to a farmer for three 
months at $4 per month. He continued to work in this way for 
two years for different parties, never receiving over $S per month. 
He was now 17 years of age, and able to "hoe his row with the 
best." He returned to Livingston Co., N. Y., and found employ- 
ment at $10 per month for the season. He remained in this county 



A.LBEE T0WN8HIP. 719 

until the spring lie was 21 years of age, having attended school 
three months the preceding winter. This was the only schooling 
Mr. Darling ever received, except while living at Mr. Martin's; and 
he often said he learned more during those three months than ever 
before. 

In 1842 he hired to A. C. Stevens (who was coming to Michigan) 
to drive his team, Mr. S. also agreeing to pay his fare on the lakes 
and $11 per month. The party started from Livingston Co., N. Y., 
about the first of May, driving to Buffalo, N. Y., 65 miles, with a 
team. At this point they shipped team and all on board a lake 
steamer bound for Detroit, Mich., where they arrived May 6, 1842. 
From Detroit they came to Flint, Mich., by team, a distance of 65 
miles. Mr. Darling remained in the employ of Mr. Stevens nine 
months and a half. For some time afterward he worked at jobbing 
around Flint, and then found employment with a Mr. Pierson. with 
whom he remained one year and a half. 

He then commenced teaming on his own account, and hauled the 
first heavy load ever taken over the Saginaw and Flint plank road, 
lie drove four horses, the wagon being loaded with 42 barrels of 
flour, and loaded back to Flint with five tons of merchandise. He 
followed teaming for 14 years, running a threshing-machine part of 
the time. 

Jan. 9, 184S, he was married to Miss Harriet Esther Reynolds, 
a daughter of Levi and Freelove ( Thompson) Reynolds, who were 
both natives of Chemung, Saratoga Co., JN". Y.' They were early 
settlers in Flint tp., where they cleared up a farm. They are both 
deceased, each being 68 }'ears of age when they died, though the 
father preceded the mother some 10 years. They are buried in 
the town of Richfield, Genesee Co., Mich. 

June 15, 1856, James Darling was elected Constable of the 
Second ward in the city of Flint, and served two years. He then 
took a farm in Mount Morris tp.. Genesee Co., consisting of 160 
acres, the use of which he had for the improvements he made by 
breaking the wild land, etc., on this place. He remained three 
years, when he came to Saginaw county and bought 240 acres of 
land on sees. 23 and 26, Albee tp., and commenced moving his 
goods and preparing a place for his family to live in. This was 
about the middle of November, 1861. The land was in a perfectly 
wild state, heavily timbered with all kinds of hard wood, white- 
wood and pine — not a foot of it but what was shaded by forest trees. 
The ax of the white man had never invaded its quiet except for 
hunting purposes. At the time above stated, Mr. Darling, with his 
eldest son, Harry R., took possession of the new farm. They had 
a team loaded with lumber, and arrived about four miles from his 
present residence about 5 o'clock in the morning, and it took them 
until 10 o'clock p. m. to pass over that four miles, being obliged to 
cut their way and make a road for the team to pass. They 
immediately cleared a small space on which they proceeded to erect 
a shanty to live in, and near by put up some log stables for stock. 



720 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mr. Darling and son spent most of the winter on the place, prepar- 
ing for the family in the spring, while Mrs. Darling remained at 
Flushing, where they lived, and took care of the stock and other 
matters, assisted by her next oldest son, James Franklin. 

Having prepared as well as he could, Mr. Darling moved his 
family, wife and 8 children, to his home in the forest in March, 
1862. This year he cleared off about six acres and put it in corn, 
and has cleared off up to the present 130 acres of land, all of which 
is the result of his own labor or directed to be done by him, as also 
are all the improvements on the place. The homestead is one of 
the best farms, if not the very best in Albee tp. Mr. Darling has 
since added to his possessions, and at one time owned 640 acres, 
but has now 440, having given to his eldest son, Harry R., 160 
acres, and 40 to his son Charles E. Besides his lands and stock 
Mr. D. is otherwise independently situated, having several thou- 
sand dollars working for him day and night drawing from seven to 
ten per cent interest. 

He is now, at the age of 61 years, an active and vigorous man, 
and is so situated that he may for the rest of his life enjoy a com- 
petence so well and honestly earned. James Darling may truth- 
fully be called a self-made man; having been thrown among 
strangers since infancy, with no help from any one, he has attained 
a position financially and socially second to none in his tp., though 
he attributes much of his success to the help afforded him by his 
true and faithful wife, who has shared in all his labors and suffered 
all his hardships equally with himself in building a home in the 
wilderness. Mrs. Darling set fire to the first brush heap that was 
burned in the clearing of their now beautiful farm, and lived at 
their present residence 13 years before she saw a smoke from a 
neighbor's chimney. She is a true pioneer woman, kind-hearted, 
hospitable and generous. 

James Darling, in religious matters" is a "free-thinker,"" and 
believes that the golden rule well followed is the best religion. 
In politics he is a Democrat, and he has served his township in 
all its various local offices. On the organization of the tp. in 
1863 he was appointed one of the Board of Inspectors of Election, 
and was also elected its first Supervisor. This office he has held four 
years. He has been Tp. Clerk two years, Treasurer one year, 
Commissioner of Highways three years, Justice of Peace four 
years, etc. He has held as many as four different offices at the 
same time. 

Mr. and Mrs. Darling have had a family of IS children, whose 
names are as follows: Harry R., who married Susan Bowerman 
and lives on sec. 22, Albee tp. ; Susannah Jane, who married Cal- 
vin O. Chase and lives with her husband in Chesaning tp. ; James 
F., who lives at home; Harriet S., now the wife of Lewis Sutton 
and living at Big Rapids, Mich.; Charles E., who married Mary 
Guiney and lives in Albee tp. ; Wm. P., who is now at St. Helen's, 
Roscommon Co., Mich., learning telegraphy; Helen E., who 



AUBEE TOWNSHIP. 721 

died Jan. 21, l s »'»5; Geo. W., who died Jan. 17. L865; Julia A. 
E., who died Jan. 24, 1865; Andrew and Lillie B., now living at 
home; Henry II.. who died April 19, 1867; Alice M., Julia G., 
Fred. II.. Lewis ()., Rosa M., and Yiletta A., are all living at 
the homestead. The names of the children are given in order of 
their birth. 

In the foregoing we have traced in a condensed form, step by 
step, from earliest childhood the career of this honored pioneer ot 
Albee tp., as an example of the difficulties and labors which not 
only he and his wife, but other pioneers, experienced in their 
efforts to clear a farm and build up a home for themselves and 
families in a trackless wilderness. We give the portraits of James 
and Harriet E. Darling on pages 712 and 713. 

James A. Gould, farmer, sec. 34, was born in Oneida Co., N". Y., 
Aug. 15, 1825. His parents were Othniel and Abiah Gould, the 
former a native of Syracuse, N. Y., and the latter of Vermont. 
Mr. G. went to Port fjuron, Mich., with his parents, in 1836, and 
came to Albee tp. in 1860, purchasing 160 acres of land. He was 
Township Clerk seven years. He was married at Almont, La- 
peer Co., Mich., Sept. 4, 1852, to Lydia E. Parker (a daughter of 
Eliada and Elizabeth Parker, natives of Connecticut), born Nov. 
9, 1834, at Lexington, Greene Co., N. Y. Of the 7 children given 
them, 4 are living — Charles H., Willis J., Elmer O., and Fred. H. 
Mr. Gould and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. G. is 
a Republican in politics. He owns 160 acres of land. 

Alexander C. Kid 'd, son of William and Christa (Robertson) 
Kidd, was born at Petersboro, Canada, Sept. 22, 1834. His father 
was born at Bathgate, Scotland, in 1808, and his mother at Perth, 
Perthshire, Scotland, March 28, 1811. By occupation he is a 
blacksmith, having worked at that trade for 30 years. He was 
married while living in Cavan tp., Durham Co., Canada, March 
3, 1853, to Isabella, daughter of Alexander and Mary Robertson, 
who was born in Cavan tp., Dec. 20, 1828. Of their 7 children, 5 
are living, 3 born in Canada, the remainder in Albee tp., — 
William T., born Dec. 30, 1853; Mary M., born Aug. 2<I, 1S55; 
John Alexander, born March 30, 1858; Eveline N. and Caroline 
(deceased"), born May 3, 1868; Thomas J., born Aug. 15, 1870; 
Jane A., was born in Canada, Sept. 25, 1860, and died Dec. 15, 1863. 
M is. Kidd died in Albee tp., April 5. 1876. Mr. Kidd came to Albee 
tp. in January, 1868. He has been Justice of the Peace two terms, 
School Director three years, and Highway Commissioner two 
years. Mr. Kidd is a member of the Disciples of Christ Church, 
as was also his wife. 

Isaac Savage. — This pioneer and prominent citizen of Albee tp. 
was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Aug. 11, 1830, and is a son of Win. 
and Urania (Sprague) Savage. The subject of this sketch was 
married at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1849, to Hannah Warden. In 1849 
they came to Michigan and settled in Livingston county. In 1859 
he, with his family, moved to Saginaw county and located in Albeo 



722 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

tp., on sec. 15, where he took up a homestead of 40 acres, and has 
since purchased 160 acres more, so that now his lands consist of 200 
acres. When he came to this place it was an unbroken forest, 
while now 100 acres are improved — mostly the result of his own 
labor. Mr. Savage is a Republican in politics, and has served his 
tp. in many offices of trust and honor, among which are Su- 
pervisor one year, Commissioner of Highways two years, School 
Director 18 years, Justice of the Peace for several years, and 
Treasurer of the tp. for two terms. He is now holding the 
last two offices. Mr. and Mrs. Savage have had a family of 8 chil- 
dren, 6 of whom are living, named as follows: Caroline L., William, 
Amanda A., Adelbert, Hiram A. and Sydney E. Mr. Savage re- 
sides on sec. 15, Albee tp. His portrait is given on page 275. 

John iV. Slocum, farmer, sec. 28, was born in Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., in 1841. His parents are John and Margaret Slocum, the 
former a native of New York, of English descent, and the latter 
of Scotland, of Irish descent. At East Otto,. Cattaraugus Co., N. 
Y., in 1861 Mr. Slocum enlisted in Co. C, 64th Reg. N. Y. Vol. 
Inf. and served over one year in his country's service. He was 
discharged at Newark, N. J., in December, 1862. In 1876 he 
married Carrie E., daughter of James II. and Jeanette Orr, natives of 
Erie Co., N. Y. Mr. Slocum was at the siege of Richmond, at 
the battle ot Fair Oaks, and his regiment covered the retreat to 
Harrison's Landing. Mr. Slocum has been Supervisor of Albee 
tp. three years, and Commissioner of Highways one year. 

Henry H. Stuart, farmer on sec. 27, was born in Tyrone tp., Liv- 
ingston Co., Mich., in 1845, and is a son of Thomas and Susan Stuart. 
His first occupation was farming, but he also worked as an engineer 
for some time, and in 1880 bought and fitted up a large saw and 
shingle mill in Albee township, which he has since operated. He 
owns 80 acres of land, on which is erected a substantial dwelling. 
On Aug. 24, 1863, Mr. S. enlisted in Co. B, 10th Mich. Cav„ Capt. 
S. T. Bryan, as a private, and was dischared at Memphis, Tenn., 
Nov. 11, 1865, with the rank of Colonel. He is a Republican, was 
Town Commissioner two years, and Assessor nine years. In 1869 
he married Lucy Byerla, a native of New York, and of German 
descent. They have 1 child, Alice. 



BIRCH RUN TOWNSHIP 

occupies the southeastern angle of the county. It forms a rich 
agricultural district, and is inhabited by a thrifty, intelligent peo- 
ple. The Flint & Pere Marquette railroad runs through its 
southwestern sections, with a depot at the village of Birch Run. 
The creek, after which the township is named, waters the central 
sections. The north feeder rises in section 14, on the farm of E. L. 
Parker; the south branch, or main feeder, in the center of sec. 25. 
The head waters of Silver creek flow in three streams through 
the southwestern sections; while Dead creek waters the northeast- 
ern portion of the town. There are a few marshes to be found. 
The water and salt springs are numerous. The salt well bored 
some years ago in section 21, produces some of the purest brine 
found in the State. The mineral resources of the county are left 
undeveloped. 

Toward the close of 1*53 a meeting of the settlers of the dis- 
trict now known as the township of Birch Run, decided to apply to 
the County Board for the organization of No. 10 north, of range 
No. 6 east. This application was made by 19 freeholders, 
and was considered by the supervisors in session, Feb. 9, 1853. 
The Board resolved : " That the territory as described be, and the 
same is hereby, duly organized into a township, to be known and 
designated by the name of Birch Run, which said township is de- 
scribed as being within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the 
county of Saginaw and the State of Michigan; and be it further 
resolved, That the first annual meeting for the election of township 
officers for the further organization of said township, be held at 
the house of Proctor Williams, situate in said township of Birch 
Run, on the first Monday in April next, and that the following 
named persons, to wit: Lyman Webster, Beverly M. Brown and 
Proctor Williams, being three electors of said township, be and they 
are duly designated and appointed to preside at said township 
meeting, and to perform all the duties required by the statute.'' 

The first township meeting was held at the house of Proctor 
Williams, the first Monday of April, 1853, when the following in- 
spectors declared the polls open: Beverly M. Brown, Moderator; 
Calvin SilvernaQ, Clerk; Lyman Webster and Proctor Williams. 
The result of the balloting was as follows: — 

I' or Supervisor, Joseph Matheson. 18; Proctor Williams, 17. For 
Clerk, Calvin Silvernail, 21; Elisha Marvin, 14. For Treasurer, 
Hiram M. Brown, 19; Elisha Marvin, 16. For Justices, Beverly M. 
Brown, 35; Proctor Williams. 23; Lyman Webster, 34; Erastus 
Hammond, 18; R. H. Little, 16; Jacob W. Sims, 7. For Com- 
missioner of Highways, Beverly M. Brown, 19; Jacob W. Sims, 

(723) 



724 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



19; Elijah O. Williams, 17; Thomas Robins, l<o; James Trumble, 
16; Elisha Marvin, 16. For School Inspectors, Lyman Webster, 19; 
Hiram M. Brown, 19; Myron L. Root, 16; Joseph Mattheson, 16; 
For Overseer of Poor, Andrew Chappell, 18; Tyler Parkhurst, 
18. For Constables, Geo. Brown, 35; J. W. Sims, 20; Thomas 
Robins, 19; Abner Curtis, 19; Andrew Chappell, 16; Elijah O. 
Williams, 6; Leander McDonald, 16. 

In addition to these officers the following were elected to fill 
the minor township positions; Michael Reardon, Commissioner of 
Highways; Jerome D. Embury, Superintendent of Schools; Orrin 
Cornell. School Inspector; John Wilson, Eliakim Morse, Oliver 
Smith and Hezekiah Cooper, Constables; Lucius Bell, Deputy 
Clerk. 

The following is a list of the principal officers of the township 
since 1853: 

SUPERVISORS. 



Joseph Matheson 1853-'4 

David Sproul 1855 

J. V. Horton .1856 

Theo. F. Smith 1857-'8 

Alfred Williams 1859 

Preserved H. Warren 1860 

Joseph Matheson 18l 

David Sproul 1863-'5 

John Dobson 1 866^7 



Harvey J. Loomis 1868-'9 

John Dobson 1870 

Orville A. Kent 1871 

John Dobson 1872 

Louis P. Racine l873-'4 

Chester A. Branard 1875-'8 

Allen R. Brown 1879 

Enoch Smith 18S0-'l 



CLERKS. 



Calvin Silvernail 1853 

Elisha Marvin 1854-'5 

Chester C. McLean 1856 

James Trumble 1857-'65 

Thomas S. Marr 1866 

James Trumble 1867- , 70 

Warren Campbell 1871 

'Alfred Holmes 1872 



Aaron C. Edwards 1873 

Warren Campbell 1874 

HenrvD. Miller 1875-'6 

Talbot Slenon 1877 

Warren Campbell 1878 

Leonard B. Arger l879-'80 

Middleton S Beach 1881 



TREASURERS. 



Hiram M. Brown 1853 

Dewitt C, Chappell 1854-'5 

Emory Norris 1856 

James Marr 1857 

P.H. Warien 1858 

Isaac Tottan 1859 

Harvey J . Loomis 1860 

DuaneOsborn 1801-'2 

.lames C. Marr 1863 



Isaac Tottan 1864 

James C. Marr 1865-'9 

C. P. Douglass 1870 

Enoch Smith 1871-'2 

William J. Herron 1873-'4 

Enoch Smith l875-'6 

Allen R. Brown 1877-'8 

Isaac Tottan 1879-'80 

Oscar E. Utley .....1881 



BIRCH RUN TOWNS I IIP. 



725 



JUSTICKS OF TIIK PEACE. 



Beverly M. Brown, Proctor Will- 
iam-, Lyman Webster, Erastus 

Hammond 1853 

Elisha Marvin 1854-'5 

Proctor Williams 1856 

red II. Warren 1857 

Chapman Williams 1858 

David Sproul 1859 

Proctor Williams I860 

Robert Colville, John Marr 1861 

ErastUS Hammond 1862 

Henry Perry 1st;:; 

John Dobson. . ■ 18154 

Smith, Nathan Bears 1865 

Win. Wheeler, Thos. Campbell.. 1866 



Robert Campbell 1867 

William J. Herron 1868 

Oliver Smith 1869 

A. D.Rundlet 1870 

David Sproul 1871 

Orville A. Kent 1X72 

David Sproul 1873 

Alfred D. Rundlet, David Devoe.1874 

David Sproul 1875 

Garrett B. Gray 1S7G 

V.B. Rottiers 1X77 

Lucius Bell 1878 

T. L. Runnels 1879 

Alfred Holmes 1 880 

V. B. Rottiers 1881 



FIEST LAND-BUYERS. 



The purchasers of the United States land in this township are 
enumerated as follows: 



Daniel H. Haynes, sec. 1, Jan. 23,1851. 
Rebecca Burhans, see. 1, Dec. 4, 1852. 
J. G. Hunter, sec. 1, Feb. 17, 1854. 
Sarah Hunter, .sec. 1, Jan. !), 1854. 
Joseph Sergeant, sec. 1, July 18, 1854. 
s. A. Godard, sees, l & 2, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Samuel teach, sec. 2, March 6, 1854. 
Othill Bliven, sec 2, Nov. 9, 1854! 
E. Hammond, sec. 2, March 23, 1854. 
John Curry, sec. 2, Feb. 10, 1855. 
Daniel Hammond, sec. ; !, Nov. 4, 1854. 
Alex. Bombard, sec. 3, Dec. 16, 1854. 
John G. Hubinger, sec. 3, Nov. 22, 1853. 
George Pollod, sec. 3, Nov. 22. 1853. 
Leveritt Hodgman, sec.3. April 19,1853. 
Lansing L*evis, sec. 3, Nov. 10, 1854. 
Volney Chapin,sec. 3, Jan. 0, 1854. 
William Bevins, sec. 3. Nov. 10, 1854. 
Richard Hall, sec. 3, Nov. 10, 1854. 
John G. Hubinger, sec. 4, Aug. 6, 1851. 
John Wooding, sec. 4, Jan. 23, 1854. 
1. Hodgman, sec 4. April 19,1853. 
P. < rConnor, sec. 4, March 10. 1855- 
I). A. Pettibone, sec. 4, Feb. 15, 1854. 
John Smith, sec. I, Jan. 6, 1855. 
John Wooding, sec 4, May is. 1854. 
Nicholas Pouch, sec 5, Aug 24 1836. 
John G.Gebhard, sec. 5, Aug. 24 1*86. 
David Diet/., sec. 5, Aug. 24, 1836. 
Jabez W. Troop, sec. 5, Sept. 16. 1836. 
David Sproul. sec. 5, Nov 10, 1854. 
Chas. II Carroll, sec. 5, .June 28, 1836. 
Win. T.Carroll, sec. 5, June 28, 1836. 
Nicholas Bouck, sec. 6, Aug. 25, 1836. 
John G. Gehhard, sec 6, Aug. 25, 1836. 
David Diet/, sec. i>, Aug. 25, 1836. 
Chas. II. Carroll, sec 6. June 28, 1836. 
Win. T. Carroll, sec. 6, June 28. 1836. 
T. L. L. Brent, sec 6, April 11. L836 
Jerome B.Garland, sec. 6, Nov. 8, 1854. 



T. L. L. Brent, sec. 7, April 11, 183G. 
John Adams, sec. 7, Nov. 8, 1854. 
J. J. Charruand, sec 7, June 25, 1836. 
Frederick Baell, sec. 7, June 25, 1836. 
Enoch Smith, sec. 8, March 10, 1854. 
A. Letterman, sec. 8, Oct. 24, 1853. 
John M. Chandler, sec. 8, Jan. 22, 1855 
Chas. H. Carroll, sec. 8. June 28, 1836. 
Win. T. Carroll, sec. 8, June 28, 18:*G. 
Jacob Messenger, sec. 8, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Charles A. Mitts, sec 8, Jan. 16, 1855. 
Gideon Lee, sec. 8, May 3, 1836. 
J. B. Garland, sec. 8, March 30, 1836. 
Thomas Redson. sec. 9, Nov. 11, 1S54. 
John Wooding, sec 9, Nov. 7, 1854. 
John Curry, sec. 10, May 10, and April 

8, 1854. 
C. B. Holinshed, sec 10, Dec. 11, 1854. 
Isaac Lincoln, sec 10, May 15, 1854. 
Silas S. Lee, sec. 10, Dec. 12, 1854. 
John Wooding, sec 10, March 14 1855. 
Volnev Chapin, sec 11, Nov. 3, 1851. 
George M. Dean, sec 11, Nov. 14, 1853. 
Henry B. Dean, sec. 11. Nov. 14, 1853. 
Guy Shaw, sec. 11, Jan. 9, 1855. 
Ebenezer Williams sec 12, May 9,1854. 
Win. Johnson sec. 12, May 20, 1853. 
Volnev Chapin, sec 12, Nov. 3. 1851. 
Julia Noiris, sec 13, Nov. 16, 1853. 
Jonathan Cudney, sec 13, Nov. 10. 1S54. 
Herman Camp, sec 13, Dec. 5, 1853. 
Ho/el Brooks, sec 13, Jan. 16, 1855. 
Herman Cam]), sec. 13, Nov. 17, 1X53. 
John Diamond, sec. 14, Jan. 16. 1855. 
James P»< cklev, sec. 14, Nov. 11, 1X54. 
Proctor Williams, sec. 14. Dec 12. 1854. 
Nathan Beers, sec 15, Dec. 15, 1854. 
Nels«n Doud, sec 15, Nov. 9, 1854. 
George M. Dean, sec 15, Nov. 10. 1854. 
Moses Pv. Norris, sec. 15, Nov. 11, 1854. 



726 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY, 



Williiim Boots, sec. 15, Sept, 3, 1853. 
Gideon Lee, sec. 17, May 3, 1836. 
Chas. H. Carroll, sec. 17, June 28, 1836. 
Wm. T. Carroll, sec. 17, June 28, 1836. 
Wm. Mood, sec. 17, March 28 & 29, 1836. 
Ashel Aylswonh, sec. 17, Oct. 14, 1836. 
Horace Gilpin, jr., sec. 18, Feb. 11, 1837. 
J. J. Charruand, sec. 18, June 25, 1836. 
Frederick Baell, sec. 18, June 25, 1836. 
William Clark, sec. 18, Feb 28, 1851. 
W. H B. Jaillet, sec. 18, March 3, 1851. 
Norman Little, sec. 18, March 3, 1851. 
Peter Gaskin, sec. 19, Feb. 28, 1851. 
N. C. Hayward, sec. 19, Sept. 13, 1836. 
Miclnel Jordon, sec. 19, Feb 28, 1851. 
John Donigan, sec. 19, March 3, 1851. 
Norman Little, sec, 19, March 3, 1851. 
Georo-e C. Moon, sec. 20, March 29, 1836. 
William Moon, sec. 20, March 29, 1836. 
Chas. II. Carroll, tec 20, Jan. 28, 1836. 
Wm. T. Carroll, sec 20, Jan. 28, 1836. 
Nathan Phillips, sec. 20, Nov. 14, 1836. 
Elias Colborn, sec. 20, Nov. 14, 1836. 
Edwin Jerome, sec. 20, May 18, 1836. 
Ezra Saunders, sec. 20, Feb. 28, 1851. 
Miriam S. Newell, sec. 21, Dec. 9, 1850. 
Ansou Jackson, sec. 21, June 16, 1853 
Chas. II. Carroll, sec. 21, June 28, 1836. 
Wm. T. Carroll, sec 21, June 28, 1836 
Gideon Lee, sec 21, March 3, 1836. 
George C. Moon, sec 21, March 29, 1836. 
Emory Norris, sec 22, Nov. 10, 1854 
Giles Bishop, sec. 22, May 6, 1854. 
David VI. Brown, sec. 22, Sept. 3, 1853. 
Harriet B. Martin, sec. 22, June 16, 1853. 
Daniel D. Dewey, sec. 23, Oct. 18, 1854 
Mayor Camp, sec 23, Dec. 28, 1853. 
James C. Decker, sec. 23, Feb. 8, 1855. 
Philip Silvernail, sec. 23, May 1U, 1854. 
Jarev E. Day, sec. 23, Nov. 16, 1854. 
James B. Mitts, sec. 24, Jan. 8, 1855. 
Herman Camp, sec. 24, Dec. 5, 1853. 
Jeffrev Silvernail, sec. 24, Nov. 11,1854 
Garden Kent, sec. 24, Oct. 12, 1853. 
William Simpson, sec. 25, Nov. in, 1854. 
James Wadsworth, sec. 26, July 5, 1836. 
Charles N. Beecher, sec 27, Oct. 9, 1854. 
Edward F. Lacy, sec 27, Dec. 16, 1853. 
Caleb H. Wirts, sec. 27, June 25, 1836. 



C. C. McLean, sec. 27, Oct. 28, 1853. 
Jacob W. Sims, sec 27, Dec. 7, 1853. 
Charles Pratt, sec. 27, Sept. 26, 1836. 

J. J. Charruand, sec 27, June 25, 1836. 
Frederick Baell, sec. 27, June 25, 1836. 
T. L. L. Brent, sec 28, April 11, 1836. 
Peter F. Ewer, sec 28, July 13, 1836. 
Robert Smart, sec 28, March 1, 1836. 

D. G. Hanim r, s c 28, April 25, 1836. 
Nathan Phillips, sec. 28, Nov. 14, 1836. 
Elias Colborn, sec. 28, Nov. 14, 1836. 
M. Wadhams, sec. 2!), March 21, 1837. 
Eliakim Morse, sec. 29, April 27, 1853. 
EzraB. Sparks, sec. 29 Nov. 10, 1854. 
Peter Line's heirs, sec. 29, Aug. 8, 1854. 
Oliver Atherton, sec. 29, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Jacob Fremper, sec. 30, June 15, 1854. 
Clark Briggs, sec 30, Jan. 9, 1855 
Thomas Taursby, sec 3 J, Nov. 10, 1854. 
Wm. Bingham, sec. 30, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Elias J. Bump, sec, 30, Dec. 12, 1853. 
Koyal Morse, sec. 31, Nov. 1, 1853. 
Syivan Comford, sec 31, April 10, 1854. 
John J. Davis, sec. 31, Nov. 10, 1853. 
Herman Camp, sec. 31, Dec. 8, 1853. 
John Truesdell, sec. 32, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Benj . Pearson, sec. 32, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Rowley Morris, sec. 32, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Chas. P. Holmes, sec. 33, April 28, 1836. 
Gideon Lee, sec. 33, May 3. 1836. 
Peter F. Ewer, sec. 8% July 14, 1836. 
Phil. Truesdell, sec. 33, Aug 26, 1836. 
II. E. Dibble, sec 33, June 25, 1836. 
Chas H. Carroll, sec. 33, June 28, 1836. 
Wm. T. Carroll, sec 33, June 28, 1836. 
Rowley Morris, sec 33, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Chris. Like, jr., sec. 34, Sepi. 26, 1836. 
Chas. H. Carrol], sec. 34, June 28, 1836. 
Wm. T. Carrol], sec. 34, June 28, 1836. 
Robert Smart, sec. 34, March 1, 1836. 
R. Blackmer, sec. 34, Sept. 24, 1836. 
Wm. Richardson, sec 34, Sept. 24, 1836. 
David Smart, sec. 34, March 1, 1836. 
George Call, sec 35, Sept. 26, 1836. 

M. Wadhams, sec. 35, March 21, 1837. 
F. McDonald, sec. 35, Sept 26, 1836. 
R, Blackmer, sec. 35, Sept. 24, 1836. 
John Rathbun, sec. 36, Dec 31, 1853. 
M. Wadhams, sec. 36, March 21, 1837. 



Few of those patentees bscame permanent settlers. The present 
occupying proprietors purchased their lands from them, and there- 
fore claim all the credit for bringing this portion of the county into 
its present high state of cultivation. 



THE SCHOOLS. 



There are eight districts in the township, each possessing a sub- 
stantial frame school-building, which with other school property are 
valued at $5,300. Not one of the schools is graded. The number 
of children enrolled is 459, of which number 371 were reported as 



BIRCH RUN TOWNSHIP. 72 7 

regular attendants. The total expenditures for the year ending 
1880 were $2,884.66. The amount derivable from primary school 
fund was $191.04; the sum of district taxes, $1,766.90; the amount 
of. the two-mill tax was $169.59; from other sources, $187.32. The 
total indebtedness of the districts is $785. The number of 
teachers employed in 1880 was 14, of whom six were males. 

There is only one tavern in the township, viz.: that of Davhl 
Spronl, on section 1 7. 

THE VILLAGE OF BIRCH RUN 

contains four grocery stores, operated by Messrs. Beach & 
Finch, M. J. Collom, L. P. Racine, and C. M. Bock. The latter 
lias a shoemakers shop in connection with the store. The railroad 
runs through this village. The present station agent is Alfred W. 
Mdvee. The hotel kept by Mr. Finch has been in operation for 
a number of years. The population of the village is about 75. 

The first Baptist church was built in 1872. It is a neat frame 
structure. The society of this church is large and influential. 
Under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Niles, it continues to make great 
advances. The temperance workers of the town are energetic and 
able in the advocacy of the sacred cause. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

The rest of the history of Birch Run township can be better told 
in the form of brief personal sketches of its principal citizens, many 
of whom are the pioneers that opened the settlements here and 
materially helped to make this community what it is to-day. 

John Armstrong, farmer, sec. 17; P. O., Birch Run; was born 
in England, in 1808, and is a son of John and Dorothy Armstrong. 
In 1841 he came to America, landing in Quebec; 1849 landed in 
East Saginaw. In 1852 came to this tp. ; has served one term as 
Highway Commissioner. He was married in England, in 1833, to 
Ruth Hutton, who was born in 1810. Five children were born to 
them, 4 of whom are living — James, Elizabeth, wife of Simon 
Bharrow, Hannah, wife of Benjamin Bauker, and David. Ruth is 
deceased. Mrs. Armstrong died in 1841. Mr. A. is a member of 
the Episcopal Church and is a Republican. He owns 117 acres of 
land. 

Clark Brlggs, farmer, sec. 30, was born in New York, Jan. 8, 
L808, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah Briggs, both natives of 
New York. Clark was raised on a farm, and has pursued the vo- 
cation of a farmer through life. In 1854 he came to Saginaw 
county with only 10 shillings in his pocket, and at present he owns 
L66 acres of good land, and is comfortably situated in life. lie 
was married in 1838 to Phoebe Pierce, who was born in New York 
in 1812. Of their children only 3 survive — Phoebe, wife of Peter 
Baldwin; Eunice, wife of Nelson Morse, and James. Two sons, 
Clark and Francis, lost their lives during the civil war. 



728 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Allen C. Close, farmer, sec. 32, was born in Ireland in 1809. 
He came to America in 1835, and to Michigan in 1863. He was 
married in Ireland to Catherine Doane, who was born in the 
"Emerald Isle 1 ' in 1809. They have 3 children — Daniel, Alice, 
wile of John Dewey, and William. Mr. Close is a member of the 
Roman Catholic Church. 

Marl 'in J. Colin, general merchandise, Birch Run Station, was 
born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 10, 1837. His parents are 
Xavier and Julia (Hory) Colin, natives of France. Marlin was 
reared on a farm, and when of age went to sea, remaining on the 
waters fur 10 or 12 years. He then came to this county and 
entered the general mercantile trade with L. P. Racine. He has been 
postmaster of Birch Run Station since July 19, 1S75. He is con- 
nected with the Masonic and I. O. G. T. (being W. C. T.) societies, 
and a member of the M, E. Church and Republican party. He 
was married in New York to Phoebe M. Johnson, a native of the 
" Empire State." They have 3 children — Albert J., Louis and Ed- 
mond D. 

G. W. Coon, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Birch Run; was born in New 
York, May 9, 1815. His parents were George and Nancy Coon, 
the former a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of Vermont. 
G. W. was married May 25, 1840, to Eliza A. Cotter, who was born in 
Jefferson Co., N. Y., Feb. 4, 1820, and was a daughter of John 
and Lucy (Wilson) Cotter, natives of Vermont. One child was 
born to this union, Victoria L. Mrs. Coon died in 1873, and at 
Flint, Mich., in 1878, Mr. C. married Lucinda Carr, who was born 
in Canada, May 25, 1834, and is a daughter of Moses and Elizabeth 
Carr, the former a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of 
Connecticut. Mr. Coon is a Mason, and has been Township As- 
sessor in the State of New York. 

Truman Curtis, farmer, sec. 26; P. 0. T Pine Grove; was born in 
New York, March 4, 1804; parents were Jeremiah and Mary Curtis, 
natives of Massachusetts, and of English descent; father died when 
subject was small, and he was bound out to work for a Presbyterian; 
was severely whipped for attending a Methodist meeting, and ran 
away from his master; he has been a farmer through life, with 
exception of a few years at cabinet and chair making; was Justice 
of the Peace three years; has been Highway Commissioner and 
School Director, and is connected with I. O. O. F.; was married 
Oct. 20, 1823, to Sophronia Gillett, who was born in Cortland Co., 
N. Y., in 1805; of 7 children given them, 5 are living — Silva A., 
wife of Jonathan Smith, of New York; Lauren, James, Sophia and 
Emmett. His wife died in 1849. He was married again in Ohio to 
Barbara Ferguson, who was born in Lake Co., O., April 5, 1824. 
They have 6 children — George, Josephine, Charles, Albert, Ella and 
John M.; subject and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and 
well-respected citizens of Birch Run tp. 

Samuel Dexter, farmer, sec. 19, was born in New York, Jan. 17, 
1816, and is a son of Samuel and Mary Dexter, both natives of 



BIRCH RUN TOWNSHIP. 729 

Massachusetts. Mr. Dexter came to Saginaw county in 1863, and 
now owns 43 acres of good farm land. He is a man thoroughly 
posted on ecclesiastical matters, having formerly been a minister of 
the gospel. He was married in 1841 to Mary Coon, who was born 
Oct. 31, 1819, and is a daughter of George and Nancy (Butten) 
Coon, her father of Rhode Island, her mother of the State of New 
York. Five children have been given them, 2 of whom are living — 
George S., Edna E.. wife of John Bellinger. The deceased are 
Sarah J., Ella and Nancy M. 

Morgan Dodge, farmer, sec. 28, was born in Jefferson Co., 
N. Y., Sept. 24. 1821, and is a son of Obed and Betsey (Merrill) 
Dodge, the former a native of New Jersey, of English descent, and 
the latter a native of Vermont, of French ancestry. Mr. Dodge 
learned the ship-carpenter's trade in 1839, and worked at it for 17 
years, lie was also engaged in the lumber business, and was fore- 
man of a large ship-yard for several years. He came to Saginaw 
county in 1877, and since then has tilled several township offices. 
He owns 80 acres of farm land. Mr. Dodge was married in Jeffer- 
son Co.. N. Y., in August, 1849, to Maria, daughter of Carlton and 
Pruda Parker, who was born in Canada West in 1830. They have 
3 children — Carlton, born in 1854; Edward, born in 1862, and 
George, born in 1864. 

A. C. Edwards, farmer, sec. 29, was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 23, 1839, and is a son of Pierpont and Lucinda (Williams) 
Edwards, the former of whom died while on a visit to tins county 
in 1879. The latter is still living, and resides with the subject of 
this sketch. Mr. Edwards was married in New Y r ork, in 1863, to 
Flora, daughter of Richard and Mary Near. Mrs. Edwards was 
born in Jefferson Co., N. Y 7 ., in 1841. They have 1 child, May, 
born Sept. 12, 1870. Mr. Edwards is connected with the I. O. O. F., 
the Baptist Church, and the Republican party. He owns 80 acres 
of land. P. O., Birch Run. 

William H. Ferguson, farmer, sec. 28, was born in New York 
Oct. 15, 1844. His parents were Jeremiah G. and Sallie J. (Honey- 
stead) Ferguson, natives of New Y"ork. The latter is still living, 
and resides with her son. In 1861 William H. enlisted in Co. E, 
33d N. Y. Light Artillery, serving three years in the service of the 
Union. He is a member of the Greenback party: owns 40 
acres of land. He was married in 1S65 to Mary A. King, who was 
born in England in 1814. They have 5 children — Louisa, William, 
John, George and Lucinda. 

Reynear Hoaglavd, fanner, sec. 21 ; P. O., Birch Run ; was born 
in New Jersey June 23, 1847; parents are Elias and Maria Hoag- 
land, natives of New Jersey; subject of this sketch came to Saginaw 
county in 1869; was in the "construction corps" of the Union 
army 18 months, during the civil war; is Democratic in politics; 
was married in Genesee Co., Mich., in 1871, to Mary Shay, who 
was born in Lenawee county in 1847; they have 1 child — Lizzie, 
born Sept. 2, 1871; subject owns SO acres of land. 



730 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Hon. Alfred Holmes, retire 1 fanner, was born in Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., March 22, 1805, and is a son of Caleb and Eunice Holme, 
natives of Connecticut. Mr. Holmes lived on alarm until 16 years 
of age, when he learned the blacksmith's and carpenter's trades. He 
came to Michigan in 1837, first locating in Livingston county, and 
in 1843 in Saginaw count}'. He is Democratic in politics, and 
in 1848 was elected to represent this district in the Michigan Legis- 
lature. Since then he has tilled various tp. offices, and has given gen- 
eral satisfaction. He was married in New York, in 1830, to Elmira 
Hillier, who was born in New York in 1805. Of the 2 children born 
to this marriage, 1 survives — Ada A. Mrs. Holmes died in 1836, 
and in 1865 Mr. H. was joined in marriage to Mrs. Jane Davis, 
who was born in New York in 1830. They have 1 child — Edith, 
born in October, 1870. Mrs. Holmes has 4 children by a former 
marriage — Erma A., wife of Tabor Davis; Anna E., wife of Cy- 
renius Finch; Nora, wife of M. S. Beach, and Allie. Mr. Holmes' 
portrait is given in this volume. See page 239. 

Orville A. Kent, farmer, sec. 36; P. O., Arbela, Tuscola Co., 
Mich. ; was born in Portage Co., Ohio, Aug. 14, 1834; parents are 
Gurdon and Huldah (Granger) Kent, natives of Connecticut. Sub- 
ject of sketch was reared on a farm, and has followed agricultural 
pursuits through life; now owns a farm of 240 acres, all the result 
of hard toil and economy ; was Supervisor of tp. for one term and 
has held various other tp. offices; was married in Saginaw county, 
in 1857, to Sophia Curtis, daughter of Truman and Sophronia 
(Gillet) Curtis; wife was born in New York, Aug. 11, 1840; 6 
children given them, 3 living — Bert. G., born Oct. 17, 1871; 
Fred., born Nov. 7, 1869, and Emelia, born Sept. 7, 1877; deceased 
are— Orson N., born Aug. 2, 1860, and died July 26, 1867; Ole G., 
born Aug. 8, 1864, and died July 12, 1867; and Otis, born SeDt. 
21, 1867, and died Oct. 28, 1867. 

Augustus Letterman, farmer, sec. 6, Birch Run tp., was born 
in London, England, in 1824; parents were Richard and Catharine 
Letterman; subject of sketch was reared a " farmer's boy" and has 
been successfully engaged in farming through life; he was one 
of the pioneer settlers of Birch Run tp; he owns 200 acres of farm 
land; was married in Canada, Jan. 15, 1850, to Anna McNeal, who 
was born in Ireland in 1825. Ten children have been given them — 
Kate, Ellen, Robert, Frank, Bessie, Maggie, Archie, Jennie, Mary 
and Rachel. 

Harry Letterman, farmer, sec. 6, was born in Upper Canada, 
Feb. 14, 1836; parents are Richard and Catherine LettermaD, 
natives of England, who came to America in 1834; subject ol 
sketch was reared on a farm, and came to Saginaw county in 1856, 
where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits; ut pres- 
ent owns 160 acres of good land ; was married in this county, March 
27, 1864, to Mary Dobson, who was born in Genesee Co., N. 
Y.j Nov. 4, 1842. Of 5 children born to this union, 1 are liv- 
ing — Clara B., born Jan. 23, 1864; Eveline, born Jan. 18, 1866; 
Allie, born Dec. 23, 1871: and Delia, born Oct, 1, 18tf9. Albert 



BIRCH RUN TOWNSHIP. 7">1 

was born Oct. 1, 18 — , and died Sept. 8, 18 — . Mr. L. is a^Repub- 
lican, and has held various tp. offices. 

Joseph Matthcivson, the oldest living settler of Birch Run tp., 
was born in Scotland, Nov. 5, 1819, and is a son of William and 
Margaret Matthewson, natives of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. 
They emigrated to America in 1823, settling in Canada, but in 
1836 located in Lenawee Co., Mich. Joseph located in this tp. 
in 1849, when Indians were as common as pine trees. He now 
owns 115 acres of good land on sees. 6 and 16. He was married in 
this county in 1850, to Caroline, daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth 
Smith, who was born in New York in 1831. They have 10 children 
— William II.: Ada, wife of Charles Beach; David, George, Mar- 
garet, Clark. Hannah, wife of William Bid well; John,Elizabeth and 
Joseph. Mr. Matthewson has been Supervisor of Birch Run tp. 
for four years, and during the late war was enrolling officer for 
Gdvernment. 

Christopher Nicholis, farmer, sec. 6; P. O., Cass Bridge; was 
born in England in 1831; came to America in 1853, locating in 
Ingham Co.. Mich., where he remained until 1860, when he settled 
in Saginaw county; was married in 1852 to Eliza Foster, who was 
born in England in 1831. Of the 10 children born to them, 6 are 
living — Harry. Sarah, Charles S., George W., Frederick and Mary 
E. His wife died in 1870. He was married again in 1879 to Mary 
Burnison, who was born in Canada in 1847. They have 1 child, 
Benjamin. Subject has beenJustice of the Peace, and tilled several 
other tp. offices; owns 70 acres of land, is a member of the M. E. 
Church, and votes for the candidates of the Republican party. 

Raphael Porter, farmer, sec. 20; P. O., Birch Run; was born in 
Jerterson Co., N. Y., Dec. 16, 1825; parents were Asa and Tabitha 
Porter, natives of New York. Subject of sketch came to this count v 
in 1866; was married the same year to Sarah E. Warden, who was 
born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.,in 1847. They have 1 child, Augus- 
tus, born in 1877. Subject has held various tp. offices, and is a 
member of I. O. O. F. lodge, No. 292, of Birch Run. He owns a 
farm of 75 acres. 

J. J. Powell was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 
l s :'.5; parents are Miles and Polly Powell. Subject of sketch has 
been engaged in butchering and farming through life; in 1864 he 
enlisted in Co. B, 4th Reg. Mich. Cav., and assisted in the capture 
of Jefferson Davis; has been Assessor aud Director of Schools of 
Birch Run tp.; was; married in this county Jan. 1, 1856, to Sarah 
E. Jacobs, daughter of Francis and Maria Jacobs. His wife was born 
in Vermont, Oct. 14, 1837. Nine children have been given them— 
Emma E., Margery, Miles, William R., Jackson (deceased), Harvey, 
Jason, Arthur. Gertrude and Benjamin. 

Louis P. Racine, merchant, Birch Run Station, was born in 
France, Feb. 25, 1839. His parents, Peter and Margaret (Crois- 
sant) Racine were natives of France and emigrated to America in 
184S. They reside at present in Jefferson Co., N. Y., where the 

44 



732 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

former is a successful farmer. Louis lived amid rural scenes until 
of age, when he shipped as a sailor on the " great lakes,'' following 
that kind of work in summer, and teaching school in winter for 
seven years. Mr. Racine was a poor man upon his arrival in Sag- 
inaw county, but by hard toil and economy has succeeded in the 
world, and now owns a good farm of 111 acres, also other property. 
He is an enterprising business man, and well respected. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., and the Republican party. He was 
married in New York March 6, 1866, to Melitine Calon, daughter 
of H. Calon, and born in New York, November, 1838. Two children 
were given them — George D., born Jan. 20, 1867, and Eugene 0., 
born in this county in 1870. Mrs. Racine departed this life in 1876, 
and Mr. Racine was again married in Genesee Co., Mich., in 1879, 
to Mrs. Sarah L. (Randall) Fangboner, a daughter of Sealand 
and Sarah Randall, the former a native of Vermont, of English de- 
scent, and the latter of New Jersey, and of German parentage. Mrs. 
Racine was born in New York, Feb. 1, 1840. 

Victor B. Rottiers, a prominent farmer of Birch Run tp., was 
born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 24, 1842; parents were John 
N. and Ruth A. (Cotter) Rottiers, former a native of France, latter 
of New York; subject of sketch, in 1862, enlisted in Co. G, 10th 
Reg. N. Y. Heavy Artillen-, and served three years, being dis- 
charged with the rank of 1st Lieutenant; emigrated to Saginaw 
county in 1865; now owns 280 acres of land on sec. 35; has been 
Highway Commissioner, and is serving second term as Justice of the 
Peace; was married in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1869, to Emily, 
daughter of Jacob and Anna Shubenburg, natives of Prussia; wife 
was born May 24, 1846; have 2 children — John N., born Oct. 14, 
1871, and Anna R., born Oct. 28, 1875. 

Thomas L. Rimnells, farmer, sec. 21; P. O., Birch Run; was 
born in Maine, July 31, 1825, and is a son of David and Sarah 
(McDowell) Rnnnells, of Scotch descent. Thomas spent his early 
life on a farm until 19 years of age, then worked in lumber camps 
in winter, and at the saw-mills in summer. He came to Michigan 
in 1851, and during the war was Lieut, of a Michigan company. 
Since his return from the army, he has been a Justice of the Peace, 
and also school officer. He was married in 1853 to Rhoda Marr, 
who was born in Canada in 1830. Three children were given them, 
two of whom are living — Cora E., born Dec. 21, 1856, and Eliza- 
beth M., born Nov. 6, 1861. Francis L. was born May 28, 1854, 
and died Jan. 7, 1865. Mrs. Runnells died in 1855, and Mr. R. 
married, in this State, his wife's sister, Adelia C. Marr, who was 
born in Canada in 1837. They have 1 child, William L., born 
Aug. 26, 1868. 

David Sprout, jr., farmer and inn-keeper, sec. 13; P. O., Birch 
Run; was born in Scotland, June 3, 1811, and is a son of David 
and Nancy Sproul. Daniel immigrated to America in 1824, settling 
m Genesee Co., N. Y.; in 1835 in Lenawee Co., Mich.; in 1842 in 
Gcnes°e Co., and in 1853 in Saginaw county. Mr. Sproul has been 



BIRCH RUN TOWNSHIP. 733 

Justice of the Peace for 20 years; was Supervisor six years, and is 
Democratic in politics. He own 81 acres of land, the fruit of his 
own labor and perseverance. Me was married in New York, 
March 14, 1834, to Hannah J. Matthewson, who was born at Glas- 
gow, Scotland, Sept. 1, 1816. 

J. L. Thompson, farmer, was born in New York in 1830, son 
of Daniel and Sarah (Kinney) T. He was reared on a farm, 
and has been a farmer through life. He is a local minister of the 
Protestant Methodist Church, and does good service in the cause 
• it' his Master. He was married in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1854, to 
Eleanor Cook, who was born in New York in 1834, and is a 
daughter of John and Alvira Cook. Three children have been 
given them, only one of whom is living — Rosa M., born Aug. 29, 
1867. Mr. T. owns 28 acres of good land. 

Isaac Toff o», farmer sec. 20, was born in New York, March 30, 
1829. His parents were Isaac and Catherine Totton, natives of 
New York, the former of whom died in 1853; the latter resides 
with the subject of this sketch. Mr. Totton came to this county 
in 4854, carrying all he possessed on his back for seven miles. He 
now owns 80 acres of good land, has a pleasant home, and bears 
the good will and esteem of all his acquaintances. He was mar- 
ried in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1854, to Calista Adams, who was 
born in 1833. Of their 6 children, 5 survive — Ella, wife of Silas 
KiK.wles; Frank, Mora, Eddie and Allie. Mr. Totton has been 
Township Treasurer; is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 292. 

Jacob Tremper, farmer, sec. 30, was born in New York, Aug. 
24. 1810. He was a son of Jacob and Anna (Decater) Tremper, 
both of German descent. Jacob lived on a farm until 14 years of 
age and then changed his life and followed the sea during the 
summer, and built boats during the winter season. He remained 
at this business for 18 or 20 years, and in 1854 came to Saginaw 
county, where he has since resided. Atone time he owned 280 
acres of land. He has served in nearly all the tp. offices, 
and was Postmaster of Birch Run for seven years. He has been a 
member of the School Board for over 20 years, and is connected 
with the Baptist Church. He was married in New York, July 13, 
1*34, to Miss S. A. Phelps, who was born in Canada, June 5, 
1816, and is a daughter of Daniel and Harriet (Emerson) Phelps, 
both of English descent. Of the 9 children given them, 8 are 
living — Daniel B., James G., Michael, Harriet M., wife of D. 
Webster, of Reed' City; Sybil B., wife fof Allen Brown; Harry 
J., llailtv M. and Allie E.," wife of Frank Strong. Augusta C, 
(deceased) left a child, Edith, who resides with her grand-parents. 



BLUMFIELD TOWNSHIP. 

This section of the count} 7 is inhabited by an industrious class 
of agriculturists, who may be said to have raised the wilder- 
ness to the condition of a beautiful garden within a few years. The 
township is watered by three streams, the principal of which is the 
Cheboygan creek, rising in section 8, and flowing southeast through 
the village of Blumfield. 

The Detroit & Bay City railroad runs through the northeastern 
sections, while the line of the proposed St. Clair railroad has been 
surveyed through the southwestern sections. 

The land is a rich sandy loam, capable of producing any of the 
crops known in this latitude. The village of Frankentrost, or 
Trostville, is the main center of population in the township. 

Toward the close of 1852 the freeholders inhabiting that portion 
of the county known in the United States survey as township 12 
north, of range 6 east, made application to the Supervisors' Board 
for its organization into a separate township. This application 
was granted Feb. 9,1853, in the following terms: "That the 
above described territory be, and and the same is, hereby duly 
organized into a township, to be known and designated by the 
name of Blumfield, which said township is described as being 
within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the county of Sagi- 
naw, in the State of Michigan; and be it further resolved that the 
first annual meeting for the election of township officers for the 
further organization of said township, be held at the house 
of John G. Edelmann, situate in said township of Blumfield, on the 
first Monday in April next, and that the following named persons, 
to wit: Frederick Yanfliet, Theodore Lillotte and Bernhard Haack, 
being three electors of said township, be, and they are hereby, duly 
designated and appointed to preside at said township meeting, and 
to perform all the duties required by the statute in such cases 
made and provided. 

The vote on the resolution to grant the application was unani- 
mously in the affirmative, all the members voting. 

The first township meeting was held at the house of J. J. Edel- 
man, April 4, 1853. The officers elected were : Charles Post, Su- 
pervisor; Bernard Haak, Clerk; S, P. Schenck, Treasurer; F. 
Vanfliet and Andrew Moll School Inspectors; J. Schabergand C. 
Munker, Directors of the Poor; J. Hetzner and C. Grabner, Asses- 
sors; J. Leidlein, J. G. Meyer, L.Rohrhuber and M.Schnell, Justices 
of the Peace; C.Peitter, L. RohrhuberandM. Leidlein, Commission- 
ers of Highways; M.Schnell and.T. Flues, Constables; J. S. Schury, 
Poundmaster; T. Schmidt and J. Leidlein, Overseers of Highways. 

(734) 



BLUMFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



735 



Tlieodore Lillotte was justice of the peace while still the township 
was attached to the township of Buena Vista, and completed his 
term of office as justice of the new township. The names of the 
principal township officers from 1853 to 18S1 are given in the fol- 
lowing table: — 



SUPERVISORS. 



( lharlea Post 1853-4 

.1. <;. Schnell 1855 

Bernard Haak 1856 

John G. Schnell 1857 



Bernard Haak 1858-60 

Charles Schlickum 1861 

Bernard Haak 1862-72 

B. Haak 1873-81 



CLERKS. 



1 ternard Haak 1853 

Bit. Haak 1854 

A. Schmitz 1855 

F. Vanfliet 1856 

Henry Fugman 1857 

G. F." Vanfliet 1858 

Charles Schlickum 1859-69 



George F. Vanfliet 1870 

Will. Schnetler 1871-2 

Wm. Schnetler 1873 

John G. Schnell 1874-78 

Wm. Schnetler 1879 

Charles Schlickum 1880-81 



TREASURERS. 



J. P. Schenck 1853 

Geo. Schnell 1854 

J. P. Schenck 1855 

T. G. Meier 1856 

John <x. Meyer 1857 

Chas. Schlickum 1858 

Gottfried Hope 1859 

Theo. Lupee 1860 

J. G. Meier 1861 

Theo. Schmidt 1862-4 

Henry Luneburgh 1865-6 



Theo. Schnetler 1867-8 

W. H. Schnetler 1869 

Henry Luneburg 1870-2 

M.Meier 1873 

J.M.Meier 1874-5 

Michael Meier 1876 

J. M. Meier 1877-8 

Henry Luneburg 1879 

M.J.Meier 1880 

John M.Meier 1881 



JUSTICES. 



Theodore Lillotte,! 
J. Leidlien. 

J. <;. Meyer. \ 1853 

L. Kohrhuber, 
M. Srhnell 

F. Vanfliet., 1854 

M. Huber 1855 

Fred. Zwerk 1856 

Preserved B. Shuman 1857 

CharlThiele 1858 

Wm. Hill, Michael Huber 1859 

Bernard Haak 1860 

J.G. Schnell 1861 

Emere Marsh 1862 

W. Hill, C. Lupee 1863 

B. Haak, A. Lovejoy 1864 

F. Vanfliet 1865 



Martin Powell 1866 

Dan Cole 1867 

B. Haak 1868 

Geo. F. Vanfliet 1869 

Martin Powell 1870 

Dan Cole 1871 

B. Haak, Adolph Zwerk 1872 

J. G.Schnell 1873 

Adolph Zwerk 1874 

Daniel Cole 1875 

Bernard Haak 1876 

John G. Schnell 1877 

Adolph Zwerk 1878 

John Wibber 1879 

Bernard Haak 1880 

Michael Huber 1881 



The other township officers for 1881 are Ohr. Kupp, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Geo. F. Vanfliet, Superintendent of Schools; 



736 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 






Adolph Zwerk, Inspector; Daniel Cole, Wm. Hill, A. McLachlan 
and Franz Moll, Constables. 



LAND-BUYERS. 



Among the early purchasers of the United States lands in this 
township, the following corporations and individuals figure: 



F. & P. M. R. R, sec. 1, May 9, 1859- 
A. L. & T. B. R.R., sec. 1, May 9, 1859. 
John Krick, sec. 1, Aug. 28, 1855. 
Herman Huss, sec. 2, March 28, 1860. 
Wm. S. Evans, sec. 8, July 17, 18 55. 
Henry Schurttler, sec. 9, Oct. 18, 1855. 
Harriet Sherman, sec. 9, Oct. 30, 1855. 
Wm. S. Evans, sec. 9, July 24, 1855. 
Stephen Lazko, sec. 10, Jan. 26, 1856. 
Jehudi Ashmun, sec. 10, Aua;. 9, 1859. 

G. F. Vanfleit, sec. 10, April 12, 1854. 
Frederick Elbers, sec. 10, Jan. 5, 1853. 
Joseph Crick, sec. 11, Aug. 28, 1855. 

F. & P. M. R. R., sec. 11, May 9, 1859. 
A. L. & T. B. R. R., sec. 11 , May 9, 1859. 
Adam Crick, sec. 12, April 9, I860. 
Nelson Vickery, sec. 12, July 5, 1855. 



F. & P. M. R. R., sec. 17, May 9, 1859. 
A. L. & T. B. R. R., sec. 17, May 9, 1959. 
A. Watrous, jr., sec. 17, May 31, 1855. 
Aaron Burdick, sec. 18, July 24, 1855. 
Wm. Rice, sec. 19, Jan. 31, 1837. 
Johann Beyer, sec. 20, Aug. 2, 1852. 
J. G. Mayerhuber, sec. 20, Nov. 1, 1850. 
Conrad Grabner, sec. 20, Oct. 21, 1850. 
Conrad Runking, sec. 20, Jan. 7, 1850. 
Anthony Schmitz, sec. 22, Sept. 13, '55. 
Christ'r Betow, sec. 28, April 27, 1855. 
Johann Keifner, sec. 28, Feb. 1, 1855. 
Alrnira Woodford, sec. 30, Feb. 14, 1837. 
Venus Howe, sec. 30, April 22, 1837. 
R. A. Quartermass, sec. 30, Jan. 31, '37. 
Alrnira AVoodford, sec. 30, Jan. 31, 1837. 



TBE SCHOOLS 

of the township are well attended. There are six frame buildings, 
with other property, valued at $3,000. Six teachers are employed. 
The school census is 513; but the actual attendance is only 301 
pupils. The amount of salary paid to teachers for the year 1880 
was $1,351. The expenditures for school purposes during that 
year were $2,430. 

THE CHURCHES 

comprise a Catholic Church, and one German Evangelical Lutheran, 
both claiming large congregations. 

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 



is represented in this township by the saw-mill of Geo. Seitz, 
erected in 1876 by the present proprietors on the site of the former 
mills, which were burned. 

The population of the township, taken from the census returns 
of 1880, is 1,369. During the past year, however, new settlers 
have made their locations, large clearances have been effected in 
the forest, many dwelling-houses erected, and a general advance 
made evident every where. 



"DI.UMFIKI.I) TOWNSHIP. 737 

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 

The following biographical sketches of some of the prominent 
families of Blumtield township add materially to the interest and 
value of this history: 

F. A. GurUher was born in Prussia in 1822; his school days 
were passed at Goldlauter, near Suhl, after which he entered the 
mercantile and manufacturing business, which previously had been 
conducted by his father. In the spring of 1855 he emigrated to 
America, and in the fall of the same year located in this section of 
the State, where he again engaged in his old pursuits, continuing 
until 1864:. Then he disposed of his business and bought the prop- 
erty upon which he now resides, in Bloomlield tp. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary A. G. Spreckel, who died in May, 1879. 

B. Haak was born in the Rhenish Province of Prussia; emi- 
grated to the United States of America in 184:9; worked at his 
trade of carriage-making in New Jersey until April, 1850; selected 
Michigan, especially Saginaw county, for permanent location; 
found a desirable location in what was then a dense forest, and is 
now the well-cultivated tp. of Blumfield; acquired a good 
home, which he still occupies; was married in 1854, at St. Louis, 
Mo. Two children have been born to them — 1 son, who died in 
his eighth year, and 1 daughter, now the wife of one of Thomas- 
town's respected citizens. Mr. H. is one of Blumtield's most 
benevolent and trusted citizens. 

Michael Haber was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1827. His 
father was by trade a tailor, in the old country. In 1847 they 
emigrated to America, coming directly to Saginaw county, first 
renting a farm in Tittabawassee, where he remained a short time. 
In 1854 he bought the 80 acres upon which he now resides, to 
which he has added 40 acres near by, in Bnena Vista tp. Mr. H. 
has been a hard-working man, having cleared four farms; to-day 
he enjoys the result of his hard labor, having accumulated four 
improved farms, well stocked, all from a capital of $6, that being 
the amount he had when he arrived in Saginaw county. Mrs. H. 
was once losfrcoming from East Saginaw to her home, a distance 
of about seven miles, wandering about three days, when she came 
out at Bay City, an Indian returning her to her home. Mr. II. 
was married in 1848, to Maggie Eidleman. Their famil}' consists 
of 10 children, namely: John, Kate, George, Leonard. Mike, 
.Mary. Charlie, Fred, Lena and Willie. Mr. H. is School Director, 
which position he has held for eight years; three years Director 
and Superintendent of the Saginaw & Vassar plank road; has 
been Justice of the Peace for the second term of four years; was 
also Clerk of St. John's cemetery six years. 

Joint G. Maeder was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1821. 
Godfried, his father, was a tradesman in the old country. John S. 
was married in Saxony; in 1847 he emigrated to this country. Mr 
M. is an economical, hard-working citizen, who now can look out 



738 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

upon 80 acres of well- improved land as the result of his industry. 
His family consists of 2 sons — Leonard and John. 

Geo. Seits, one of the live, energetic men of Blumfield, was born 
in Bavaria in 1818; in 1848 he came to America, landing in New 
York city; from that point he came direct to the Saginaw Valley; 
after arriving here he found employment with the well-known 
pioneer of this county, Curtis Emerson, as head sawyer in his 
mill. In 1854 he moved to his present home of 160 acres, to 
which he has added 110 more; upon this he has shown his old 
proclivities, that of milling, having erected a large saw-mill, to 
which he contemplates adding a flouring mill. Mr. Seitz was mar- 
ried in 1853 to Miss Caroline Kuhn, a native of Austria, and his 
family now consists of 7 children, 4 of whom are living — Otto, 
George, Albertina, Emish. Many are the incidents told by this 
old pioneer which cause a smile to light the face of his friends ol 
former days. 

Adolph Zwerk was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1831; 
was educated at one of the leading seminaries of that country for a 
teacher, which profession he followed up to 1852, when he sought 
a home in the New World, arriving in Saginaw county, Aug. 28, 
the same year; that fall he bought his present farm of 100 acres, 
which he has cleared and improved. Now, in his declining years, 
he enjoys the fruits of his hard labor. In 1858 lie was mar- 
ried to Miss Jane Letting, a native of Germany. Mr. Z. has held 
different offices of trust in his tp., and ranks as one of the first 
men of his community. 

Frederic Zwerk was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, July 4, 
1835; his early days were passed at school in his native country. 
In 1852 he emigrated to America, locating in Blumfield tp., 
where he bought a farm of 175 acres, which he has developed, 
placing thereon as fine improvements as can be found in his 
tp. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary Kroger, whose 
parents are residents of Tuscola county. His family consists of 
the following named children: Matilda, Rudolph, Henry, Emma 
and Fred., all at the old homestead. 



BRADY TOWNSHIP. 



The first township meeting after the organization was held in 
April of the same year, when John Card was elected Supervisor, 
John Curless, Clerk, and Richard Walsh, Treasurer. 

Philip Mickle, in 1847, was the first white man to settle in this 
township permanently. His location was on section 36, on land 
owned by Isaac S. Bockee. Mr. Mickle also built the first house, 
a frame i4xl6, which he kept as a tavern. This was within the 
limits of what is now the village of Oakley. Other parties soon 
began to settle in the township, among whom were Josiah F. Coy, 
Richard Walsh, Frank O'Connor, John Haley, Michael Keyes and 
Sam. Whitney. 

Brady township embraces 37^ sections of land. The surface is 
somewhat broken, and heavily timbered with black walnut, oak, 
beech, maple, elm, ash and basswood, and in the north part some 
pine. Maple sugar grounds are somewhat extensive. The soil is 
various, sandy, gravelly and clayey in different places. It is drained 
by numerous small streams — the western half by the south branch 
of Mad river. 

The first school-house was erected in 1855, on the northwest 
quarter of sec. 32, Frank O'Connor's name being the first on 
the petition for this building. Mary Dodge was the first teacher. 
The first postoffice was established in 1S63, on sec. 32, when Josiah 
F. Coy was appointed the postmaster. 

ORGANIC. 

The following is a transcript from the records of the Board, 
in session Jan. 1<>, 1S56: 

Whereas, The application of fourteen freeholders, residents of the following un- 
organized territory, to-wit : Township No. nine (9) north, of range No. two (2) 
east, and township No. nine (0) north, of range No. one (1) east, has been duly 
made to organize said territory into a new township, and a map thereof having been 
furnished the Board of Supervisors of Saginaw county; and, whereas, a notice in 
writing of such application, subscribed toby not less than twelve of said freeholders, 
lias been duly published and posted according to the statute in such case, made and 
provided. 

Therefore, 6< it ordered, That the above described territory be, and the same is 
hereby duly organized into a township, to be known and designated by the name of 
Brady, which said township is described as being within the limits and under the 
jurisdiction of the county of Saginaw and State of Michigan: and be it further 
ordered that the first annual meeting for the election of township officers in said 
township, be held at the hou s e of J. F. Coy, in said township of Brady, on the first 
Monday in April next, and that the following named persons, Daniel Burrows, 
Richard Walsh and Josiah F. Coy, be, and they are hereby designated and appointed 
to preside at such election, and to perforin all the duties required by the statute in 
such case made and provided. 

(739) 



740 



HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



PATENTEES OF U. S. LANDS. 



Gosere Olmsted, sec. 1, Oct. 26, 1854. 
Benjamin Weeden, sec. 1, Dec. 16, 1854. 
George W. Harris, sec. 1, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Orrin Safford, sec. 1, Oct. 23, 1854. 
Isaiah S. Ruthburn, sec. 1, Oct. 30, 1854. 
Joshua Eastwad, sec. 2, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Almon L. Gilbert, sec. 2, Feb. 24, 1854. 
Philo Rockwell, sec. 2, Feb 24, 1854. 
Wm: H. Shaw, sec. 2, Oct. ]6, 1854. 
Simon W. Howard, sec. 2, Nov. 28, 1S54. 
Volney Chapjn, sec. 3, March 1, 1854. 
Geo. Patteson, sec. 3, Dec. 28, 1854. 
Asaph Pingrey, sec. 3, Oct. 18, 1854. 
Philo Rockwell, sec, 3, Oct, 18, 1853. 
Almon L. Gilbert, sec 3, Oct. 18, 1853. 
Hiram A. Tobias, sec. 4, Dec. 2, 1854. 
Sam'l A. Whitney, sec. 4, Dec. 28, 1854. 
Asaph Pingrey, sec. 4, Oct. 14, 1854. 
Thomas Marshal], sec. 4, Oct. 23, 1854. 
John Stacey, sec. 5, Dec. 28, 1854. 
Vol. Chapin, sec. 5, Nov. 2 and 23, 1853. 
Albert B. Green, sec. 5, Nov. 30, 1854. 
Byron Wightman, sec. 5, Dec. 28, 1854. 
Jos. M. Ingersoll, sec, 6, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Alex. Cummin, sec. 6, Oct. 26, 1854. 
Peter Bush, sec. 6, Dec. 29, 1854. 
Bernhard Convers, sec. 6, Dec. 30, 1854. 
Vol. Chapin, sec. 7, Nov. 2 and 23, 1853. 
Chas. Wightman, sec. 7, Dec. 29, 1854. 
David Millard, sec. 8, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Ormon Millard, sec. 9, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Addison Smith, sec. 9, Nov. 30, 1854. 
Nathaniel Swift, sec. 10, Oct, 30, 1854. 
George Culver, sec. 10, Oct. 23, 1854. 
Herman Carlisle, sec. 11, Nov. 28, 1854. 
John Curliss, sec. 11, Jan. 26, 1855. 
William Smith, sec. 11, Oct. 27, 1854. 
Wm. R, Breuredge, sec. 11, Oct. 25, 1854. 
Isaac Rockee, sec. 12, Aug. 13. 1850. 
Wm. Curliss, sec. 12, Oct. 23, 1854; Jan. 

26, 1855. 
Philip Mickles, sec. 12, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Daniel D. Carman, sec. 12, Oct. 23, 1854. 
Philip Mickles, sec. 12, Oct. 23, 1854. 
Peter J. Smith, sec. 13, Oct. 21, 1854. 
John L. Smith, sec. 13, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Fenelin Brace, sec. 14, Oct, 23. 1854. 
Asa O. Munson, sec. 14, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Charles Heale, sec. 14, Dec. 7, 1854, 
Edward Smith, sec. 14, Dec. 16, 1854. 
Arnold W. Miller, sec. 14, April 20, 1855. 
H. L. Franklin, sec. 15, Nov. 23, 1854. 
George Culver, sec. 15, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Geo. W. C. Smith, sec. 15, Dec. 16, 1854. 
John Griffus, sec, 15, Oct. 18, 1854. 
Michael Ganon, sec. 15, Nov. 1, 1854. 
Calvin Townsend, sec. 17, Mar. 21, 1837. 
Robert E. Craven, sec 17, Oct. 22, 1853. 
Volney Chapin, sec 17, Nov. 23, 1853. 
Lyman Swagart, sec. 17, April 1, 1854. 



Robt. E. Craven, sec. 17, April 1, 1854. 
Volney Chapin, sec. 18, March 1, 1854, 

and Nov. 2, 18"5. 
Charles Ormsbee,sec 18, Jan. 26, 1855. 
Theo. Johnson, sec. 18, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Volney Chapin, sec. 19, Nov. 2, 1853. 
Albert Hunt, sec. 19, Nov. 28, 1854. 
C. M. Sergeant, sec 19, Dec. 29, 1854. 
Hiram Johnson, sec. 19, Jan 26, 1855. 
Riley R. Tupper, sec. 19, Dec 7, 1854. 
Phil. R. Howe, sec. 20, Jan. 17, 1837. 
Wm. Gunney, sec 21, Nov. 28. 1854. 
Sam'l Spear, jr., sec. 21, Nov. 30, 1854. 
Dan'] Young, jr., sec. 21, Oct. 30, 1854. 
J. A. Carpenter, sec. 21, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Albert Jewell, sec. 22, Nov. 27, 1854. 
Job Conger, sec 22, Nov. 29, 1854. 
Arnold W. Miller, sec. 23, Oct. 21, 1854. 
George R Davis, sec. 23, Oct. 20, 1854. 
Oscar Card, sec 23, Dec 29, 1854. 
Anson Seager, sec. 23, Nov. 2d, 1854. 
Patrick Garman, sec. 23, Dec 28, 1853. 
Asher Coon, sec. 24, Oct. 17, 1853. 
Wm. C. Allen, sec. 24, Oct. 21, 1814. 
Jon. K. Goodwin, .sec 24, Oct. 28, 1854. 
John Card, sec. 24, Jan. 23, 1855. 
Nelson Phy, sec 24, Oct. 24, 1854. 
Gideon Lee, sec 25, Jan. 21, 1837. 
Wm. Fletcher, sec 26, Oct, 23, 1854. 
Jas. T. Teachout, sec 26, Dec. 30, 1854. 
Michael Hayes, sec. 26, Oct. 26, 1853. 
Abraham Bockee, sec 26, Jan. 21, 1837. 
Gideon Lee, sec 27, Feb. 23, 1837. 
Gideon Lee, sec 28, Feb. 23, 1837. 
Phil. R. Howe, sec. 29, Jan. 17, 1837. 
James Hempsted, sec 29, Dec. 7, 1854. 
Luke Valentine, sec 30, Jan. 17, 1837. 
Edwin R. Billings, sec 30, Nov. 28. 1854. 
Daniel Burrows, sec. 30, Mav 16 and 

Nov. 28, 1854. 
Phil. R. Howe, sec 30, Jan. 17, 1837. 
Porter Card, sec. 30, Dec 6, 1854. 
Gideon Lee, sec 31, Jan. 21, 1837. 
Josiah F. Coy, sec. 32, Jan. 10, 1851. 
John Davis, sec. 32, July 16, 1851. 
David Coy, sec 32, Nov. 25, 185;!. 
Samuel Carson, sec. 32, Nov. 7, 1851. 
John Healey, sec. 33, Oct. 11, 1853. 
Mary A. S. McCall, sec. 33, Aug. 13. 1850. 
Francis O'Connor, sec. 33, Aug. 7, 1854. 
Alonzo Randall, sec. 33, Aug. 1, 1853. 
Francis O'Connor, sec. 33, Oct. 10, 1854. 
David R. Miller, sec 33, Sept. 12, 1853. 
John Healey, sec. 33, Nov. 1, 1854. 
Norris Collier, sec. 34, Oct. 23, 1854. 
John Hempsted, sec. 34, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Jas. A. Valentine, sec. 34, Nov. 28, 1854. 
A. Bockee, sees. 35 and 36, Jan. 21, 1837. 
Edm. R. Kearsley, sec 36, June 4, 1836. 



BRADY TOWNSHIP. 741 

The number of farms in this township is 146. The number of 
acres of improved land in 1880 was 4,156. The productions of the 
township, 18,401 bushels of wheat; 28,740 bushels of corn; 8,684 of 
oats, and by the assessment of 1880, there were in the limits of 
Brady, 246 horses, .'504 cows, other cattle 345, hogs 302, sheep 
1,073. 

The Jackson, Lansing A: Saginaw railroad passes across its 
southeastern corner. It was finished in 1867. The only postoffice 
or railroad depot in the township is on the road at Oakley village. 

The township was named in honor of General Brady, of Detroit. 
The population in 1880 was 1,248. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist. — The first religious meetings held in the township 
were in the village, and presided over by Rev. Mr. Clough. a 
Methodist minister, who organized a class here in 1867. 

Baptist. — The next meetings were held by the " Close Baptists," 
who erected a church building in 1871. This was the first church 
building in the township. The Church was heavily in debt, and it 
was finally lost to the society under foreclosure of mortgage. The 
building was then bought by the Free- Will Baptists, subject to 
mortgage; but in 1878 they also relinquished the building to the 
mortgagee, and gave up their organization at the same time. 

Christ Church, of Oakley Village, was organized in the spring 
of 1878, under the ministerial guidance of Rev. Horatio A. Barker, 
its only and present pastor. The ranks of this society were swelled 
by accessions from the Free-Will Baptists, who gave up their own 
organization to join this. The first meetings of the society were 
held for little more than a year in a room over a saloon; but in 
In'.* a church building 22x34 feet was completed, and dedicated 
the tirst Sabbath after Christmas, 1^7!». its pastor preaching the 
dedicatory sermon. There are o<» members, and a Sunday-school 
of 50 pupils 

This Church is on the Congregational plan, but does not believe 
in denominationalism in religion, maintaining that all Christians 
of any place should associate themselves together, and be the 
■• ( Ihurch " of that place. 

CathoUc Church. — Previous to 1870, the members of this 
Church were obliged to go a distance of 14 to 18 miles to attend 
places of worship, either to Owosso or Corunna. During this 
year they bought the building formerly owned by the Baptists, for 
$600, the church being bought and the money subscribed 
and paid on the same day. The first pastor was Father -lames 
Wheeler, who still has charge of the parish. When the church 
was purchased the congregation consisted of but 11 families, the 
heads of which were Richard Walsh, James Rvan, James Whelan, 
John Haley, Patrick Koyne, Frank O'Connor. Dennis Brennan, 
Win. Fitzgerald. Michael Devanay, Michael Keyes, Cyrus Lingel 
and Michael Halanan. These all paid something for the church- 



742 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

building. The society also owns a nice cemetery of three 
acres, on sec. 31, Chesaning township. 

SCHOOLS. 

There are eight school-houses in the township, including one in 
the vill ige, having a seating capacity of 442 pupils. The number 
in attendence in 1880 was 344, while the number of teachers em- 
ployed was 16, three of them being males. The whole number of 
teachers average three and one-half months' time, and receive sal- 
aries averaging $79.25 each. The village district has school nine 
months, while the other seven districts averaged six and seven- 
tenths months each. 

The records of elections prior to 1874 have all been destroyed 
by fire. Since that date the following officers have served: Super- 
visors— S. Harder, 1874; Nelson Phy, 1875; G. W. Sackrider, 
1876-'81. Clerks— Gordon C. Eoosa, 1874-'5; James N. Smith, 
1876-'81. Treasurers— John Kidney, 1874; W. B. Mickles,1875-'8; 
S. W. Wickham, 1879-'80; W. B. Mickles, 1881. Justices of the 
Peace— G. W. C. Smith, elected in 1874; H. L. Tobias, 1875; 
James Smith, 1876; Moses Wooll, 1877; Jacob Armstrong, 1878; 
G. W. C. Smith, 1879; H. J. Barrett, 1879; James Smith, 1880; 
Jacob Armstrong, 1SS1. 

OAKLEY VILLAGE. 

This pleasant and thriving little place is located on the J., L. & 
S. R. P., in Brady township. It was surveyed and platted 
by Andrew Huggins, Feb. 23, 1868, the plat being put on record 
Sept. 7, of the same year. The owners of the land were Isaac S. 
Bockte, Henry Parshall and Philip Mickle, under whose super- 
vision the plat was made. The village was named in honor of 
Judge Oakley, of Dutchess Co., N. Y., who was an uncle of one 
of the proprietors. 

The population of this village in 1880 was 350. Its business is 
represented by three dry-goods stores, two groceries, two drug 
and grocery stores and two hardware stores. 

A steam stave and heading factory, which employs 40 men 
and boys, — -with a daily capacity for making 25,900, staves and 
2,500 sets of headings, — is run by a 40-horse-power engine. It 
is owned by F. Hood & Co., and superintended by D. Mahoney. 

There are also two millinery shops, one wagon shop, two black- 
smith shops, and one hotel, — the " Brady House," kept by Peter 
Hendrick. The amount of business done annually in the village 
is $200,000. 

Oakley Lodge, No. 198, I. O. O. F., was chartered Feb. 21, 
1873, the organizers being, Samuel Harder, X. G. ; Charles D. 
Lapham, Y. G. ; Peter Hendrick, P. S. ; I. H. Wright, P. S. ; and 
Franklin Cain. T. The present officers are: John ~N. Phy, N. G. ; 
Horace Hodge, V. G. ; C. F. Wright, R. S. ; A. E. Harrington, 
P. S. ; Nelson Phy, T. Present number of members, 32. 



BRADY TOWNSHIP. 743 

There is also a prosperous Good Templar lodge in the village, 
organized in the winter of L880-'l. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Personal sketches of some of the representative citizens of this 
township are here given as an essential part of its history: 

Rev. II A. Barker, Oakley, Mich., is a descendant of Joseph 

Barker, a native of Connecticut, who settled in Rutland Co., Vt., 
before the Revolutionary war. Joseph Barker was the father of 
X. 15 children, one of Fwhom, Augustus, was born at Brandon, 
Vt., May 22, 1786. He was married at Attica, N. Y., June IS, 
1812, to Polly Eastman, who bore him 5 children. One son, 
Horatio Allen, was born May 27. 1826, and is the subject of this 
-ketch. In the fall of 18-to Augustus Barker removed with his 
family to Oneida, Eaton Co., Mich. The same winter Horatio 
taught his first school, at Eaton Rapids, being then 19 years 
pf age. lie taught school for several years, always with 
unbounded success. While teaching at Leoni, in the winter of 
L846-'7, he made an open profession of his faith in Christ, and in 
March. 1848, united with the Free- Will Baptist Church, at Ches- 
ter, Eaton Co., Mich. In the fall of the same year he transferred 
his membership to the organization at Lansing, and undertook 
the herculean task of building up a church at that point. In 1851 
he was the only male member in the body of worshipers. He 
labored earnestly, giving all his wages toward the erection of 
the building, and it was finally dedicated in the spring of 1852. by 
Elder II. S. Leinbacker. and was the first church building in the 
now city of Lansing. Mr. Barkers ministerial career has extended 
over a period of 29 years, be being ordained to preach in the 
summer of 1852. He has labored in the churches at Lansing, 
Leoni, Stockbridge, Lee, Lexington, Oneida, Salem, Green Oak, 
in Michigan, and from 1856 to 1S60, at GilbertMills, Oneida Co., 
and Springville and East Concord, in Erie Co., N. Y. From 1861 
to 1862 he was in the law office of John W. Longyear, of Lan- 
ding, being admitted to the bar in September, 1861. While 
preaching at Green Oak, Mich., in 1876, he became convinced 
that the spirit of sectarianism pervading the Christian people was 
entirely detrimental to the cause of his Master, and he therefore 
resolved to retire from the ministry, which lie did for over a year. 
While visiting at Oakley, Mich.; he was invited to preach to the 
people, ami subsequently received an invitation to become their 
pastor. He immediately explained his sentiments in regard to 
Christianity, and agreed to accede to their request if all denomi- 
nations would drop their sectarianism and unite in one great 
Church. They agreed to do so, and in the spring of 1878 
a Church was organized. Rev. Barker located there in the 
fall, and a chapel was built and dedicated Dec. 28, 1870. He 
opened a mercantile establishment in the village, where he is still 
engaged in business. He is an earnest, practical and instructive 



744: HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

minister, and an unwavering supporter of the temperance cause. 
He was formerly a Free-Soiler, then an Abolitionist, and subse- 
quently a Republican, although possessing strong Greenback ten- 
dencies at present. He was married at Stockbridge, Mich., Nov. 
15, 1855, to Mary Jane Soule. 

Rev. Barker's portrait is given in this volume on page 257. 
William H. Beardsley, son of Hiram and Mary Beardsley, was 
born in Livingston Co., Mich., Dec. 14, 1849. His parents were 
natives respectively of New York and New Jersey, and located in 
Michigan as early as 1826. William was educated in the Howell 
Union school, and in Oct., 1876, came to Oakley, where he kept 
the Oakley House, then started a saloon, and subsequently a 
livery stable. He was married Jan. 5, 1875, to Esther M. Hosley, 
daughter of William Hosley, and born in Livingston Co., Mich., 
Nov. 12, 1853. They have 2 children— Ethel F., born Feb. 16, 
1878, and Maud, born March 9, 18S0. 

Jonathan W. Bennett, farmer, sec.s. 10 and 11, was born in Erie 
Co., Pa., Oct. 25, 1830. His parents were Seldon and Ollie Ben- 
nett, the former of whom was born in Addison Co., Yt., Aug 10, 
178b, and served in the war of 1812; the latter was a native of the 
same county, and departed this life when Jonathan was 14 years of 
age. From the age of 4 to 16 years, Mr. Bennett lived in Lake Co., 
0., and at the latter period removed to New York, where, on Aug. 
26, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 82d Reg. Fa. Vol. Inf., serving 
faithfully till July 19, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. 
The following August he located in Brady tp., where he owns 
125 acres of land. He was married Sept. 8, 1853, to Irene Dean, 
a daughter of Ephraim and Mary Dean, and born in Erie Co., 
Pa., Oct. 22, 1829. Of the 3 children given them, 1 is living- 
George H., who was born March 30, 1858, and on Oct. 20, 1S78, 
married Celia Carson, who was born Feb. 10, 1862. Morris and 
Ephraim are deceased. Mr. Bennett is a Republican. 

Dr. E. D. Clarke was born June 26, 1823, at N. Troy. N. Y. 
His parents were Wm. B. and ( Typhosa Clarke, of Massachusetts and 
Connecticut, He was married in 1846 to Miss Sabina Burnett, 
who died in February, 1853. Two children blessed their marriage, 
both deceased. He was again married April 9, 1861, to Miss 
Maria Wood, daughter of Alonzo and Angelina Wood, of Ulster 
and Cortland counties, N. Y., respectively. He commenced read 
ing medicine with Dr. Briggs, of Orange Co., N. Y., when 15; re- 
mained with him one year and then spent tw T o years with Dr. 
Ballow; attended the Buffalo (Reg.) Medical College in 1848, and 
in 1849 came West, examined the country and returned. In 1S66 
he attended the New York (Reg.) Medical College, where he would 
have graduated in one month longer, but was called from college. 
He spent the season of 1864 at Fairfax Seminary. Fairfax Court- 
House, Va., where he assisted Dr. G. W. Peer as army surgeon. 

In 1868 he came to Chesaning and began practicing. He es- 
tablished a large practice in Chesaning, and remained there until 



BRADY TOWNSHIP. 745 

1880, when he moved upon his farm. Dr. C. is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, a 32d-degree Mason, and belongs to the Detroit 
Commanderv and Sovereign Consistory; is also an Encampment 
member of the I. O. O. F. He is a cousin of Freeman Clarke, the 
financier of Rochester, N. Y. He owns 80 acres of land on sec. 
12, worth $3,500. In politics he is a Democrat, 

David Coy, farmer, sec. 32, was born at Collins, Erie Co., N. Y., 
August, 1833. When nine years of age his parents removed to 
Morrell Co., O., where he was reared and educated. His parents 
were Josiah F. and Louisa Coy, the former of whom was a soldier 
in the war of 1812, and died July 14, 1877, aged 84 years. Mr. 
Coy's grandfather was a soldier under Washington, and died at the 
ripe age of 96 years. His mother died Feb. 16, 1865. David came 
to Brady tp. in 1851, being the second person to locate in the tp. 
He was married Feb. 7, 1857, to Celinda Peavy, who was born in 
I)e Kalb Co., 111., Aug. 31, 1840. Of their 4 children, 2 survive— 
Sarah J. and Minnie C. Elias E. and Marion D. are deceased. Mr. 
Coy and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. He 
is Democratic in politics, and owns a farm of 40 acres. 

Harrison Deforest, agriculturist, sec. 24; was born near Sack- 
ett's Harbor, "N. Y., March 24, 1823. His parents were Luther and 
Mary A. i Cunningham) Deforest. His father was born in Massa- 
chusetts in 1796, of French ancestry, and his mother was born in 
New York, of Irish descent, They are both still living. He was 
born and raised on a farm. In the spring of 1858 he removed with 
his parents to Niagara Co., Canada. When 21 years of age he 
went to Porter Co., Ind., and engaged in farming for himself. 
After residing there two years he went to Sanilac Co., Mich., where 
he remained 30 years, and then removed to Brady tp., in the spring 
of 1874. He bought 60 acres of land on sec. 24, 57 of which are 
under cultivation. Nov. 14, 1846, he married Martha M., daugh- 
ter of Johanna Spencer, who was born in Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 4, 
1830. They have had 12 children, 10 of whom are living — John, 
born in Zorey tp., Canada, Feb. 3, 1849; the remainder were born 
in Sanilac tp., Sanilac Co., Mich.— Mary A., born Oct. 22, 1851; 
William II., born Dec. 8, 1853; Walter, born April 4, 1855; James, 
born June 16. 1857; Luther, born May 4, 1859; Calvin, born Jan. 
4, 1861; Martha M., born March 16, 1863 ; Abigail, born July 4, 
1866, and George, born Aug. 5, 1871. In politics Mr. D. is a Re- 
publican, and himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church. 
The deceased are Roxena and Sarah. 

John Healey, an enterprising farmer of Brady tp., was born in 
Duncliffe Parish, County Sligo, Ireland, in 1824, and is a son of 
Matthew and Catherine Healey. He was reared and educated in 
Ireland, and in 1850 came to America. After residing one and a 
half years in New York city, he came to Brady tp., and can be 
classed among its hardy pioneers. He owns 400 acres of land. 
He was married Jan. 26, 1852, to Bridget O'Connor, daughter of 
Michael and Catherine O'Connor, of Ireland. They have 6 chil- 



746 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

dren — Matthew, Bernard, Martin, John, Margaret A. and Cath- 
erine. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church, 
at Oakley, to the building of which Mr. Ilealey was a liberal con- 
tributor. He is a strong advocate of the principles of Democracy. 

Samuel F. Hoffman, of Sackrider & Hoffman, merchants, Oak- 
ley, Mich., was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 19, 1835. His 
parents were John and Anise (Farmer) Hoffman. Samuel F. grew 
to manhood in Ohio, and in 1857 went to Delhi, Ingham Co., 
Mich., where he was engaged in business for seven years. He 
then engaged in agricultural pursuits for two years, at the expira- 
tion of which time he went to Havana, operating a grist-mill 
there for two years. He then came to Oakley, and formed a 
partnership with George W. Sackrider, in the meraantile trade. 
He was married March, 1866, to Ida Polhemus, who was born near 
Batavia, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1845. Of the 7 children given them, 6 
are living — Carrie E., Julia L., Clarence, Lester, Marsh and Floyd. 
Jennie is deceased. Mr. Hoffman was Postmaster at Delhi for 
quite a period. He is a Mason, and politically a Democrat. 

Michael Keyes, one of the oldest and most successful farmers in 
Brady tp., was born in Kilkenny Co., Ireland, and came to this 
country in the spring of 1849. He settled in Niagara Co., 1ST. Y., 
where he remained three years, and then came to Brady tp., in the 
fall of 1852, and bought 120 acres of Government land on sec. 26. 
He now owns 320 acres, 80 of which are under cultivation. He 
owns a nice residence and barn valued at $3,600. He has 5 children 
— Catherine, Nicholas, Jennie, "William and Ellen. In politics he 
is a Democrat. The family are members of the Roman Catholic 
Church. 

John Kidney, jr., son of John, sr., and Melinda (Butler) Kidney, 
was born at Rockport, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, May. 3, 1830. He was 
born and raised on a farm, and at the age of 25 learned the cooper's 
trade, which he worked at for five years. He was married in 
Spencer tp., Lucas Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1855, to Harriet Coon, who 
was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., Nov. 13, 1836, and is a daughter of 
Prosser and Charilla Coon. They have 4 children — Eugene E., 
born in Erie Co., Ohio, May 27, 1857; Elmer E., born in Lucas Co., 
Ohio, July 1, 1860; Irving A., born in Erie Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 
1865; and Edith C, born in Brady tp., Sept. 1, 1873. Mr. K. 
came to Brady tp. in 1865, and bought 120 acres of land in sec. 24. 
The country was quite new and very thinly settled when he came 
here. . He has cleared 60 acres of land alone. He has held the office 
of Tp. Treasurer two years, also school offices for several terms. 
In politics he is a Republican. 

Patrick Koyne, a prominent citizen of Brady tp., was born in 
Capitagel Parish, County Galway, Ireland, in 1820. His parents were 
Edward and Mary Koyne. In 1843 Patrick emigrated to America, 
and remained on a farm in Dutchess Co., N. Y., for nine years. 
After two years in Boston, and about one year in New York, he 
came to Saginaw county, and enjoys the honor of being the third 



BRADY TOWNSHIP. 747 

person to locate in Brady tp. He was married in 1849 to Marga- 
ret O'Connor, and of the S children born to them, 7 are 
Living — Edward, Mary, John, Margaret, Catherine, Thomas and 
Alice. Mr. Koyne and family are members of the Roman Catho- 
lic Church. Mr. K. is a Democrat, and owns 320 acres of land on 
sees. 28 and 33. 

Daniel Mahoney, foreman in the Oakley Stave and Heading 
factory, was born in Clinton Co.. N. Y., May 10, 1*47. His 
parents, Jeremiah and Catherine Mahoney, were natives of Ireland,, 
and emigrated to the United States in 1S40. Daniel received his 
education in the Academy at Plattsburg, N. Y. In 1870 he went 
to St. Clair, Mich., where he served a three years' apprenticeship 
at the carpenter and joiner's trade. He assumed his present posi- 
tion Jan. 1, 1880. He was married May 10, 1875, to Katie, 
daughter of James and Mary Ryan. Mrs. Mahoney was born in 
Clinton Co., N. Y., Feb. 17, 1857. One child born to them is de- 
ceased. Mr. Mahoney is Democratic in politics, and owns 80 acres of 
land in St. Charles tp., and the same amount in Swan Creek tp. 
Himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church. 

Arnold W. Miller, sr., a respected pioneer of Brady tp., was 
born at Westfield, Orleans Co., Vt., Nov. 9, 1823. His parents 
were Simpson and Rouena (Wells) Miller, natives of Windham 
Co., Vt. Here these parents reared a family of 13 children. 7 boys 
and 6 girls, of which there are living 5 boys and 2 girls, and here 
Mr. Miller passed his days until 21, when he left the home of his 
nativity and procured work in the manufactory of Ames & Co., 
Abbottville (now Chicopee), Mass. Here he remained for two or 
three years and then learned the molder's trade, and went to work 
for Sizer & Co., Springfield, Mass. From there he went to Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and worked four years for the same firm. Returning to 
Vermont he purchased a farm, worked on it through the winter,, 
became disgusted with the long cold winters, returned to Cleve- 
land, worked in the shop and foundry for a while, became tired of 
the business and embarked in the grocery trade; having no experi- 
ence and a poor partner, he soon ran the commercial race to an 
end. Mr. Miller then determined to locate permanently. He 
made a trip to Iowa, did not like the prairie lands, returned and 
determined to try Michigan. 

He therefore, with his family, left Ohio for Michigan, arriving 1 
at Chesaning, Sept. 12, 1854. He located 320 acres of land on sees. 
14 and 23, which he improved until it is now of great value. Ete 
moved upon his land in October, 1854, and began life anew. He 
cleared four acres the following spring and raised some corn and 
potatoes. His family were taken with the ague in the fall, and he 
was compelled (there being no help in the country procurable) to 
remain in the house four weeks, and as soon as they were well, he 
was taken down and remained in his bed for more than a month. 
From this time on, by hard labor and economy he continued to 
prosper, and gave to each of his sons 80 acres of land. 

45 



748 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mr. Miller, at the breaking out of the war, concluded to give his 
services, and life if need be, to his country, and enlisted in Co. Gr, 
3d Mich. Cav.; served four years and five months, and was honor- 
ably discharged at Jackson, Mich., March 12, 1866. He has filled 
various tp. offices, and all of them with credit to himself and 
honor to his fellow men. He is a strong Republican and a member 
of the P. of H. 

He was married in March, 1847, to Philanda Baldwin, who was 
born near Springfield, Mass., Oct. 22, 1824. Five children have 
been given them, namely: Helen, wife of Andrew Hamilton, born 
March 19, 1849; Chas. A., born Jan. 9, 1854; Arnold W., jr., born 
Dec. 22, 1856, and married Emma Conger; Rachel, born July 10, 
1861, and Carrie P., wife of Albert Conger, born Dec. 31. 1862. 
Mr. Miller's portrait is given on page 293 of this volume. 
Marcus Morris is a descendant of Arthur Morris, a Scotchman, 
who accompanied his two brothers, Cyrus W. and Nathaniel, from 
England to America in 1749. Nathaniel settled in the Southern 
States, where he lived and died. Arthur and Cyrus W. settled in 
Allegheny Co., Pa., whore both died. Robert Morris, the father of 
Marcus, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Nov. 25, 1S19, and his 
wife, Ellen, was born in Columbia Co., O., in 1824. They were 
married in 1842, and now reside in Hillsdale Co., Mich. Marcus 
Morris was born in Columbia Co., O., April 17, 1852. He followed 
school-teaching for three years, and Nov. 25, 1879, he came to Oak- 
ley and opened a drug store. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
and Masonic fraternities, and votes with the Republican party. He 
was married May 7, 1874, to Katrina A. Roberts, who was born in 
Hillsdale Co., Mich., Dec. 3, 1855. Her parents were Charles and 
Aurilla Roberts, the former of whom served 3(> years as 
conductor on the P., Ft. W. & C, F. & P. M., and P. & G. W. rail- 
roads. He volunteered his services as nurse during the prevalence 
of the yellow fever in Memphis in 1879, and died three days after 
his arrival there. Four children have been given Mr. and Mrs. 
Morris, 3 of whom are living — Bertha E., born July 29, 1876, 
Aurilla, born April 2, 1878, and Mabel, born Sept. 13, 1880. 
Winifred is deceased. Mr. Morris r»nd wife are members of the 
M. E. Church. 

Nelson Phy, second son of Nicholas and Betsy (Plank) Phy, was 
born in Knollsville, Orleans Co.,N. Y., May 18, 1830. He was born 
and reared on a farm, until, at the age of 17, he learned the car- 
penter and joiner's trade, at which he worked for 16 years. He moved 
to Troy tp., Oakland Co., Mich., in the fall of 1834, where he resided 
20 years, during which time he was married Dec. 25, 1852, to Caroline 
M. Newton, daughter of Isaac Newton, born May 4, 1834, in Massa- 
chusetts. He came to Brady tp. Dec. 18, 1854, and bought 160 acres of 
land on sec. 24,115 of which are undercultivation. He is one of the 
oldest settlers in Brady tp. When he arrived winter had set in, 
he had no team, no house, no provisions, and just $20 to procure 
them with. He worked two vears without a team, during which 



BRADY TOWNSHIP. 749 

time he cleared 12 acres of land, on which he raised corn, potatoes, 
etc.; his potatoes he dug with a grubbing hoe; his corn yielded 
very largely, having 156 bushels of ears per acre. He has 2 chil- 
dren, both born in Brady tp. — John N., born Nov. 11, 1856, and 
"William Sydney, born Oct. 30, 1859. Mr. Phy also served in the 
army of the Cumberland over four years. He enlisted in Chesa- 
ning, Saginaw Co., Mich., in October, 1861, in Co. G, 3d Regt. Mich. 
Caw, under Capt. T. V. Quackenbush, and was engaged in 42 bat- 
tles and skirmishes. After serving over two years he re-enlisted 
in the Veteran Corps, and served altogether about four and one- 
half years, lie is a Republican. 

Hon. Geovije M. Sackrider, merchant, Oakley, Mich., was born 
in Jackson Co., Mich., Sept. 8, 1842, and is a son of Christian 
and Jane A. Sackrider. Mr. Sackrider passed his youth on a farm, 
receiving his education in the Grass Lake union schools. In 1868 
he engaged in the mercantile and lumber trade at Mason, Ingham 
Co., Mich., and in 1870 put a saw-mill into operation at Oakley. 
In Feb. 1875, he entered into the mercantile trade with S..F. Hoff- 
man, lie was married Jan. 26, 1869, to Ellen E. Clark, who was 
born at Hamilton, Canada, Nov. 5, 1847, and is a daughter of 
Peter S. and Ellen E. Clark. Of the 6 children given them, 5 are 
living — Jane E., George P., Emmett, Charles and Louis. Fred is 
deceased. Mr. Sackrider has served one term in the Legislature, 
and filled various tp. offices. He is a Mason, a Democrat and 
a large land-owner. 

William Smeaton, one of the most valiant defenders of the Union 
during the late unpleasantness, was born in Burthshire, Scotland, 
Oct. 5, 1840. His parents, Alexander and Catherine Smeaton, im- 
migrated to America in 1855, and first located in New York citv. 
After residing at the latter place one year, they removed to Canada, 
where William grew to manhood. In 1861 they settled in Saginaw 
county, and Sept. I, 1S64, William enlisted in'Co. C, 29th Reg. 
Mich. Vol. Inf., and at the battle of Decatur, Alabama, on Oct. 26, 
1864, he was severely wounded, and was finally discharged June 
5, 1865. He has received quite a sum of " back pay," and draws 
a pension of $ls monthly. He was married Oct. 1,1858, to Sarah 
Patterson, who bore him 1 child, Mary A., wife of Henry Griffus. 
Mrs. Smeaton died in Oct., 1863, and Mr. Smeaton was again mar- 
ried, Nov. 9, 1*67, to Mary E. Lowe, daughter of David and Sarah 
J. Lowe, and born at Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., March 23, 
1851. This union has been blessed with 6 children, 5 of whom are 
living — Robert D., Alexander, Ettie A., Mary E. and David. Sarah 
is deceased. Mr. Smeaton is a loyal Republican. 

Alamo Snow, hardware merchant, Oakley, was born in Vermont, 
March 18, 1832, and seven years later accompanied his parents to 
Chicago, 111., where he was reared and educated. He was married Feb. 
S, 1^64, to Loie Peck, who was born at Bologna, N. Y., March 23, 
1*44. Two children have been given them — Edie, born Aug. 4, 
1872, and George (deceased). In 1874 Mr. Snow came to Oakley, 



750 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

and for two years was engaged in operating a saw-mill, after which 
he established his present business. He is a Mason, and a member 
of the Democratic party. 

Samuel H. Whitney, farmer, sec. 10; P. O., Chesaning; was born 
at Chester, Rutland Co., Vt., April 15, 1831. His parents were 
John and Sarah Whitney, natives of Massachusetts, the former of 
whom served in the war of 1812, and died in 1867. Samuel grew 
to mature years in Ohio. He attended the Geauga Academy, and 
subsequently went to Texas, where he taught school one year. 
In February, 1854, he came to Brady tp. During the late war, 
he was Provost Marshal of Brant, Brady and Fremont tps. 
He has filled several tp. offices, and is connected with the 
I. O. O. F. and the Republican party. He was married Jan. 24, 
1854, to Maria Patterson, daughter of John and Eliza Patterson, 
natives of Cayuga Co. , N. Y. Five children have been sent to 
seal this alliance — John M., who married Sarah Shroeder; James 
F., married to Luna Parker: Adeline E., wife of George Gates; 
Mary and Alice L. Mr. Whitney was schoolmate of James A. 
Garfield. 

Stephen W. Wickham, son of Josiah D. and Maria WickVmn, 
was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., July 29, 1837, and when an in- 
fant accompanied his parents to Washtenaw Co., Mich. In 1840 
his mother died, and when seven years of age he went to live with 
John C. South worth, of Jackson Co., Mich., Math whom he re- 
mained till of age. On Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 3d. 
Mich. Cav., and was honorably discharged June 10, 1865. In 
1871 he came to Oakley, and for six years owned a half interest in 
the stave and heading factory. In 1879 he opened a grocery store, 
which he still owns. He was married March 6, 1861, to Caroline 
Cook, who died in April, 1862. He was again married, Aug. 22, 
1866, to Ida F. Converse, who was born in Jackson Co., Mich., 
Aug. 9, 1850, and is a daughter of Perrin and Mary Converse. 
They have 3 children — Henry C, Freddie and Judson P. Mr. 
Wickham is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Green- 
back party. 

Chester F. Wright, merchant, Oakley, Mich., was born in Erie 
Co., N. Y., April 10, 1828, and is a son of Phineas R. and Martha 
(Richardson) Wright, natives of Vermont and New York. When 
13 years old Mr. Wright accompanied his parents to Jackson Co., 
Mich., where he was raised. When 18 years of age he bought 
his "time" (his labor until 21) for $150, and started in business 
at burning lime, which he continued until 1873, when he sold 
out, and opened a store at Oakley. lie was married, November, 
1S52, to Abigail Raymond, who bore .him 10 children. Three sur- 
vive — Martha A. , Charles C. and Edwin. Mr. Wright is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Oakley, also of the Encampment. 
He is Democratic in politics, and an enterprising business man 
and citizen. 



BRANT TOWNSHIP. 

This section of the county is most favorably circumstanced so 
far a> the quality of its lands, the number of its water-courses, and 
the purity of its flowing wells may be considered. The settlement 
of the township has been slow indeed: thousands of acres of its 
fertile soil are still untouched by the plowshare; other resources 
are still waiting upon enterprise to offer up their stores of wealth; 
the land summons the industrious to its embrace, and demands, as 
it were, that within the next decade the present population of 860 
shall be increased centum per centum, the district developed, and 
its place among the more important sections of the county in- 
sured. V 

Francis M. Cobb operates a steam saw-mill in this township, 
and George Severns a similar mill on the town line. 

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

The undulations of the land are more marked than those of any 
other portion of the county. The soil is a sandy loam generally, 
with large tracts of black loam and clay subsoil. Bad river and its 
tributary streams may be said to course through every section. 
The main stream has its source in the southeastern sections of 
.Marion, enters the township at the northwest quarter of section 
31. and. flowing northeasterly, courses through sections 29, 21,22, 
14. and 13. The North Branch of Bad river has its head-waters 
in the northeastern sections of the adjoining township of Marion. 
This stream flows in a zigzag course through the northern sections 
of Brant, and forms a confluence with the larger stream in St. 
Cliarles township. Great and Little Potato creeks rise in the 
township of Marion, and, like Bad river, with which their waters 
conjoin in section 1-t of this township, flow in a northeasterly 
course Many rivulets, supplied by the flowing wells, aid in be- 
stowing upon this portion of Saginaw a fair quantity of good 
water. 

The "flowing,'' or Artesian, wells of the township are not the 
Least important feature among its physical characteristics. In 
Borne places the water forced its way to the surface, and formed for 
itself, in the course of years, natural channels through which it 
might rush forward t<> join some parent stream. The average 
depth <>f a boring necessary to obtain a supply of Artesian water 
at any location in the township is said to be from 60 to 300 feet. 
In some situations the water has been reached at a depth of 25 

feet. 

(751) 



752 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

ORGANIC. 

As early as 1857 an application was made to the county board 
by 19 electors of this township, asking that the territory now 
known as Brant and Marion should be organized as a township 
under the former name. The board considered the application 
during its session of January, 1858, and on the 8th of that month 
acceded to all which the first settlers demanded in it. The follow- 
ing is a copy of the act of organization: — 

It appearing to the Board of Supervisors that application has heen made, and 
that notice thereof has been signed, posted up and published, as in manner re- 
quired by law, and having duly considered the matter of said application, the 
Board orders and enacts that the territory described in said application, as follows, 
to wit: Township number ten (10) north of range nutnbsr one (1) east, and town- 
ship number ten (10) north, of range number two (2) east, be, and the same is here- 
by erected into a township, to be called and known by the name of the township ot 
Brant. 

The first annual meeting thereof shall be held at the house now occupied by 
Albert A. Aldrich, on the first Monday of April, A. D. 1858, and at said meeting, 
John B. Adams, Ezra T. Cogswell and Thomas Berry, three electors of said town- 
ship, shall be the persons Avhose duty it shall be to preside at such meeting,appoint 
clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same power as the inspectors of 
election at any township meeting, as the law provides. 

The 15 members of the supervisors' board present were unani- 
mous in support of the motion to grant the application. 

The first township meeting was held April 5, 1858, at the house 
of Albert A. Aldrich, with Ezra T. Cogswell, Moderator; Bradley 
Adams, Clerk; Charles H. Cogswell, Assistant Clerk, and John 
B.Adams, Ezra T. Cogswell and Thomas Berry, Inspectors of Elec- 
tion. Two hundred and twenty votes were recorded in the aggre- 
gate, but in reality there were only 19 citizen voters present: 
Thomas Berry was elected Supervisor; John B. Adams, Clerk; 
Ezra T. Cogswell, Treasurer; Bushrod W. Lamb, Bradley Adams, 
Jason B. Eldridge, Columb. L. Luther, Jason P. Eldridge and 
Benjamin Colville, Justices of the Peace; Alpheus Oliver and Brad- 
ley Adams, School Inspectors; Purchase R. Hill, Albert A. Al- 
drich, Charles H. Cogswell and G. M. Campfield, Constables, and 
Bradley Adams, Overseer of the Poor. Bushrod "W. Lamb was 
appointed Overseer of the Poor by the township board April 21, 
1858, vice Bradley Adams, resigned. The new officer had very 
little trouble with the office, as there were none so poor as to re- 
quire his aid, and the township was too distant from the great 
highways to warrant a visit from the ordinary tramps. 

In the following list the names of the principal township officers 
are given with, the dates of their services: 

SUPERVISORS. 



Thomas Berrv 1858-'60 

John B. Adams lSGl-^ 

Levi W. Berry 1863 

Stephen Crane 1684-'7 

Winsor Crane 1868- '9 

Thomas Berry 1870 

Geo. Ward 1871-'2 



Perrv Crane 1873 

Geo/Ward 1874-'7 

B.J. Downing 1878 

Geo. Ward... 1879 

Giles McKeon 1880 

David J. Webb 1881 



BRANT TOWNSHIP 



... . 



CLERKS. 



John B. Adams 1858 

!. W. Berry 1859 

Stephen Crane 1800 

John I). Slider 1861 

Charles II. Cogswell 1862 

Franklin Berry 1863 

Perry Crane l864-'7 



Giles McKeou 1868-'70 

B. J. Downing 1871-'2 

Hamilton Winter 187S-'7 

James Hart 1878 

"Winsor Crane 1879 

Hamilton Winter 1880 

Adam ('. Higler 1881 



TREASURERS. 



Ezra T. Cogswell 1858 

Column. L. Luther 1859-'60 

Levi W. Berry 186l-'2 

Jason P. Eldridge 1863 

Levi K. Perry j 1fir , 

Jason P. Eldridge \ 1804 

L. K. Perry 1865-'6 



George Ward !867-'9 

Winsor Crane 1870 

Jason P. Eldridge 1871 

Ira Smith 1872 

Winsor Crane 1873-'8 

Perry Crane 1879-'80 

Geo.'Price 1881 



JUSTICES. 



Bushrod W. Lamb, Bradley 
Adams and Jason P. Eldridge. 185s 

Ezra T. Cogswell 1859 

rod W. Lamb 1860 

Stephen Crane 1861 

< >rrin I.imbocker 1862-' 

Ezra T. Cogswell 1s<;4 

Stephen < !rane 1865 

Thomas Perry 1866 

Geo. Ward. ." 1867 

Orrin Limhocker 1868 

Stephen Crane 1869 



Jason P. Eldridge 1870 

Franklin Berry." 1871 

Columb. L. Luther 1872 

Ira Smith 1873 

Winsor Crane 1874 

Franklin Berrv 1875 

Elkanah King* 1876 

Jason P. Eldridge 1877 

James Hart l*7s 

Allen McDougal 1879 

Daniel Thompson 1880 

James E. Brady, C. L. Luther. .1881 



The officers elected at the annual meeting, April 4, 1881, are as 
follows: David J. Webb, Supervisor; Adam C. Higler, Clerk; 
George Price, Treasurer; James E. Brady, Justice for full term; 
Columbus L. Luther, Justice to fill vacancy; Charles L. Huntley, 
Commissioner of Highways; Reuben Montague, School Superin- 
tendent; Joseph A\ naley. School Inspector; Win. H. Smith, Drain 
Commissioner; Charles Griffith, Charles Sweatland, Francis M. 
Cobb and Judson Sorrel! , Constables. 

SCHOOLS. 



The schools of the township are seven in number. The number 
of children of school age is 334. The number reported in attend- 
ance during the year 1880 was 233. The school property is valued 
at -8:2,375. The number of teachers employed is 12, three of whom 
are male teachers. The total expenditures for the year ending 
September, 1880, was $1,^86.10.' The amount derived from the 
primary school fund is about $150; the balance is derivable from 
the two-mill tax and direct taxation for school purposes. 



754 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



EARLY LAND-BUYERS. 



The names of those who patented the lands of the township are 
as follows: 



John Morgan, sec. 1, Dec. 11, 1850. 
Alfred Gary, sec. 1, Dec. 11, 1847. 
Stephen Smith, sec. 1, Sept. 23, 1850. 
James Dooner, sec. 2, Sept. 23, 1850. 
Ruby A. Ward, sec. 2, June 3, 1850. 
G. W. Williams, sec. 2, March 28, 1837. 
Jas. Eraser, sees. 2 and 3, Mar. 28, 1837. 
G. W. Williams, sec. 3, March 28, 1837. 
Hannah Turner, sec. 4, Sept. 23, 1850. 
Fred. H. Stevens, sec. 4, May 9, 1837. 
Joseph Reinart, sec, 4, Sept, 23, 1850. 
Win. W. Bowles, sec. 4, Sept. 23, 1850. 
Peter Grogon, sec. 4, Sept. 23, 1850. 
Hiram Sullivan, sec. 4, rept. 23, 1850. 
Bradley Adorns, sec. 5, June 17, 1854, 

and Aug. 17, 1855. 
Alpheus Oliver, sec. 5, Nov. 5, 1851. 
John II. Yawkey, sec. 5, Feb. 27, 1854. 
G-eorge Parker, sec 5, Sept. 5, 1853. 
Jos. T. Copeland, sec. 6, Sept. 13, 1853. 
Charles N. Ryan, sec. 6, Dec. 21, 1853. 

Ezra T. Cogswell, sec. 6, Oct. 21, 1851. 

Stephen Bernard, sec. 6. Jan 18, 1855. 

Oti- F. Smith, sec. 7, Nov. 4, 18)4. 

Win. S. Patrick, sec. 7, Dec. 26, 1854. 

Sam'l R. Howe, sec. 8, Dec. 22, 1851. 

G. W Williams, sec. 9, March 23, 1837. 

James Fraser, sec. 9, March 28, 1837. 

Gilford Hunt, sec. 9, Feb. 9, 1855. 

Lewis Penoyer, sec. 9, Nov. 28, 1854. 

Jesse Willes, sec. 10, Nov. 28, 1854. 

G. W. Williams, sec. 10, March 28, 1837. 

J. Fraser,. sees. 10 and 11, Mar. 28, 1837. 

John McEachin, sec. 11, Nov. 20, 1809. 

Sam'l W. Yawkey, sec. 11, Apr. 19, 1854. 

G. W. Williams, sec. 11, March 28, 1837. 
" 12, 

Wm. P. Allen, sec. 12, March 2, 1852. 

James Fraser, sec. 12, March 28, 1837. 

John S. Bagg, sec. 12 April 17, 1837. 

Oliver S. Jones, sec 12, March 10, 1S53. 

Orsamus Long, sec. 13, Jan. 16, 1837. 

Chas. N Ryan, sec. 13, June 21, 1853. 

Gard D. Williams, sec. 13, Jan. 16, 1837. 

Alpheus Williams, "13, " " 
" 14, 

Gard. D Williams, " 14, 

G. W. Williams, sec. 14, March 28, 1837. 

James Fraser, sec. 14, March 28, 1837. 

Joseph G. Bagg, sec. 14, April 17, 1837. 

Gardner D. Williams, Ephraitn S. Will- 
iams. James Fraser, Norman Little, 
Charles H. Carroll and William T. 
Carroll, sec. 14, Aug. 25, 1836. 

G.W v^ illiams, sec. 15, March 28, 1837. 

James Fraser, sec. 15, March 28, 1837. 

Homer Watkins, Gardner D. Williams, 
Fphraiui S. Williams, James Fraser, 



Norman Little and Charles H. Car- 
roll, sec. 15, Oct. 28 and Nov. 28, 1854. 
Wm. T. Carroll, sec. 15, Aug. 25, 1836. 
Levi Berry, sec. 15, Sept 8, 1855. 
Henry B. Lee, sec. 17, Oct. 27, 1854. 
Jackson A. Aldridge, sec. IS, Dec. 2, 1854. 
George Baker, sec. 19, Sept. 12, 1855. 
Stephen Cran*, sec. 20, Oct. 9, 1854. 
Mynder W. Quackenbush, sec. 20, Oct. 

26, 1854. 
Charles Miller, sec. 20, Oct. 23, 1854. 
Joseph J. Maiden, sec. 21. Nov. 6, 1837. 
Dut can Crane, sec. 21. Oct, 27, 1854. 
Van Rensellaer Durfee, sec. 21, Oct. 27, 
1854. 

Hiram Bailey, sec. 21, Jan. 9, 1852. 
Gardner D. Williams, Ephraim S. Will- 
iams, James Fraser, Norman Little, 
Charles H. Carroll and William T. 
Carroll, sec. 22, Aug. 25. 1836. 
G. W. Williams, sec. *2, March 28, 1837. 
James Fraser. sec. 22, March 28, 1837. 

Patrick Gorman, sec. 22, Nov. 28, 1854. 
John R. Grout, sec. 22, July 6, 1838. 

Edmund Green, sec. 22, Oct. 26, 1854. 

Peter Teachotit, sec. 23, May 8, 1855. 

Hi rani T. Ferris, sec. 23, Jan. 7, 1854. 

Gardner D.Williams, Ephraim S.Will- 
iams, James Fraser, Norman Little, 
Charles H. Carroll and William T. 
Carroll, sec. 23, Au<r. 25, 1836. 

Ephraim Butler, sec. 23, Nov. 23. 1854. 

George Warren, sec. 23, Dec. 11, 1854. 

Alb't G. W. Smith, sec. 24, Oct. 19. 1854. 

Edmund Spear, sec. 24, Oct, 26, 1854. 

Fred. J. Lee, sec. 24, Oct, 27, 1854. 

James Allen, sec 25, Sept. 19, 1853 

Wm. R. Tayer, sec. 25, Oct, 14, 1854. 

Dauiel Pierce, sec. 26, Dec. 21, 1854. 

W. August. Smith, sec. 27, Oct. 27, 1854. 

Picpont L Smith, sec. 27, (Jet. 19, 1854. 

George Swim, sec. 27, Dec. 8, 1854. 

George W. Lee, sec. 28, Oct. 19, 1854. 

Alpheus Oliver, sec 29, Jan. 19, 1852. 

H. J. Yanakin, sec 29, March 15, 1853. 

Elizabeth Yanakin, sec. 29, Mar. 15, 1853. 

Charles Ford, sec. 29, Dec. 28, 1854. 

H. J. Yanakin, sec. 29, May 25, 1853. 

Lemuel Brown, sec 29, March 21, 1837. 

L. D. Calkins, sec 30, Dec. 30, 1854. 

Henry H. Lytle, sec. 30, March 15, 1853. 

Fred. McNeal, sec. 30, Oct. 23, 1854. 

J. H. Quackenbush, sec. 30, Dec 12, 1854. 

Zenas Morse, sec. 31, March 21, 1837. 

H. J. Yanakin, sec. 31, March 15, 1853. 

Chas. N. Ryan, sec. 31, April 30, 1853. 

James O. Stevens, sec. 31, Dec 9, 1854. 

Anson Sheldon, sec. 31, Aug. 8, 1853. 



BRANT TOWNSHIP 



755 



Perry Fleming, sec. 31, Dec 13, 1 *■">!. 
E. S. Cobb. sec. 33, Dec. 19, 18:30. 
Zenae Morse, Bee. 3*3, March '21, 1837. 
Barvey Miller, sec 32, March 21, ls::7. 
B. W. Lamb, sec. 32, Nov. 28, 1854. 
Solomon Tobias, sec 33. Dec. 2, 1854. 
Volnev Chapin, sec. 33, May 8, 1854. 
John Drake, sec. 33, Dec. 14, is:,}. 
.(no Teachout, jr., sec. 34. April 7, 1855. 
Leonard Taylor, sec. 34, Dec. 18, 1854. 
Daniel Pierce, sue. 35, < >ct. 14, 1854. 

Only 10 of this large number of original purchasers ever dwelt 
on the land. Through them it has passed into the possession of the 
present occupying proprietary. 



Clem. S. Johnson, sec. 35, Oct. 18, 1854. 
Isaac M. Chipman, sec. 35, Oct. 27, 1854, 
Anson B. Chipman, sec. 35, Oct. 27, 1854. 
Methuselah Jones sec. 35, Oct. 4, 1853, 

and Oct. 27, 1854. 
Samuel Stickney, sec. 35, Nov. 28, 1854. 
James C. Fuller, sec. 36, Oct 26 and 

Dec. 2. 1854. 
Willard Currier, sec. 36, Oct. 18, 1854, 

and Jan. 26, 1855. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



The brief sketches that follow are of pioneers and other repre- 
sentative citizens of Brant township.' 

E. T. Cogswell, son of Asahel and Susan (Tyler) Cogswell, was 
born in 1804, in Scipio, Cayuga Co., K. Y. His parents were born 
in Massachusetts, of English descent. He came West to Roches- 
ter in the summer of 1812, about the time war was declared against 
Great Britain. He was a farmer's boy and was ready to take a job 
of chopping or cleaning, or tu do anything he could find. He 
drifted into Orleans county and worked around as a hired man 
among the farmers, until the spring of 1826, when, having been 
engaged to a farmer's daughter, he was married and for some time 
worked with his father-in-law. Getting a little ahead in purse, he 
hired a farm and commenced life for himself. His history for 25 
years following his marriage was full of vicissitudes, and was little 
else than a continued series of failures. During these years he was 
alternately in Monroe, Ontario and Wayne counties, on different 
farms; and either from bad seasons, sickness, or, worse still, from 
the dishonesty and selfishness of men, soon found himself without 
any of this world's goods. 

At one time he had been sick for several weeks and had not 
a single mouthful of food in his house for 24 hours, and at day- 
light in the morning he crawled out to the road, " waylaid " a 
man in a wagon, and went six miles in his feebleness to a neigh- 
bor to get something to eat for his starving wife and children, and 
on returning found his family almost distracted at his absence, and 
the neighbors had turned out to hunt him. In the spring of 1S52 
he set out for Michigan, forgetting the things that were behind, 
though fearing some of them. But the star of ill-luck had moved 
from above them. He took up 320 acres in Brant and 160 acres in 
Chapin tps. This appeared to be a fortunate strike. Additions 
in years following were made to this first purchase; the country 
grew and the family grew with it; two sons settled on farms near 
by; daughters were given in marriage, and 14 years of life crept 



756 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

along as well and as smoothly as the average of human life and con- 
dition usually does. Success had come slowly but surely, and the 
former days of darkness were not remembered in the present joy 
of the heart. 

Things moved on smoothly and the spring of 1876 came around, 
and it occurred to them that March would bring around their 
golden wedding day; and as they had not been given much to 
wordly entertainments, they determined to celebrate it in good 
style. The invitations were sent out, and the morning arrived, 
and it was a beautiful morning; the guests came amid joy and 
greetings, and hearty welcomes, and all was ready for the beginning: 
of the festivities,, when an unwelcome and uninvited guest made 
his appearance among the company and commanded the attention 
of every one present. That unbidden guest was Death! As the 
bride of 50 years arose to repeat the ceremony of her maiden vows 
there was a shriek and a fall, and Death had done his awful work. 
Instead of the golden wedding it was the sundering of all earthly 
ties between Mr. Cogswell and his wife. The guests, after spend- 
ing most of the day in solemn thoughts and communion with one 
another, reluctantly, and with grief, left for their homes. Time 
softened Mr. C.'s grief, and again he took unto himself a helpmeet. 
He married Mrs. Abigail Woodward, of New York, daughter of 
A. P. Merrill. Mr. C. had 4 sons, 2 of whom served in the Union- 
army; one of these, Charles H., is now living near the homestead, 
and the other, George L., was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. 
The old gentleman is now 77 years of age, and still works his farm 
without help! He is a Universalist and a Republican. 

Perry Crane, farmer, sec. 20, was born in Elgin Co., Ontario, 
Canada, in 1837; parents were Isaac and Sarah E. Crane; subject 
of sketch was educated in the common schools; in 1858 bought 80> 
acres of land in Brant tp. ; price $300; gave one horse, valued at 
$100, in part payment, and worked at carpenter's trade to pay re- 
mainder; now owns 240 acres and house and barn worth several 
thousand dollars; was Supervisor one term, Tp. Clerk three years 
and Treasurer two years; in politics is Republican; in July, 1860 r 
enlisted at East Saginaw in Co. F, 1st Mich. Vol. Inf., and was 
severely wounded at the battle of Gaines' Mill; while in hospital 
was captured by rebels and held in Libby prison for 25 days; was 
then paroled, and after lying in hospital at Philadelphia for five 
months, was discharged July 13, 1863; was married in 1863, to- 
Elizabeth Caughill of Canada; have 5 children — William, Sherman, 
Ida May, Minnie and Jessie. 

Winsor Crane, farmer, sec. 21, was born in Elgin Co., Province 
of Ontario, Canada, April 8, 1839. His parents were John B. and 
Mary E. (Henneker) Crane, the former of whom was a native 
of Canada, and the latter of England. Mr. Crane received a good 
education in Canada, and on Jan. 1, 1861, settled in Brant tp. 
where he has since resided, engaged in lumbering and farming. 
He owns 157 acres of land: is a [Iniversalist in belief. He 



BRANT TOWNSHIP. 757 

was married in 1864 to Caroline E. Limbocker, a native of Michi- 
gan, who died in Brant tp., Saginaw Co., May 15, 1865. Mr. 
Crane was again married in 1S6S, to Sarah E. Mclntyre, whose 
parents are natives of JN T ew York. They have been blessed with 
4 children — Bertha C, Maude M., Blanche E. and Chester M. 
Mr. Crane is a Republican in politics and has served his tp. in 
almost all of its local offices, among which are Supervisor two years, 
Treasurer seven years, Clerk one year and Justice of the Peace four 
years, etc. He is one of the representative farmers of the county 
and most substantial men of his tp. 

Thomas Minto, farmer, sec. 18, was born at Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, and is a son of Andrew and Rachel (Ramage) Minto, the lat- 
ter of whom is a descendant of the old family of McGregors. 
Mr. Minto was a tobacco manufacturer and in comfortable circum- 
stances, but having a large family of boys he determined to come to 
America, where each could learn a trade, and where wages were 
more remunerative than in Scotland. In 1851 he landed at 
Quebec, and the next year settled at Hamilton, Ontario, where for 
sometime he was employed as time-keeper at the water works. In 
1869 he settled in Brant tp., and bought 120 acres of land, half of 
which is now under cultivation. lie was married in 1830 to 
Elizabeth McAllister, of Edinburgh, Scotland, who is a descendant 
of Sir Robert Bruce, and of the noble family of Sutherland. 
They have 9 children — Andrew, Rachel, William, Eliza, David, 
Adam, Thomas, James and Jennie. The first 7 are married and 
doing well, while the 2 youngest reside with their parents. Mr. 
Minto is a Republican, and himself and wife are members of the 
M. E. Church. 

Elka/nah Ring was born in 1809, and is a son of Elkanah and 
Sally (Cowan) Ring, the latter being a native of Massachusetts 
and of English parentage. Mr. Ring was educated in Massachu- 
setts, and his occupation has been the manufacturing of wood 
work for machinery. He was a prominent Republican of the 
"Bay State," and was three times a nominee for the Legislature, 
but the Republican party being in the minority in his district, he 
wa8 thrice defeated. He was a member of the committee ap- 
pointed to revise the State Constitution, and of the County Board 
for six years. He was married in 1840, but his wife died in 1842. 
In 1844 he married Elizabeth Burr, who bore him 6 children, 
and departed this life in 1868. He was married the third time in 
1860, and 1 child was given them. Mrs. Ring 1 died in 1866. 



BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP. 

This township was organized in 1848, under authority given by 
the Board of Supervisors. It forms a full township, with Buena 
Vista on the north, Tay mouth on the south, Frankenmuth on the 
east, and Spalding on the west. The Cass river enters the town in 
section 25, and, flowing northwest through Bridgeport village, enters 
Spalding township in section 18. The Flint & Pere Marquette 
JR. P. runs through the township. Fish creek and a few other 
minor streams course through its sections. The land is capable of 
a high cultivation, and nothing but enterprise is necessary to raise 
the district equal to an}^ other section of the connty. 

The first actual settler in the township was A. Campeau; John 
Biddle was the first purchaser of land; William Ellis and Matilda 
Lesia were the first parties married. Henry Campeau was the 
first child born; the first death was that of Auri Campeau's father 
and mother, who were carried off by the same disease which dec- 
imated the Indian population in 1837. 

Eleazer Miller may be considered the first American pioneer of 
the township. Messrs. Ellis, Kenny, Welding, Garland, Cook, Sid- 
ney Campbell and Beach arrived shortly after and occupied their 
homesteads. 

Mr. Campeau built the first log house ever erected in the town- 
ship; the second was built by Sidney Campbell in 1836. 

The first church was built by the Congregationalists on section 
16. Prof. Estabrook was the first visiting pastor. Subsequently 
the Union church was raised, and dedicated about the same time 
that the Congregationalists began worship in their new building. 

OLD INDUSTRIES. 

The first industrial concern erected in the township was a steam 
saw-mill, built in 1849 by Thompson & Green, on section 16. In 
1856 C. A. Lull erected an extensive saw-mill on Cass river, near 
that of Thompson & Green. 

A shingle mill, built by Heidley on section 16, was used until 
converted into a blacksmith's shop by C. A. Lull. Subsequently 
Heidley erected another mill, which, after a few years, he sold to a 
Mr. Pobinson, who in turn disposed of his interest to Christian 
Messner. 

D. A. Pettibone & Co. erected a shingle mill and bored a salt 
well in 1862, but four years later the works were destroyed by 
fire. 

C. A. Lull's salt well was bored in 1*863 to a depth of 660 feet, 
at an expense of $2,000. The work was conducted by Leonard 

(758) 



BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP. 759 

Blake. Together with those mills there were three shingle fac- 
tories, all of which have been destroyed by fire or permitted to 
decay. 

NEW INDUSTRY. 

The only manufacturing establishment now in the township is a 
grist-mill, built by John and Martin Messner in 1878. It occu- 
pies the site of the old Heidley mill. This building is 30x40 feet, 
20 feet high, engine room 20x40 feet, and, with machinery, cost 
$5,000. There are two run of stone, one for flour and one for 
feed. 3,000 barrels of flour are manufactured annually, and 50 
bushels of feed ground per day. The engine used is a 32-horse 
power. Two salt wells are open, permitting thousands of barrels 
of rich brine to go to waste. The ruins of old mills and salt 
works may be seen along the river, all telling of what Bridgeport 
could have been, and suggestive of what it may be in the near 
future when enterprise will develop its resources. 

The first murders committed in the township were those by the 
Indians previous to 1837. The first murder of a white man was 
that of Deputy Sheriff Dineen, by Win. B. Clark, in April, 1881. 
This murderer was also known as "■ Walter E. Clark " and by other 
false names, but his true name is probably Chisolm. He was con- 
victed of horse-stealing and sentenced to the State's prison at Jack- 
son for a term of 15 years. When asked what he had to say why 
the sentence of the court should not be pronounced, he protested 
that he was innocent of the charge made against him. He received 
the sentence with few signs of emotion. He is 57 years of age, so 
that the sentence is probably as good as a life sentence, and will 
meet with general approval of those acquainted with the baseness of 
Clark's character. It also saves the county the expense of trying 
him fur murder. If his residence at Jackson agrees with him, so 
that he may outlive the term of imprisonment for horse-stealing, 
he will be tried for the murder of Dineen, and doubtless returned 
to the prison for the remainder of his life. 

There have been two or three cases of suicide in the township, 
the perpetrators seeking a mud-hole and a rope wherewith to end 
their existence in this world. 

CHURCHES. 

The following sketch was prepared by Mr. Pattee. It deals fully 
with the church history of Bridgeport: 

The first church in Bridgeport township was organized in 1844, 
by Kev. Bracket, a Wesleyan Methodist. J. B. Garland was leader, 
and the members were J. B. Garland and wife, Daniel Ellis and 
wife, Mrs. Eleazer Miller, Peter Leasia, Alonzo Crosby and wife, and 
several others. Mr. Payne was a local minister, who worked about 
three years at this point at clearing land for the settlers and other 
labor incident to a new country, and would preach on Sundays. 



760 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

He is said to have been a faithful pastor. He subsequently at- 
tended the Wesleyan Theological Seminary, at Albion, where he 
was ordained. About 1850 he married Mary Abrams, of Mt. Morris, 
Genesee Go., Mich. He went to Lower Saginaw in 1852, and a few 
years later died at Mt. Morris, where he was buried. His succes- 
sor (in 1847) was Rev. Isaac Andrews, a good man and faithful 
worker. Elder Jason Steele came here in 1850, and stayed until 
1852 or '53. He subsequently went to California, where he de- 
serted his chosen profession to fight for infidelity. About this 
time (1852 or '53) there was a frame school-house erected at Bridge- 
port village, and the services were then held in that building. 

After Mr. Steele left, the work was supplied by different preachers, 
Elder I. Andrews and others, till 1857, when Rev. Curtis Mosher 
came to East Saginaw, and extended his labors to Bridgeport vil- 
lage. He was a successful revivalist, and did a good work at all 
points where he labored. Many were converted in Bridgeport, and 
a Methodist Episcopal class was organized from the new converts, 
including the greater portion of the old Wesleyan class. Elder 
Mosher worked faithfully till 1860, when he was succeeded by the 
Rev. Brown, and the latter by Rev. H. O. Parker. Elder Gordon, 
the next preacher, is said to have been a good worker, and there 
were many additions to the Church under his zealous and well 
directed labors. In 1865 Rev. Crane located at Saginaw City, and also 
preached in Bridgeport township. The latter was divided in two 
classes, one being at the village, presided over by D. F. Foster, and the 
other in the south part of the township, with J. B. Garland as leader. 
Elder Crane and Mr. Foster did not agree about sundry matters, 
and finally carried the quarrel among the members, breaking up 
the class. The following year the conference did not send any 
minister to carry on the work. 

About this time Rev. B. W. Zinney, a local preacher, and a ma- 
son by trade, was working for C. A. Lull, the owner of the Bridge- 
port Center House. He saw a good chance to start a class 
and immediately went to work, forming a Methodist Protestant 
class of 18 members. Rev. Sullivan Clark was President of the 
Michigan Conference; B. W. Zinney, Superintendent of the Sag- 
inaw mission; Rev. A. Bradshaw, local minister, and Charles D. 
Pattee, class-leader. Many of the M. E. members joined the 
class, but a portion held aloof. Mr. Zinney was an illiterate 
man, but an earnest, zealous worker. Mr. Bradshaw had formerly 
been an able preacher in Canada, but had located in Bridgeport 
township in his old age. 

In the fall of 1867 Rev. John T.' Husted was sent as superin- 
tendent. He was a young man of very good ability, and had just 
been married. Before he came, the building of a church had begun 
to be agitated. Mr. D. F. Foster proposed to organize an M. E. 
class, and negotiate with the Methodist Protestants about the erec- 
tion of a church building. After several meetings Mr. Foster pre- 
sented the plan he intended to adopt, which proposed that the 



BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP. 761 

Methodist Protestants should furnish half the means for building, 
and should have the use of the house for preaching one appoint- 
ment each Sunday, and to use it such evenings as the M. E. class 
might designate, the church to be the latter's property. The 
Methodist Protestants of course rejected this proposition, and the 
conference ended. Mr. Foster then said he would build a church 
himself; so he paid a visit to Elder Richards (who had succeeded 
Rev. Crane, at Saginaw City), to consult him in the matter. He 
could not get the assistance from the M. E. Church that he desired, 
but Elder Richards advised him to see the members of the Congre- 
gational Church. He did so, and raised four or five hundred dol- 
lars, the present Congregational church being the final result of his 
labors. 

Elder A. C. Fuller succeeded Mr. Husted in the fall of 1866, 
and organized a class at Zilwaukee, and another at Carrollton. This 
same year, the " People's church" was built, with material aid 
from another organization. The latter denomination were to use 
it when they wanted to, but any other denomination could have 
the use of it, provided their appointments would not conflict with 
any already made. 

In 1869 Elder T. H. Beamish was pastor, and in 1S70 he was 
sent again, with a young man named James Wilson as assistant. 
The same year the classes at Zilwaukee and Carrollton united with 
the M. E. Church, under the management of Rev. James Riley. 
Elder Beamish organized a class at Cass river bridge, called the 
South Bridgeport class. In the fall of 1871 Rev. W. H. Bakewell 
was sent to minister to the people. He was an Englishman, a 
graduate of Oxford University, and rather eccentric in his ways. 
He had considerable trouble in his family, his wife showing marked 
signs of insanity, which latter seemed to affect the minister's mind. 
His work did not prosper, — the Bridgeport class had been reduced, 
by removals, to half a dozen members, and the South Bridgeport 
class was so weak it was concluded not to have any minister the 
following year. 

In 1873 Rev. James Riley came to Bridgeport Center, and 
preached in the People's church, in the hope of organizing a class. 
He did not succeed, but turned his attention to South Bridgeport, 
where his labors met with great reward. A class was organized, 
and a local preacher from Tuscola ministered to their spiritual 
wants once in two weeks. The Methodists at Bridgeport village 
attended the Congregational Church until 1878. During this year 
the latter denomination were without a minister, so they engaged 
Rev. E. E. Caster, M. E. minister at East Saginaw, to preach for 
them each alternate Sabbath, at two o'clock p. m. The Congre- 
gationalists had decided to have no preacher the following year, and 
when Elder Caster reported this to the M. E. Conference, that body 
sent Rev. Edwin Foster on to look after the flock at Bridgeport 
village. He found a discouraging state of affairs, — no class, no 
members to receive him, no foothold of any kind. Nothing 



762 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

daunted, he went out and bought a house and Jot, giving his horse 
for the first payment. Within a year he had a large class, and his 
salary of $500 had been promptly paid. He was sent again in 
1879-'80, and was followed by Rev. William Chaple, the present 
pastor, who is a native of Cornwall, England, but an enthusiastic 
admirer of his adopted country, and a promising young man. He 
is thoroughly in earnest, and his prospects are bright with promises 
of future usefulness. 

ORGANIC. 

The township was organized in ISIS, but the record of the first 
meeting is not now obtainable, nor indeed are the records of town- 
ship elections down to 1868 forthcoming. Since that period the 
township books have been well kept, and from them the following 
list of the principal township officials is made out: 

supervisors. 



Dennis Bow 1868 

Lyman Jackson 1869 

Dennis Bow 1870-'71 



Elias W. Morey...\ 1872 

Darwin A. Pettibone 1873-'80 

Chauncey Wisner 1881 



CLERKS. 



George J. Hill 1868-'9 

Walter A. Griffin 1870-'2 

T. S.Eddington 1873 



Seymour Hill 1874-'5 

Adelbert Woleott 1876-'81 



TREASURKKS. 

George Miner 1868 I Leverett Hodgman 1876 

LeYerett Hodgman 1869-'71 | Waller A. Griffin 1877-'8 

Jehiel Jackson 1872-'3 Seymour Hill 1879-'80 

Walter A. Griffin 1874-'5 August Bachman 1881 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

Leander L. Hill 1868'71 i William L. Cook 1873'6 

William H. P. Benjamin (to fill Petter Leasia 1874-'84 



vacancy) 1868 

John Liedlein 1869-'81 

Elias W. Morey (to till vacancy)1870 

Leonard Blakley 1871 -'82 

Hatten W. Beach 1872'5 



Henry Schultz 1876-'83 

Christopher Spangler (to till va- 
cancy) 1877 

John Leidlein(to fill vacancy). 1879 
Henry Schultz (to fill vacancy). 1881 



The village of Bridgeport, formerly known as the "'Bend of the 
Cass," is beautifully situated. In 1868 the population of this little 
hamlet was 500; to-day it is only 239. The population of the 
township apart from the village is 1,105. 



BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP. 



768 



KARI.Y LAND PURCHASERS. 



In the following pages the names of the patentees of the town- 
Bhip lauds arc given, with location and date of entry: 



M M. Cummings, sec. 1. Jan 31, is:?. 
Gideon Lee.sec. 1. Feb. 23, is:;;. 
.1 \V. Edmunds, sec. I, Nov. 10. 1836 
A. I. Shultzs.secs. 2 and 3, Oct. 17, 1836. 
.1. W. Edmunds, sec. 3, Nov. 10, 1836. 
William Thomas, sec. 4, Oct. 17. 1836. 
William Prout, sec 1. Aim. 25, 1836. 
W. T. Carroll, sec. 4, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Gideon Lee, sec. 1. Feb. 23, 1837. 
[saac Mills, jr., sec. 4. July 2, L836. 
Charles H.Carroll, sec. 5, June 22, 1836. 
William T. Carroll, sec.5,June22,1836. 
Edward Brown, sec.5, March 24, 1836. 
D. II. Fitzhugh, sec. 6, June 15,1835. 
Charles H.Carroll, sec. 6,June 15, 1835, 

and sec. 7, Juno 13, 1*35. 
Abels. Peters, sec. 8, July 11. 1835. 
Edwin Hessick. sec. !i. July 11, 1835. 
A.I. Shullzs, sec. 10, Oct. 15, 183G. 
T. P. Sawyer, sec. 10. Sept. 21, 1836. 
John Rudd, sec. 10, Sept. 21. 1836. 
[saac Mills, sec. 10, July 15. 1836. 
A. I. Shult/v. sec. 11, net. 15,1836. 
Gideon Lee, sec. 10. Feb. 23. 1837. 
R. I. s. Page, sec. 12, Feb. 10, 1837. 
S. II. Henich, mm-. 12, July 11. 1835. 
Gideon Lee, sec. 12, Feb. 28,1837. 
Thomas Malone.sec. 13. Oct. 12,1836. 
Warner Lake, jr., sees. 13 and 14, June 

4. 1836. 
Loomis Thayer, sec 14. June 3. 1836. 
Calvin Hotchkiss, sec. 14, Jan. 4, 1836. 
John I). Jones, sec. 15. June 27,1836. 
Gideon Lee, sec. 15, Feb. 2:;. 1837. 
Allan Avraull. sec. 15, Feb. 2:1, 1836. 
Norman Little, sec. 15, Feb. 23, 1836. 
Calvin Hotchkiss, iec. 15, Jan. 4, 1836. 
(i. I). Williams, sec. 15. Oct. 24, L835. 
Benjamin Clapp, see. 15, Oct. 24, 1835. 
Trumbull Cary, sec. 15. on. 21. 1835. 
Eleazer Mason, sec. 15. July 21, 1835. 
T. II. Newbold, sec. IT, June 13. L835. 
c. II. Carroll, sec. 18, June 13, 1835. 
•Iain-'- H.Jerome, sec 18,Sept. 15, L836. 
John Clifford,sec. 18, Feb. 19, 1*30. 
Perry G. Gardner, sees. 1* and 1'.). Feb. 

22. 1836. 
W. S. Stevens, sec. 19, Feb. 22, 1836. 
Josiah Beers, sec. 19, March 21. 1836. 
Nathan Phillips, sec 19, Nov. 15, 1836. 
Elias Collom, sec. 19, Nov. 15, 1836. 
Joseph E. Towne.sec. 20. Oct. 21, 1835. 
Allen Avrauli. sec. 20, Feb. 23, 1836. 
Norman Little, sec 20, Feb. 23,1836. 
Albert Miller, sec. 20, Aug. 25, 1836. 
s. |). Beers, Bee 20, March 21. 1836. 
Eleazer Miller, sec. 21, Sept. 1, 1835. 
Abel Millington, see. 21, Oct. 21, 1835. 

46 



N Foster, sec.21, March 11, 1836. 
Allen Avraull, sec. 21, Feb. 33, 1836. 
Norman' Little, see. 21, Feb. 2:1. 1836. 
Josiah Beers, see 21. March 21, 1836. 
Eleazer Miller, see. 23, Sept. 1. 1835. 
John Biddle, sec. 22, May, L823. 
Allen Avraull, Bee. 22. Feb. 2 !, 1836. 
Norman Little, sec. 22, Feb. 23, 1836. 
Eleazer Mason, see. 22, July 21, 1835. 
Henry Campeau, see. 22. (Jet. 3, 1834. 
John Biddle, see. 23, May 19, 1823. 
Calvin Hotchkiss, sec. 23, Jan. 4, 183G. 
G. D. Williams, sec. 23, Oct. 24, 1835. 
Benjamin Clapp, see. 23, Oct. 24, 1835. 
G. D. Williams, sec. 23, Aug. 6, 1835. 
E. S. Williams, see. 23, Aug. 6, 1835. 
H. Burchhart, sec. 24, June 3, 1836. 
Loomis Thayer, sec. 24, June 3, 183G. 
Jared II. Randell, sec. 24, May 31, 1836. 
II. G. Hotchkiss, sec. 24, Jan. 4, 1836. 
L. B. Hotchkiss, sec. 24, Jan. 4, 1836. 
G. D. Williams, sec. 24, Oct. 24, 1835. 
Benjamin Clapp, sec. 24, Oct. 24, 1835. 

J. Campeau, see. 25,March 26, . 

Thomas Simpson, see. 25, June 22, 1831. 
Joshua Terry, see. 25, Oct. 24, 1833. 
Noah Beach, see. 25, Nov. 17, 1835. 
E. S. Williams, see. 25, July 13, 1835. 
G. D. Williams, sec. 25, June 9, 1835. 
8. S. Campbell, see. 25, Dec. 8, 1835. 
Jared H. Randell, sec.25,May 21, i836. 
J. Bibble, sec. 26, Jan. 11, — . 

J. Farley, sec. 26, Jan. 11. . 

Abel S. Peters, see. 20, July 13, 1835. 
S. It. Herrick, sec. 26, July 13, 1835. 
Russell G. Hurd, see. 20, April 0, 1836. 
Jared II. Randell, sec.26,May31, 1836. 
Loomis Thayer, sec 27, June 3, 1836. 
Norman Little, sec. 27, Aug. 25, 1836. 
Hugh Birchhead, sees. 27and38,July 

13, 1836. 
Norman Little, sees. 28 and 20, Aug. 

25, 1836. 
Isaac Mills, jr., sec. 29, July 2, 1836. 
John Patterson, sec. 30, July 2, 1836. 
Moses lb Hess, sec. 30. Oct. 18, 1854. 
William Ellis, sec. 30, Nov. 14, 1853. 
L. Tupper, sec. 30, Dec. 18, 1854. 
Peter Lesia, Bee. 30, Nov. 17, 1853. ' 
J. M. Edmunds, see. 30, April 8,1854. 
Charles Lytle, sec. 31, Dec. 16, 1853. 
Johan M. Fisher, sec. 31, Dec. 21, 1854. 
G. M.O'Higgurson.sec 31, Dec. 17, '53. 
(). Tile Burtis, sec. 31, Dec. 9, 1854. 
.lames W. Adams, sec. 31, Oct. is. 1854. 
Norman Little, sees. 32 and 33, Aug. 

25, 1830. 
Peter Lesia, sec. 34, Dec. 16, 1853 



764 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY". 



James S Berry, sec. 34, May 18, 1855. 
Charles R. Taylor, sec. 34, Oct. 23, 1854. 
Joseph Cole, sec. 34, July 31, 1851. 
Ananias Langdon, sec. 34. July 31,1851. 
Asa B. Hadsell, sec 35, Feb. *20, 1837. 
Polly Todd, sec. 35, Feb. 20, 1837. 



Peter Lesia, sec. 35, Nov. 11, 185 1. 
Stephen Beers, sec. 36, March 21, 1836. 
Josiah Beers, sec. 36, March 21, 1836. 
James Thompson, sec. 36, May 5, 1836, 
Nathan Phillips, sec. 36, Nov. 14, 1836. 
Elias Colboru, sec 36, Nov. 14, 1836. 



PERSONAL HISTORY*. 

In the following pages much of the history proper of this dis- 
trict is given. In the lives of the men who built up this township 
to its present prosperous condition, are found important elements 
of its history: 

Burton Andruss, a pioneer of Bridgeport tp. and village, was 
born at Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y., July 2, 1820 ; parents were 
Arthur and Mary (Ingraham) Andruss, natives of Connecticut ; 
father served four years in IT. S. Armory, at Springfield, Mass., 
during war of 1812 ; grandfather, Eleazer Andruss, was a soldier 
in Continental army ; subject of sketch accompanied parents to 
Oakland Co., Mich., in October, 1837, and in July, 1845, to this 
county, where father died, Aug. 19, 1817, and mother Oct. 26, 1848; 
subject resided on sec. 27 until 1850, when he removed to village, 
and erected the first frame house ; is Republican, and has been a 
practicing lawyer for 15 years; was Tp. Clerk four years, and 
Justice of the Peace eight years ; was first Clerk of this tp. ; 
owns 60 acres of land; was married July 10, 1S45, to Olive, 
daughter of Joel and Lucy (Sampson) Pratt, who was born in 
Orange Co., Vt., May 29, 1821; 5 children are living— Emma C, 
wife of William Hunn, born Sept. 24, 1848; Clara A., wife of* 
George Bogie, born Sept. 8, 1853 : Herbert C, born July 12, 1S55; 
Cora M., wife of William Shaw, born April 11, 1858, and Don 
Clare, born March 19, 1861; the deceased is Ella G., who was born 
Feb. 24, 1852, and died Sept. 1,1854. 

Hon. W. H. P. Benjamin, M. JD., Bridgeport, Center, was born 
at Salnia (now Syracuse), Onondaga Co., N. Y., Sept. 2, 1839, and 
is a son of Harvey and Sarah Benjamin, natives of Massachusetts. 
Dr. Benjamin was educated at the Syracuse Institute, and in 1859 
began to read medicine with Dr. Hiram Hoyt, of Syracuse, with 
whom he remained two years. He was graduated at the 
Medical Department of University of Vermont, in March, 1861, 
and also took a course in the Albany (N. Y.) Medical University. 
In April, 1S61, he enlisted in the 3d Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., as hos- 
pital steward. In August of the same year he was appointed Act- 
ing Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. army, and served as such until 
the year 1863. He received an honorable discharge in August, 
1S63. In 1866 he came to Bridgeport, and practiced his profes- 
sion until 1875, since when he has been engaged in mercantile 
trade. In 1874, he was elected Representative of the 3d district, 
and in 1878 served one term as State Senator. He is Democratic 
in politics. He was married Dec. 28, 1876, to Emma Main. They 
have 2 children, Arthur Wellington and Florence R. 



BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP. 765 

Albert Boies, fanner, sec. "7; P. O., South Saginaw; was born in 
Erie Co., N. Y., March 3, 1826; parents are Joseph and Eliza Bates, 
natives of Vermont; father served in war of 1812, filling va- 
cancy of Capt. Ford. The subject of this sketch came to this 
county in 1854, and for four years was engaged in spile-driving 
on the Saginaw river; removed to present farm of 107 acres in 1S61 ; 
is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Republican party; was mar- 
ried Dec. 29, 1855, to Catherine McGee, born at St. Paul, Minn.. 
March 18. 1835. One child is deceased, 7 living — Ella, wife of 
William Steckert, born Aug. 29, 1856; Charles, born March 18, 
1859; George, born Jan. 14, 1862; Sarah A., born in August, 1S66; 
Joseph, born Oct. 9, 1872; Catherine, born Sept. 3, 1875, and 
Albert, born in May, 1879. 

Leonard Blakely, Bridgeport, was born in Missisko Co., Prov- 
ince of Quebec, Jan. 30, 1823; parents were Tilley and Sarah 
Blakely, natives of Hartford, Conn., and Bennington Co., Yt.; 
grandfather was Ensign in Revolutionary war, and was acquainted 
with General Green, who had headquarters at his father's house; 
subject was left to do for himself at an earl}' age, and has suffered 
many storms in the voyage through life; came to Bridgeport tp. 
in 1862, and has served as Justice of the Peace for 14 } r ears; is Re- 
publican in politics; was married May 5, 1847, to ftlartha M. Stone. 
Of their 6 children. 3 are living — Kirby, born Sept. 11, 1850; 
Dora G., born Aug. 15, 1859; has been school-teacher since 15 
years of age, and last five years in Bridgeport schools; and Clara, 
wife of George Hall, a telegraph operator at Otter Lake, born Aug. 
15. 1862; deceased are: — Oscar L.,a vocalist of remarkable ability, 
and proprietor of the " Blakely Quartette Company," a man of ex- 
cellent character, who was born July 21, 1848, and died April 27, 
1878; Ellen, wife of Austin N. Hill, born Oct. 13, 1852, and died 
May 17, 1879; and May, born Feb. 7, 1870, and died April 20, 1873. 

Dennis JBovj, farmer, sees. 14 and 22, was born in Penobscot 
Co., Me., April 18, 1829. His parents were Edmund B. and Eliza- 
beth Bow; father a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1857; 
mother still survives, and draws a pension. Mr. Bow accompanied 
his parents to this county in 1836, where his father operated the 
first grist-mill in the county. He also kept a hotel seven years, 
and in 1844 removed to Zilwaukee tp.; thence to Bridgeport tp. 
in 1851, where he was Supervisor two years, and Justice of the 
Peace four years, and also Justice of the Peace of Saginaw tp. 
five years. Dennis received a fair education and owns a good 
farm of 140 acres. He is Democratic in politics, and has 
been Justice of the Peace one term. Township Clerk one year, 
and Supervisor three years. He was married June 1, 1850, to 
Ellen Dnpaw, who was born at Detroit, Mich., in 1831. Four 
children were given them, 2 of whom are living — Lewis, who 
married Anna Brace, and Frank, husband of Nellie Cole. Mrs. 
Bow died Jan. 29, 1857, and Mr. B. was again married Oct. 28, 
1858, to Arloa D. ^Andrews, who bore him 3 children, and de- 



766 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

parted this life Jan. 30, 1861. Mr. Bow was married the third 
time, Dec. 18, 1862, to Mattie S., daughter of Norman and Sarah 
Cone, who was born in Genesee Co., Mich., March 27, 1S37. Of 
their 3 children 1 is living, Oliver J. Mr. Bow's Grand- 
father Haskell was a soldier in the Continental Army during the 
Revolutionary war. 

Mr. Bow's portrait is given in this work on page 311. 

Rodol pints Burt, farmer, sees. 3 and 1, was born at Peru, Ben- 
nington Co., Vt., July 7, 1812, parents were Scammel and Sal- 
lie Bnrt, natives of Massachusetts; father was a soldier in the war of 
1812; grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and great-grand- 
father was one of the three men killed in the " Boston Massacre," 
in March, 1770; latter came to this country soon after the Pilgrims, 
and was a pioneer of Massachusetts. Mr. Burt was reared on a 
farm; received education in district school; in 1861 went to Scott 
Co., la., and in 1862 located in this tp.; is Republican in politics; 
was married Feb. 19, 1835, to Elizabeth, daughter of Dan and 
Eliza Hitchcock, born in Windham Co., Vt, July 25, 1815. Of 5 
children 1 survives, Susan, wife of James E. Haves, born Nov. 2, 
1839; Fidelia was born Sept. 9, 1837, and died July 23, 1863; 
Joseph R. was born April 2, 1855, and died April 19, 1881; 
Andrew was born May 4, 1859, and died Feb. 5, 1862. His wife's 
grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers. 

Lilly Cook, farmer, sees. 22, 23, 25 and 26, was born in Wayne 
Co., N. Y., July 16, 1808; parents were John and Elizabeth Cook, 
natives of King Co., R. I.; father was a soldier in war of 1812; 
brother in "Sullivan's Expedition" against the Indians; subject of 
sketch is a carpenter by trade, and worked at that business till 
1S41; came to Michigan in 1839, and in 1841 purchased a farm on 
sec. 23 of this tp., which was mostly covered by timber; had to 
go to Flint to mill; was tax-agent of the American Fur Company for 
some time; assisted in building the. first school-house in Bridgeport 
tp.; now owns 360 acres of good land; was married Nov. 2, 1830, 
to Prudence Butts, who was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., March 2, 
1809. Her parents were Abraham and Abigail Butts; father a 
native of Rhode Island, mother of Long Island. Of their children, 
6 are living — William L.; Ruth A., wife of Geo. Rowe; Adeline A., 
wife of John Crosby; Eliza, wife of Calvin Stafford ;* Abraham A., 
and Mary A., wife of Robert Letterman. Mr. Cook is one of the 
staunchest Republicans in his district, and as a representative and 
honorable citizen we present his portrait in this volume, page 345. 

Daniel Ellis, one of the pioneer settlers of Bridgeport tp., was 
born in Orange Co., Vt, Nov. 22, 1812. His parents, Elihu and 
Abigail Ellis, were natives of Keene, N. H., and when Daniel was 
15 years of age he went to St Lawrence, N. Y., where he remained 
till of age. In 1836 he came to Tuscola Co., Mich., and the year 
following located in Bridgeport, arriving there by the Indian trail 
from Pine Run. He assisted in building the first roads in the tp. 
He was forced to go to mill at Flushing, and remembers when 



BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP. 767 

teams ciiine from Lansing to get lumber to build the first frame 
houses in that village. He was married Jan. 14, 1846, to Matilda 
Leasia. Of their 7 children 5 are living — George W., Charles D., 
James II., Julia, wife of John Hurpel, and Eugene A. Mrs. Ellis 
died in November, 1859, and December, 1861, he married Frances 
Fritz. Of their 7 children 4 survive — Emma, Anna, Edwin and 
Freddie. 

William L. Cook, farmer, sec. 25, was born at Arcada, Wayne 
Co., .N. Y., July 20, 1830; parents are Lilly and Prudence Cook, 
who settled in this county in November, 1839; subject received his 
education in district schools; owns a fine farm of 239 acres and 
adopts principles of the Republican party; was married April 21, 
1857, to Rachel M. Murch, who was born at Mt. Morris, Livingston 
Co., K Y., Oct. 18, 1829; parents are William and Margaret 
(Cooper) Murch. Of their 5 children, 4 are living — Silas G., born 
Sept. 3, 1859; Lizzie G., born March 23, 1860; Kittie M., born Sept. 
29, 1864, and Charles A., born Sept. 28, 1869. Willie was born 
March 4, 1862, and died 18 days later. Mr. Cook was appointed 
Postmaster of Cass Briege under Buchanan's administration, 
which position he still holds. 

Henry S. Ed(jet, retired farmer, sec. 21, was born at Greenville, 
Greene Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 1810; parents were Seymour and Abigail 
Edget; father was soldier in war of 1812, and grandfather served 
seven years in Continental army; subject of sketch came to this 
county in 1844; first located in Taymouth tp., thence to Ports- 
mouth and Saginaw City, thence to East Saginaw, where he was book- 
keeper for James P. Hayden & Co. for three years; and in 1879, to 
his present farm; was estimating lumber in the timber for 16 years; 
is Republican in politics; was married Jan. 1, 1840, to Eliza, daughter 
of Jacob and Phoebe Yan Sickle, who was born in Sussex Co., N. J., 
April 1, 1818. Of their 4 children 2 are living — John A., a lawyer 
of East Saginaw, and Alice V.; wife is a cousin of General Rose- 
cranz. and a distant relative of Capt. Rosecranz, of Revolutionary 
fame. Subject and wife are members of First Baptist Church, of 
Saginaw City. 

Louis Fesslcr was born in 1843 at Baden, Germany; came to 
this country at an early day with his parents, locating in Tuscola 
county, where his mother yet lives. In 1853 he came to Saginaw 
county, where he has been an active citizen. Was married in 
Tuscola county to Miss Rachel Eisenstein, a native also of Baden, 
Germany. His family consists of 6 children, all residing with 
their parents at the old homestead in Bridgeport, four miles from 
East Saginaw. Mr. F. is one of the staunchest Republicans, his 
first vote being cast for Abraham Lincoln. 

Leverett Ilodgiimn, an early pioneer of Bridgeport tp., was born 
in town of Ilartland, Windsor Co., Yt., July 6, 1819. His parents 
were Lot_C. and Mary Hodgman.the former of whom was a keeper^/** 
in theT'ermont State's prison, during the war of 1812. His broth- 
ers, Timothy and Jonathan, were soldiers. Mr. Hodgman, sr., 



X 



768 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

was a Major General in the Revolutionary war. Leverett, when 
17 years of age, accompanied his parents to Saginaw county, set- 
tling in Saginaw tp., on the Tittabawassee river, and in 1841, locat- 
ing in Bridgeport tp., where the mother died in 1838, and the 
father Sept. 10, 1841. Henceforth Leverett had to make his own 
way in the world, and had his share of pioneer life. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, as was his father for several 
years, and a Republican. He was married Jan. 22, 1847, to Betsey 
J. Kittridge, who bore him 2 children, one of whom is living, 
Charles F. Frances C. is deceased. Mrs. Hodgman died April 
7, 1850, and Mr. II. was again married June 15, 1872, to Mrs. 
Cynthia A. Murphy, daughter of Luna and Betsey Thayer, who 
was born in Oswego Co., E". Y., May 13, 1835. 

M. P. Hodgman, son of Lot C. and Mary Hodgman, was born 
in Vermont, June 11, 1823. He accompanied his parents to this 
county in 1836, and was here reared to manhood. Mr. Hodgman 
owns a valuable farm of 80 acres on sec. 24, and is a believer in the 
principles of the Republican party. He was married Oct. 19, 1856, 
to Elizabeth Hudson, who was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Feb. 19, 
1836. Her parents are Isaiah J. and Mary B. Hudson, of Genesee 
Co., N. Y. Of their 5 children, 3 are living — Celestia M., 
wife of George Becker, was born Oct. 30, 1857 (they have two 
children); Katie V. and James I, at the old homestead. Mr II. lo- 
cated his present home when in its wild state. 

Peter Leasia, farmer, sec. 26, was born at Port Kent, Clinton 
Co., N. Y., April 5, 18J5 ; parents are John B. and Josephine 
Leasia ; when subject of sketch was four years old, his parents re- 
moved to Canada East, and in 1836 to Oakland Co., Mich. ; when 
16 years of age, he learned the blacksmith's trade, and after a short 
time at Detroit came to Saginaw City (February, 1842) ; followed 
hunting and trapping for some years : on one occasion partner and 
himself speared 13 barrels of white-fish in one November night — 
the night after J. K. Polk's election; subject worked at lumbering 
for others till 1851, then worked for himself nine years ; since then 
has been farming; cut the old "Portsmouth road " in 1848; is 
serving eleventh year as Justice of the Peace, and owns 80 acres 
of land ; was married June 8, 1853, to Ruth A. Cook, who bore 
him 3 children — Sylvester (dec), Henry and Almira, wife of James 
Watson; was again married April 26, 1866, to Mrs. Eliza Walt. 
They have 1 child, Maud E. M. In 1873 his second wife met 
her death by the explosion of a can of kerosene oil, while endeav- 
oring to light a lire. 

Charles A. Lull, one of Saginaw county's old and respected pio- 
neer?, was born at Windsor, Windsor Co., Vt., May 17, ISO!), and 
is a son of Joab and Ruth Lull , also natives of Windsor county. 
Mr. Lull's father was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, and his 
grandfather served as Captain in the Revolutionary war. Charles 
received a fair education, and in 1831 located in Oakland Co., 
Mich., and two years later in Saginaw county, entering So acres 



BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP. 769 

of land od sec. 1, Spalding tp., being the first settler in Saginaw 
county, east of the Saginaw river. lie went to Detroit, to enter his 
html, and while there bought an ox team and cart. lie drove them 
home, over the swamps and through the dense forests up to his 
own cabin, where his parents, who had settled here the same year, 
were waiting to l'eceiveTnm. In 1851 he removed to Bridgeport 
tp.. and located 100 acres of land, lie built a steam saw-mill at 
Bridgeport the same year, and operated it two years. He also built 
the Bridgeport Center House, lie now owns 160 acres in Spalding, 
and 14" acres of land in Bridgeport tp. He is a Republican and 
during the war was a member of the Union League. lie was 
married < >ct. 3, 1835, to Roxy Whitney, who was born in Madison 
Co., -X. V., Feb. 20, 1809, and is a daughter of Ebenezer and 
Jerusha Whitney, natives of Connecticut. They have 3 children — 
Adaline, wife of D. A. Petty bone; Charles L., who married Effie 
Kranse, and Marion, wife of I. C. Simons. In January, ISSo, the 
partner of his joys and sorrows passed away, after passing two-score 
and five years together of wedded life. No man ranks higher in his 
community and none can look back upon a life of three-score and 
twelve with less regret, so far as usefulness is concerned, than our 
respected citizen Charles A. Lull. 

William P. Jfine/\ farmer, sec. 21, was born at Sharon, Windsor 
Co., Vt., June 14, 1834; is son of William H. and Theda (Wheeler) 
Miner; father born in Connecticut in 1790, was member of "old 
Springfield Militia Company," kept toll-gate in Bridgeport tp. for 
12 years, and died Sept 1<>, 1863; mother is native of New Hamp- 
shire, and died in September, 1856; subject of sketch came to this 
county in June. 1853, and a year later went to Wisconsin, where he 
was engaged in lumbering, and'as a pilot for several years; in 1860 
returned to this tp., where he owns 80 acres of land; is a Republi- 
can, and member of Masonic fraternity; was married Sept. 18, 
I860, to Cheslina Hayes; of their 7 children, 3 survive — 
Carrie S., born June 14, 1865; Frances, born Nov. 7, I s t ; 7 . and 
Maynard, born Feb. 7. 1*7'>; wife is a daughter of Alfred and 
Laura Hayes, and was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Feb. 14, 1839. 

Charles D. Puttee, son of Asa J. and Olive (McColister) Pattee, 
wa6 born in Merrimac Co., X. H., July 28, 1828; subject's 
grandfather, Dummer Pattee, a soldier in the war of 1812, was 
killed at Plattsburg; great-grandfather was a Frenchman, and 
came to this country with Lafayette, served as Captain in Revolu- 
tionary war, and died aged 93 years; subject's mother is descend- 
ant of the McGregors, who were driven from Scotland; subject 
accompanied parents to Maine, thence to Monroe Co., N. V., 
where mother died; was thrown upon his own resources at age of 
10 years; in 1851 came to Lenawee Co., Mich.; thence to Gene- 
see county, and in 1854 to Saginaw county; in 1861 enlisted in Co. 
M, 3d Mich. Caw, as 1st Duty Sergeant, and was discharged in 
April, 1864; re-enlisted in October, 1864, in Co. 1, 15th Reg. Mich. 
Vol. Inf., and was Orderly Sergeant of company on detached ser- 



770 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

vice; was discharged Sept. 15, 1865; is Republican in politics, and 
was appointed Postmaster in 1880; was married Sept. 1, 1850, to 
Lydia Atherton. They have 6 children, — Flora B., wife of J. 
Hiram Ellis; John A., Sergeant in the U. S. army; W. Frank, 
Charles R., Phoebe M. and Fred J. Subject and wife are members 
of the M. E. Church. Returned from the war in 1865 broken in 
health, bought 80 acres of land and commenced on it, but on 
account of ill health sold out and started in the grocery and pro- 
vision business, but failed. He then returned to the woods, making 
staves, getting out shingle-bolts, wood, etc.; was burned out clean 
in the iires of 1871, saving only a part of his furniture, losing 
staves, wood, and shingle-bolts to the amount of hundreds of dol- 
lars, and leaving him bare-handed, with the exception of 80 acres 
of land well burned over. Bought 160 acres more of timber land 
on credit, and hired men and went to making staves, etc.; was doing 
well, when the panic of 1873 struck the country and there was no 
sale for anything. His land was paid for within $300, but it went 
under. He left the woods again, settled in the village, where he 
now resides, and where he expects to remain till he dies. 

Albert Procunier , farmer, sec. 19, was born in Upper Canada 
May 13, 1846, and is a son of Peter and Anise Procunier. He 
came to Saginaw county in November, 1865, and by industry and 
economy has succeeded in accumulating 80 acres of good land. He 
has been engaged in threshing grain for the past few years. Mr. 
Procunier was married Jan. 7, 1867, to Eliza Shawl, daughter of 
Alexander and Eliza DeWitt, who was born in Norfolk Co., 
Upper Canada, Aug. 28, 1854. They have 1 child, Lizzie S., born 
Oct. 18, 1869 

Andrew J. Phillips, agriculturist, sec. 5, was born in Oak- 
land Co., Mich., May 4, 1828; parents were William and Olivia 
Phillips, natives of Otsego Co., N. Y., who settled in Oakland 
Co., Michigan, when Pontiac was an Indian trading post and con- 
tained only two inhabitants; mother subsequently visited New York, 
and took passage on the boat "Walk-in -the-Water," on her first 
trip across Lake Erie; father was a teamster, and died in August, 
1874, aged 72 years, and his wife in September, 1871, aged 71 years. 
Subject came to this county in 1851, and for 10 years was engaged 
in drying lumber; since then has been farming; owns S2 acres of 
land, and is a Democrat; was married in 1848 to Emily Black- 
burn. Of the 3 children given to seal this union 2 are living, — 
Elvira O., wife of J. R. Lead better, and Horace E., who married 
Rosa Tuttle. Mrs. Phillips' parents, Nathaniel and Roxina (Rit- 
ter) Blackmer; father a native of Canada West, mother State of 
New York, Canandaigua; Mrs. Phillips born in Niagara Co., N.Y., 
came to Saginaw county, 1857. His business was a builder and 
contractor, well known to the older citizens of East Saginaw; died 
in 1855; mother still living. 

Isaac C. Simons, merchant and brick manufacturer, Bridgeport 
Center, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., March 18, 1839, and is a 



BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP. 771 

.-on of Conrad and Sarah Simons, natives of New York and Ver- 
mont. Mr. Simons' father died when he was yet a youth, and lie 
was reared at Camden, N. Y .. and received a fair education. In 
L869 he came to Bridgeport and operated a saw-mill for two years, 
lie then formed a partnership with W. II. P. Benjamin, in the 
mercantile trade. On Aug. 15, 1861, Mr. Simons enlisted in Co. 
E, 32d Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Forbes, and participated 
in all the battles of the army of the Potomac. He was honor- 
ably discharged June 9. 1862.. He was married in April, 1S71, to 
Marion Lull. They have 3 children — Effie, Charles and Edwin. 
Mr. Simons is a staunch Republican. He manufactured 1,000,000 
brick in 1SS0. 

Silas Woodard, agriculturist, sec. 24, was born at Geneva. 
X. Y., Xov. 11, 1812; parents were Benjamin and Polly Wood- 
ard; grandfather and two brothers came from England, and settled 
in Onondaga Co., X. Y.; subject of sketch passed his early life in 
Cayuga Co., N. Y., and in 1839, came to Saginaw Co., purchasing 
SO acres of land, where he now resides; he returned to New York, 
and in 1S40 located in Oakland Co., Mich., and five years later on 
his farm in this county; was the first settler in county east of 
plank road; built log cabin 18x24 feet, where he resided 14 years 
without seeing the smoke of a chimney of a neighbor; is a cooper 
by trade, and worked at that trade more or less from 1833 to 1879, 
six years of which in Tuscola Co., Mich.; is Republican; has been 
Justice of the Peace two terms, and owns 80 acres of land; was mar- 
ried Oct. 8, 1S37, to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Lydia La 
Rue, of New Jersey, who was born in Livingston Co., .N". Y., 
July 22. 1818. Three children are living — Esther, wife of E. C. 
Roberts; Henry, who married Sarah Sutherland, and Wilhelmina; 
deceased are Leona, Desfas, Burt and William. Their flour was 
obtained at the Thread mills beyond Flint, following trail by marked 
trees. 



BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP. 



The territory embraced in the township of Buena Vista was 
called by the aborigines Tik-wak-baw-hawriing, or Hickory Place. 
Even after the establishment of the American Fur Company's post 
on the east bank of the river, and for some years after Leon Snay 
made it his home, this district, known in the United States survey 
as township 12 north of ranges 4 and 5 east, bore the singular ap- 
pellation of Tik-wak-baw-kawning. Justin Smith was the first 
patentee of lands within the boundaries of Buena Vista. Gardner 
D. Williams made the first clearing and may be said to have been the 
first farmer in the township, as just below the business center of the 
city was the " farm," a small clearing cultivated once or twice pre- 
vious to its purchase by Norman Little in 1849. This was the 
beginning of agriculture within the township, even as the Emer- 
son Mill was the beginning of its manufacturing industries. 



NAMING THE TOWNSHIP. 



Emerson, who located at Saginaw City in 1816, was accustomed 
to cross the river in the morning, attend to his milling business 
until evening, and then return to the town of Saginaw. This pro 
ceeding became distasteful after a year or so, and he determined 
to make a home for himself. 

In May, 1847, prior to his actual settlement on the east bank of 
the river, he heard loud words telling of anything but what is 
friendly or complimentary. Walking quietly toward the shanty, 
from which the sounds proceeded, he saw three females, attired in 
working costume, standing by their wash pails; heard them treat- 
ing one another to abusive harangues, even listened to their indul- 
gence in language that would make the most profane man on the 
''drive" turn pale, or drive him to flight, The mill-owner never 
quailed; he was determined to witness the denouement. 

After a prolonged debate the argumentum ad judicium failed, 
and that of the staff was enforced. Soap, suds, clothes, pieces of 
wood, all portable articles within reach, were cast at fair heads by 
fair hands, until Emerson rushed among the amazons, appealed to 
their modesty, and succeeded in arranging an armistice, if not a per- 
manent peace. Keturning that evening to Eleazer Jewett's house, 
he described vividly the battle which he witnessed, when Mrs. Jew- 
ett remarked, " It was a regular Buena Vista." "Yes, that it was," 
replied Emerson, "and I will call the place by that name." Sub- 
sequently, when he opened a store there, built his first home and 
gathered round him a few industrious working men, the district 
east of Bristol street bridge, extending to Brady Hill cemetery, 

(772) 



BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP. 773 

won that name, and his house he was pleased to call "The Hall of 
the Montezumas." It is thought, however, that the name was con- 
ferred in honor of the Union victory during the Mexican war. In 
1850 the township was organized under the name of Buena Vista. 
To render the name as applicable now as it was then sarcastic, is 
the work of later settlers, and in the accomplishment of this work, 
there seems to be a rare unanimity. The ;i Hall of the Monte- 
zumas " was burned in 1866, when the following five verses, at once 
mysterious and rude, were written: 

LAMENT FROM THE HALLS OF THE MCONTEZUMA8. 

I'm growing, I'm growing fat — I really don't know why, 

For on my short allowance a very rat would die; 

It cannot be the " liquor law;" for that I came too late ; 

Besides, for that I'm well supplied,— -thanks to my friend Haight. 

Time was, a very short time since, when 1 was really lean; 
A slimmer and genteeler man was nowhere to be seen; 
< Mie little, little month ago— and that's what makes it odd — I 
( ould number every single rib there was in all my body. 

Bui now I'm plump, I'm very plump; few I know are plumper; 
And my swelling cheeks are of a hue that stains a rosy bumper; 
1 always hate fat men ; I can't conceive why I 
Of all men living should be doomed to such obesity. 

My legs were very small indeed, the legs I wore in spring; 
My arms and hands were very lean, my ringers, just the thing; 
But I've had to cast my coat aside, my hoots, my gloves and vest, 
And with folded arms have gazed upon the pants I've loved the best. 

Tins thought is ever in my mind, and will not thence away: 
"I'is Daniel Lambert's ghost by night, and Daniel's self by day; 
Then take the solomn chorus, boys, its mournful notes toll on, 
I'm giowing fat, I'm growing fat ! Alas, poor Emerson ! 

In the following sketch, written immediately after the death of 
the Montezumian, the events characteristic of his life are re- 
viewed: 

Curtis Emerson, the pioneer citizen of Buena Vista, was born at 
Norwich, Windsor Co., Vt., Feb. 4, 1810. He came to Michigan 
in the spring of 1836, when it was a Territory, and located at De- 
troit, where for 10 years he was engaged in the manufacture of 
malt liquors. He removed to Saginaw City Dec. 26, 1846, and the 
following 4th of July to the east side of the river, and named his 
location Buena Vista, in honor of Gen. Taylor's victory over Santa 
Anna, Feb. 22, 1>47. Mr. Emerson bought the property known as 
"Emerson's Addition" to East Saginaw, which consisted of a 
steam Baw-mill, a boarding house, two dwelling houses, a black- 
smith shop, and a barn, and 171 acres of land, the mill being located 
on the present site of the City Gas Works. There were only four 
mills on the Saginaw river at that time, and Mr. Emerson had 
plenty of sawing to do. He brought the greater portion of his logs 
from the (ass river, his lumber camp being situated within half a 



774 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

mile of Caro, the present seat of Tuscola county. There were no 
hotels in East Saginaw when Mr. Emerson located there, and for 
many years the " Halls of the Montezumas " was an " open house " 
to all travelers far and near, and many of the pioneers and early 
settlers of Northern Michigan remember Mr, Emerson's genuine 
hospitality with feelings of deepest gratitude. 

In 1837, the first year of his residence at East Saginaw, Mr. 
Emerson shipped to C. P. Williams & Co., Albany, N. Y., the first 
full cargo of clear lumber shipped from Michigan, hi 1849 Mr. 
Emerson, in connection with three others, constructed the first 
steamboat on the Saginaw river. It was christened the u Buena 
Vista " and was engaged in carrying passengers, lumber, and towing 
rafts to the bay. About 1855 or '56 Mr. Emerson retired from the 
lumber trade, and devoted the remainder of his life to the real- 
estate business. He was never married, and his only sister, Mrs. 
Atwater, died many years ago. 

Curtis Emerson was a man in whom the citizens of Saginaw 
county had the most implicit confidence. Always honest and up- 
right in his dealings with his fellow men, lie enjoyed the good will 
and esteem of all classes since his entry into Saginaw county. He 
was ill during the past 10 years of his earthly pilgrimage, but bed- 
ridden only a few months. On Feb. 11, 1880, he was ik gathered to 
his fathers," and a few days following his remains were laid to 
rest. 

FIRST REGULAR SETTLEMENT IN THE TOWNSHIP. 

CurtisEmerson located just outside the original plat of East Sagi- 
naw in 1847. At that time there were only two dwelling houses, a 
boarding: house, a blacksmith shop and the Emerson saw-mill and 
office. One of the houses was the property of Capt. Leon Snay ; the 
others may be said to belong to Emerson. In 1848 he fitted up 
the blacksmith shop as a store, and succeeded in gathering round 
him a limited circle of genial spirits, who made his store their 
church, school and public hall, and were not slow, when circum- 
stances pointed out such a summary course, to adjourn to his 
dwelling-house. This settlement actually existed in 1848-'9 on the 
river front, near the foot of Bristol street, above the " Hoyt Plat." 
This mill is referred to in the county history as built by Harvey 
Williams, for Mackey, Oakley, Jennison and Little in '36, and as 
purchased by Curtis Emerson and James Eldridge 10 years later. 

PATENTEES OF U. S. LANDS IN BUENA VISTA. 

The principal portion of the lands of Buena Yista at the disposal 
of the general Government was entered in 1835-'6. A few entries 
were made previously, between 1830 and 1832, but the earliest re- 
corded in the LTnited States survey dates back to May 31, 1823, when 
Justin Smith entered a fraction of sec. 7. Up to the period when 
the last acre of the township lands was purchased (1855) the 
country was in its wild state. The village of East Saginaw, or- 
ganized that year, was very primitive indeed; and yet it was so im- 
proved at that time that it bore the same comparison to the town- 



BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP. 



75 



ship as the city of the present time would to the village of the past. 
What vast improvements have been effected within a quarter of a 
century in the township of Buena Vista will be learned from the 
ri<j;ures and descriptions given in these pages. The first land-buyers, 
and particularly the occupying proprietors among them, claim 
the honor of building up the township to a prosperous condition : 



Now-e-chig-ema, sec. 2, May l, 1854. 
Maw-chig-e-may, sec. - -\ June is, 1855. 
Albert II. Dorr, sec. 3, Sept. 11, L835. 
II Montgomery, sec. 3, June 22, 1836. 
Charles H.Carroll, sec. 3, June 23 and 

24, 1836. 
Win. T. Carroll, sec. 3, June 24, 183d. 
Benedicl Tremble, sec 5, Jan 7, L8 15. 
Enoch Olmsted, tec 5, Aug 13, 1835. 
Albert II. Dorr. sec. 5, Sept. 11, 1835. 
T. Simpson, sec. 5, June 29, 1835. 
Bradley Bunnel, sec. 6, Oct. 5, 1835. 
John Todd.sec. (i. June 7. 1836. 
C. H. Carn.il, sec. 6, June 22, 1836. 
Wm. '1'. Carroll, sec. 6, June 22, 1836. 
K. X. Davenport, sec. <i, Aug. 17, 1835. 
Justin Smith, see. 7. May 31, 1823. 
David Stanard, sec. ?, Sept. 23. 1830. 
Trumbull Cary, sec. 7, Oct. 21, 1835. 
Willard B. Bunnel, sec. 7, July 33,1835. 
Charles II. Carroll, sec.s, June 13 lc35. 
David Stanard, sec. 8, Sept. 23, 1830. 
Zenas D. Bassett, sec 9, June 25. 1836. 
Matthew Coff, sec.9, June 25. is:;*;. 
II. Montgomery, sec. 9, June 22, 1836. 
C. H. Carroll, s?c. 9, June 22, 1836. 
Benj. K. Hall. see. 10, Sept. 24. 1836. 
.1. W. Edmunds,sec 1 I, Nov. 10.1836. 

F. W. Gerber, sec 13, July 13, 1851 
('. Schneider, sec 13 July 30, 1851. 
James S. Killen, sec 13, July 30, 1851. 
John II. Storr, sec. 13, July 30, 1851 
Philip Canathy. sec. 14. July 30, 1851 
John Jones, sec. 14, July 30, 1851. 
John Runyon, sec 14. July 30, 1851. 
Agnes Coker, sec 14 July 30, 1851. 
John McNeil, sec. 15, Aug. 26,1836. 

('. B.Granniss, sec 15, July 15, 1836. 
Benj. K. Hall, sec. 15, June 10, 1836. 
EL Montgomery, sec. 17. June 22, 1836. 
C. II. Carroll, sec. 17. June 22. 1836 
Win. T. Carroll, sec 17. June 22. 1836. 
Norman Little, sec. 17, March 9. 1836. 
T. Cary, sec. is, Ocl 21, is:::.. 
A. Millington, sec. is. Oct. 21, 1835. 

G. I). William-, sec. 18, Feb. 16, 1832, 
E S William-, sec. 18, Feb. 16, 1832, 

and Jan 29, 1834. 
X. Little, sec. 18, March 9, 1836. 
W. 15 Runnel, sec. 18, July 2:!. 1835. 
J. II Jerome, sec is. Sept 12, 1836. 
A. Harrison, sec is. Aug. 11, 1835. 
Allen Ayrault, sec. 19, Feb 23, 1836. 
X. Little, sec. 1!». Feh. 2J. 1836. 
E N Davenport, sec 19, Aug. is, 1835. 
N. Little, sec. 20, March 9, 1836. 
James Hosmer, sec. 20, May 11, 183*;. 
II. Montgomery, sec 30, June 22, 1836. 



C. II. Carroll, sec 20, June 22, p:jfi. 

C. B. Grannies, sec. 21, July 15, 1836. 
Alexander Baxter, sec. 21, June 24,1836. 

B. K Hall. sec. 21, June 10, 1836 
John McNeil, sec. 21, Aug. 26, 1836. 
A. S.Thompson, sec. 22, Oct. is, i*36. 
Geo. Chandler, sec. 22, Oct. 13, 1836. 
A.C.Scott, sec. 22, Oct. 11, 1836. 

M. 0'Keefe,sec. 23, July 30, 1851. 

D. S. Kilmard, sec. 23, July 30, 1851. 
John Mousee, see 23, Aug. 30, 1851. 
W. S. Hosmer, sec. 23. Oct. 15. 1836 
Jacob Efleefleget, sec. 24, July 2, 1852. 
Henry Rank, sec. 21, May 21, 1851. 
Peter Dean, sec. 24, May 21, 1851. 
Wm Rice, see. 24, Jan 31, 1837. 
JohnFreede, sec. 24, Aug. 30, 1851, 

S. Cuming-, see. 25, Jan. 3, 1837 
Geo. L. Meyer, see. 25, Dec. 5, 1853. 
|{ A. Quartermass, sec. 25, Jan, 31, 

1 837. 
Mary Tedrick, sec. 25, Sept, 8, 1852. 
M. Leidleim, sec 25, April 17, and Oct. 

23, 1854. 
W. S Hosmer, sec 20, Oct. 15. 1836. 
M. Minick, see. 26, Feb. 24, is:,:; 
Conrad Tetrick, sec 26, Oct 20, 1854. 
W S Hosmer, sec. 27, Oct. 15, 1836. 

C. Matthews, sec 27, Oct. 15,1836. 
H.L Bennett, sec. 27. Oct. 20, 1S54. 
Miranda Vance, sec. 27, Oct. 11, 1836. 
Amanda Vance, sec. 27, Oct 11, 1836. 
Robert II Stone, see. 27, Oct 18, 1836. 
John McNeil, sec. 28, Aug. 26, 1836. 
Wm. Prout, sec. 28, Aug 25, 1836. 
Wm. T. Carroll, sec 28, Aug. 25, 1836. 
II Montgomery, sec 20. June 22, 1836. 
C. H. Carroll, sec. 29, June 22, 1836 
James Hosmer, see 29, May 11, 1836. 
S. II Herrick, sec 30, June 11, 1835. 
C.H. Carroll, sec 30. June 13. 1835. 

I) II Fitzhu srh, sec. 31, June 13,1835. 
S. II Herrick., sec. 31, .Time 11,1835. 
James Hosmer, sec. 32, May 11, 1836. 
C.H Carroll, sec. 32, June 22, 1836. 
Wm. T. Carroll, sec 32, June 22. and 

sec. 33, Aug. 25, 1836. 
William Prout, sec 33, Aug 25,1836. 
John McNeil, sec. 33, Aug. 26, 1836, 
A I. Shultz. sec. 34, Oct. 17, 1836. 
Gideon Fee sec. 35, Feb 23, 1837. 
J. W. Edmunds sec. 35, Nov. 10, 1836. 
J. Pornketner, sec. 36, Sept 8, 1852. f* 
Christian Cramer, sec. 36, Sept. 28, 1850. 
Johan Ehrkriger, see 36, Nov. 9 and 

28, 185::. 
Chris. Schult/..sec.36, Dec. 19, 1853. 
" 24, •• 



776 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



ORGANIC. 



Buena Vista was organized under authority given by the State 
Legislature, during the winter session of 1849-50. The act di- 
rected "That township number twelve north, of range six east, and 
the fractional part of township number twelve north, of range 
number five east, being all that lies east of the Saginaw river, and 
also that part of township number twelve north, of range four east, 
that lies south and east of Saginaw river, in the county of Sagi- 
naw, be and the same are hereby set off from the township of Sagi- 
naw, and organized into a separate township, by the name of Buena 
Vista ; and the first township meeting therein shall be held at the 
house now occupied by Curtis Emerson, in said township." 

This act was approved March 28, 1850. Since its first organi- 
zation the boundaries of the township have been subjected to many 
changes ; new territory has been added at one time, cession of por- 
tions of original lands has been made at other times. 

The organization of the townships, noticed in these pages, tell 
of the various additions to and subtractions from the Buena Vista 
of the year 1850. 

The organization of Buena Vista was perfected May 1, 1850, 
when the people assembled within the " Hall of the Montezumas," 
for the purpose of electing officers of the new township. The 
meeting was presided over by Stephen Little, with Alfred M. Hoyt, 
Clerk ; George Oliver and A. K. Penny, Inspectors. The en- 
tire number of voters present was 19. The election resulted :. 
For supervisor, Curtis Emerson; for treasurer, Stephen Lytle; jus- 
tices of the peace, Andrew Evart, George Oliver and Stephen Ly- 
tle; township clerk, Charles W. Grant; director of the poor, Cur- 
tis Emerson and A. K. Penny; commissioner of highways, Sylvester 
Webber one year, and those well known " highwaymen,"A. K. Penny 
and C. W. Grant, for two and three years respectively; school 
inspectors, A. M. Hoyt and A. K. Penny; and for constables, 
Archibald Campbell, David Joslin, George Miner and Erastus 
Vaughan. 

The affairs of the township were well administered during the 
years immediately succeeding. Roads were cut through the heavy 
timber lands; in a few cases corduroy roads were made, the creeks 
bridged and many enterprising works inagurated. In 1855 the 
village of East Saginaw was detached from the township of Buena 
Vista and placed under municipal government. The records of 
the township from organization to 1859 cannot now be found; it is 
supposed they were destroyed by fire. The earliest record on the 
books, in possession of Mr. Weidmiller, goes back only to 1859, the 
date of the organization of the city of East Saginaw, and its total 
separation from the township. 

A meeting of the electors of Buena Vista, held at the Wads- 
worth school-house, April 4, 1859, with Wm. Wadsworth, super- 
visor, presiding, and Jason Steele, township clerk. Henry Guiley 



IIL'KNA VISTA TOWNSHIP. 



77' 



was appointed inspector of election. The result of this meeting 
was the choice of Wm. L. Goulding for supervisor; Augustus 
Lull, township clerk; Wra. Wadsworth, treasurer; Henry Guiley, 
Jason Steele, George Shaidberger and Thomas Redson, justices of 
the peace. The list of supervisors, clerks, treasurers and justices 
of the township, from 1859 to the present time, is as follows : 

SUPERVISORS. 



Wm. L. Goulding 1859 '60 

Henry Guiley 1861 

Beth Willey. 1862-'4 

Alexander Alberti 1865-'6 



William Kremer 1867-'72 

Alexander Alberti 1873 

William Kremer 1874-'6 

Charles M. Piivineni 1877-'81 



CLERKS. 



Augustus Lull 1859-'60 

Charles D. Pattee 1861 

Augustus Lull 1863 

Henry Fugleman 1863-'64 

Henry Guiley 1865 



S. c. Munson 1866 

G. B. Wiggins 1807 

E. T. Brooks 1808 

Herman Weidmiller 1869-'81 



TREASURERS. 



Wm. Wadsworth 1859-'60 

Michael Liedlein l861-'3 

John Dietrich 1864-'o 



J. S. Winkler. 1866-'74 

J. Baumgaertner. 1874-'8 

Charles Roselind 1879-'81 



JUSTICES. 



Henry Guiley 1859 

Jason Steele 1859 

George Shaidberger 1859 

Thomas Redson. 1859 

Michael Liedlein 1860 

Augustus Lull 1860 

Henry Guiley 1860 

George Shaidberger 1861 

Peter Dean 1861 

Beth Willey 1862 

Augustus Lull 1863 

Munson 1864 

W. 11. Beach 1864 

< W. Kimball 1865 

Peter Dean 1865 

William Kremer 1866 



W. H. Beach 1867 

C. W. Kimball ]SG8 

Russell Lytle 1869 

O. J. Hetherington 1870 

Wm. H. Beach. 1871 

Miles X. Rouse 1872 

Alex. Alberti 1873 

S. C. Munson 1874 

Michael Liedlein. 1875 

Charles Payment 1876 

.Tames Boulton 1877 

James Pas3more . . .1878 

Chris. Vale 1878 

C. W. Kimball 1879 

C. W. Kimball 1880 

August Roenicke 1881 



The township officers for 1 S 8 1 are : C.~W. Payment, supervisor; 
Eermau "Weidmiller, clerk; Charles Roselind, treasurer; August 
Roenicke, James Boulton, James Passmore. C. "W. Kimball, jus- 
tices of the peace; C. M. Payment, superintendent of schools; 
Harvey Smith, commissioner of highways; George Zuckermandel, 
school inspector; Russell Lytle, township drain commissioner; 
Henry Bader, pound master, and D. B. Leroy, Henry Bader, 
Adolph Bruske, Michael Reidel, constables. 



778 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

SCHOOLS. 

There are six school buildings in the township, each located in 
the center of its district. No. 1 is situated on the southeast quar- 
ter of section 29, with sections 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, -and half of 
sections 27 and 34 forming the district. No. 2 is located on the 
southeast quarter of section 26, witli sections 25, 26, 35, 36, and 
the east half of sections 27 and 34, comprising the district. Dis- 
trict No. 3 comprises sections 15, 16, 22, 21, the southeast quarter 
of section 17, the northeast quarter of section 20, the southern 
half of sections !> and 10, and a large portion of section 23. School 
district No. 4 comprises sections 1, 2, 12, 11, and the northern 
half of sections 13 and 14. No. 5 district is formed by sections 
3* 4, 5 and the northern parts of 8, 9, and 10. District No. 6 ad- 
joins East Saginaw and comprises portions of sections 8, 17, 
'and 20. 

The number of pupils, between the ages of live and 20 years, 
is 637, of which number 417 were enrolled as attendants daring 
the year 1880. The school buildings comprise one large brick and 
live frame structures, valued at $8,450. The bonded debt on 
on school property at the end of 1880, was $2,850. There are three 
male and four female teachers employed. 

PERSONAL. 

We continue the history of Buena Yista township by presenting 
personal sketches of some of its representative citizens and 
pioneers : 

John M. Baumgarttier, farmer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
in 1832. In 1852 he accompanied his father, George M. Baum- 
gartner, to this country, locating on his present farm in the autumn 
of that year. He has materially assisted in the various improve- 
ments made in Buena Yista tp., and is a strict Republican, and a 
faithful member of the German Lutheran Church. He was mar- 
ried, in 1858, to Maggie Sacher, a native of Bavaria, where her 
father lived and died. They have 6 children.— George L., Johnnie, 
Maggie, Fred., William and Henry, all living at or near the old 
homestead. 

James Boulton was born Aug. 29, 1826, at Norfolk, England. 
In 1836 his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Boulton, located at 
Sackett's Harbor, Jeflerson Co., N. Y., where they lived and died,— 
father' Aug. 9, 1868, mother Nov. 25, 1877. In 1852 James went 
to California, overland, remained there some time and returned to 
his native State, where he was married to Miss Louisa C. Smith, 
Nov. 11, 1861, a native of Adams, Jetferson Co., N. Y. Their 
family consists of 3 children — David II., Welford G. and Mina 
L. Mr. B. is one of the stable men of Buena Yista tp., having 
held the office of Justice of the Peace for the past live years. 

Patrick Brown was born in 1830, in County Weekford, Ireland. 
His father was a farmer; he had 8 brothers and sisters, all of whom 



I'.rKXA VISTA TOWNSHIP. 779 

are dead except 2 girls, who still reside in the old country. The 
subject of this sketch and his brother James came to this country 
together, separating in New York, and they have never met since. 
Patrick sailed before the mast when but a lad 16 years old, visiting 
most of the principal ports of the old country during his calling. 
Was on coast-survey boat, when, learning that lie had been selected 
for the training ship, he deserted, having to swim some three 
miles to reach the shore. In 1849 he came to Saginaw aboard the 
old steamboat " Charter;" engaged in lumbering for a while, when 
he again returned to seafaring life. He recites many incidents of 
his shipwrecks, etc. In 1864 he was married to Catharine Lauris, 
by whom he had 2 children — Andrew and Mary. In 1868 Catha- 
rine, the wife of but a few years, was laid to rest in the family 
cemetery. Mr. B. was again married, this time to Miss Mary 
Doyle. Mr. Brown represents one of the staunch, sturdy yeo- 
manry of Saginaw county. 

James Coleman, born in Ireland in 1833; George, his brother, in 
1830. James came to this country in 1847, landing in New York 
city. After his arrival here he worked in different States and the 
Canadas until the spring of 1855, when he came to Saginaw county, 
locating his present home of 160 acres, which was then, at certain 
seasons of the year, covered entirely with water so deep that a 
yawl boat could be run over any portion of it; but hard labor has 
accomplished the desired effect, producing as fine a fertiie tract of 
land as is in the tp., of which he sold 40 acres; the remainder 
he divided with his brother George, who came to United States in 
1850, pursued different vocations until 1856, when he came to 
Saginaw and became interested with his brother. Their father 
and mother, Thomas and Mary, died in Ireland; their father's 
family consisted of 5 children — Mary, Ann, James, George and 
Elizabeth, all residing in Saginaw county. 

Peter Dean, farmer, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and 
emigrated to this country in 1848. For two years he was located 
near Detroit, Mich., but in 1850 bought his present farm of 100 
acres, and participated in the building of the first public road 
in the county. He suffered many hardships in his new home, often 
having to carry his provisions from Flint to his home on his back, 
the road being inaccessible for teams. He is independent in poli- 
tics, and always votes for the best men, irrespective of party. He 
was married in 1853 to Barbara Stoltz. They have 4 chiidren — 
Mary, John, Louise and George. The 2 former are married, 
and the 2 latter live on the farm. 

Conrad Dietrich, farmer, sec. 26, Buena Vista tp. , was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1819. He was reared amid rural 
scenes, and in 1846 emigrated to this country. He located in 
Clarion Co., Pa., but four years later came to East Saginaw, 
when Curtis Emerson's saw-mill and stage stable formed that vil- 
lage, lie was employed by Norman Little to build the first house 
in the place, and was offered, in payment for his work, two lots of 

47 



780 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Genesee avenue, now occupied by "Little Jake's Clothing Em- 
porium." Mr. D. refused this offer, and purchased a farm on sec. 
26, upon which he built a log shanty. He experienced great 
difficulty in developing his tract of land on account of its lowness, 
it being covered with water in the spring of the year of sufficient 
depth to float a canoe upon any portion of it. At present his land 
is second to none in improvements in his district. Mr. Dietrich 
says: " I am a staunch Republican, because I can't help it." He is 
also a member of the Lutheran Church. He was married in 1853 
to Dora Schenkwa, who has proven a faithful and efficient wife to 
him in the many hardships and trials of pioneer life. They have '.* 
children, 2 of whom are married and residents of Clare Co., 
Mich. 

Charles P. Hess, lumberman, residence South Saginaw, is a son 
of Peter and Orissa Hess, and was born in Oneida county, N. Y., 
Oct. 29, 1847; came to East Saginaw in 1860 and engaged in the 
drug business, but remained only six months; the. ice to South 
Saginaw, where soon after went into same business with William 
Gallaghan ; they remained together six years; then subject of sketch 
turned his attention to the lumber trade, which he still follows; is 
a member of the Greenback pnrty, and owns 200 acres of land in 
this county; was married in November, 1867, to Abbie E., daughter 
of James Burroughs, born in Huron Co., O., in 1838; 2 children are 
living— Frank B., born in November, 1869, and Nettie P., born 
Oct. 29, 1873; 1 child deceased; wife is member of Episcopal 
Church. 

A. Hilltker, one of East Saginaw's live, energetic men, was born 
in North Canada in 1839. His school days were passed at the log 
school-house of North Canada; came to Michigan in 1856, locating 
at Matamoras, where he entered into the true life of a backwoods- 
man^ locating and clearing up 80 acres of land. Of late he has 
been identified with Saginaw county in her manufacturing interests. 

C. W. Kimball was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1819. His 
early years were passed in that vicinity. In 1S37 he came to the 
southern portion of Michigan, where he passed one year, when he 
returned to his former home. He then opened a brick manufac- 
tory. In 1857 he traded his house and lot for an 80-acre tract of 
land near where he now resides. In 1858 he came to Saginaw to 
see his property, not intending to remain any length of time; after 
looking his property over he concluded to try farming, and with 
that in view, he purchased his present home of 160 acres, then in 
its wild state. By perseverance and hard labor he has succeeded 
in developing the then wilds into a fine fertile farm. In 1840 was 
married to Miss Clarissa Reed, of Rochester, N. Y ; by this union 
he has had 8 children, 4 of whom are living. In 1860 a kind 
mother was laid to rest. In 1875 he was married to Mrs. Amanda 
Kent (nee Wardsworth), of Lewiston, N. Y. Mrs. Kent's family 
consisted of 2 daughters, 1 married and living near Cleveland, O. 
Mr. Kimball is a man that takes a great interest in the educational 



BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP. 7S1 

interests of his community; has been School Director six years as 
well as Justice of the Peace of his tp. 

11'//?. Kramer was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1828; he 
is a brickmaker by trade. In 1852 he came to this country, land- 
ing at Quebec, from which place he came to East Saginaw, where 
he worked in grist and planing mill some 10 years, when he bought 
his present home, which he has cleared and improved in good man- 
ner. Mr. K. is one of Buena Vista's most influential citizens, 
having held the office of Supervisor nine years. Justice of Peace 
nine years. Road Commissioner six years, School Director seven 
years. He was married in Mecklenburg, 1S52, to Sophia Zwerk. 
His children are — Edward, Emma, George, Minnie, Arthur and 
Bertie. In 1861, at the first call for three-months' men, he re- 
sponded to the call and was elected Captain. 

Michael J. Leidlein, one of Buena Vista's oldest and most 
respected citizens, was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 15, 1827. 
His education was gained there at a school similar to the common 
schools of this country. As soon as lie was old enough he was left 
upon his own resources; his first business was that of rope-making, 
which occupation he followed until the year 1847, when he em- 
barked for America, landing in New York, Nov. S; from New York 
he came to Syracuse, where he remained one winter, at which 
place one of his brothers was drowned. In the spring of 1848 set 
forth for the A T alley of the Saginaw; upon arriving here they pro- 
cured the services of a surveyor to pilot them to their new home in 
Blumfield. Not a road nor even trail was made at that time. East 
Saginaw comprising but a few cabins. In 1852 he sold the 
farm he first located upon in Blumfield tp. and purchased the 
property on which he now resides in Buena Vista tp.; here he 
built a saw-mill, it being the first in the tp. In the spring 
of 1S65, while away procuring men for the army, his mill was 
set on fire, entailing a loss of over $7,000. Not disheartened, 
he set about with his accustomed energy to rebuild; in about three 
months the mill was again running. In 1866 the project of a plank 
road from Saginaw to Vassar was agitated. Mr. L., seeing the 
benefit of such an enterprise, lent it his aid, securing the build- 
ing of the road, over which, for the past five years, he has 
been President. In 1854 was married to Miss Dora Meyers, a 
native of Bavaria, Germany, her parents emigrating to this coun- 
try at an early day. Their family consists ot 8 children — Freder- 
icka, married to Mr. Martin Messner; Barbara, married to Mr. 
John Weber, of East Saginaw; Maggie, married to Mr. Christian 
Jacekel, residing in Dubuque, Iowa; John, a young man of ster- 
ling integrity, respected by all; John George, Caroline, Mary and 
John Karl. Mr. L. has retired from active labor, allowing those 
who come after to reap a rich reward from the broad acres which 
cost him years of toil and privation. Has held nearly all the 
positions of trust in his tp. — that of Justice of the Peace for the 
past 20 years. Mr. L. has been identified with all public enterprises 



782 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

which in his good judgment would advance the interests of his 
community. Open-hearted, frank, and fearless to express his 
opinion, he is one of Buena Yista's most influential citizens. 

His portrait appears on page 363. 

Mrs. Chloe Melrose was born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio; 
her father, Wm. Jones, a well-known citizen of that place, came to 
this State in 1853, residing for seven years at Ypsilanti. In 1863 
she was married to Marshal J. Franklin, of Cleveland, Ohio. He 
died in 1870, leaving .2 sons — George T. and Franklin J. In 
1871 she moved to this county, locating at her present home, sec. 
17. In 1875 she was married to Chas. A. Melrose, a lumberman of 
considerable note in this county, who was born in Quebec, C. E. 
Mrs. Melrose's home is pleasantly located on Crow Island road, 
about one-half mile from East Saginaw city limits. She is a 
lady of energy and culture, which her home attests. 

George L. Meyer, farmer, and one of the most worthy citizens of 
Buena Vista tp., was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1827. He emi- 
grated to the United States in 1848, and the first four years of his 
residence here worked in a saw-mill. His earnings saved accumu- 
lated sufficiently to enable him to buy a small farm in the new 
tp. of Buena Yista, and subsequent additions have increased it to 
120 acres. Mr. Meyer was married in 1851 to Catherine Eidle- 
man, a daughter of a pioneer settler of Buena Vista tp. They have 
3 children living. 

Samuel O. Munson was born in Bainbridge, N. Y., Aug. 2, 
1S00. His father, Moses, was born in Litchfield, Conn., a soldier 
of the Revolutionary war. His mother was Miss Julia Cornwall, 
a native of Wales. Moses' family consisted of 2 boys and 3 
girls. Samuel passed his early school days in his birth-place. At 
17 years of age he started to the Territory of Michigan, passing 
through Buffalo and Cleveland, which then contained, the former 
12 buildings and the latter 7. Arriving in Detroit in June, 1817, 
he engaged in trading with the Indians. In 1819 he came to 
Saginaw to the treaty made by Governor Cass, held at the fort, 
located where the Taylor House now stands. In 1818 his brother Asa 
and Otis Fisher, a Lieutenant in the army, built the first water saw- 
mill probably in the Territory. " Uncle Harvey Williams," then 
a blacksmith in Detroit, made the iron crank to the saw-mill, which 
weighed 150 pounds, he receiving for his labor 50 cts. per lb. In 
1824 he left Detroit and came to the town of Orion, Oakland Co., 
and built a saw-mill on Paint creek. 

In 1830 he moved to Pontiac with Eurotas Hastings, President 
of the Bank of Michigan; bought Pontiac Mill Co.'s entire property; 
also entered into the mercantile business. In four years he went 
into partnership with Robert Leroy, now living at Fentonville, 
Genesee Co., Mich. In 1S31 Mr. Hastings and himself built 
the first steam saw-mill in the State, situated eight miles north of 
Pontiac. In 1S3S Samuel moved to Fentonville and built a flouring 
mill in company with Mr. Leroy. In 1840 a large party from 



Bl KNA VISTA TOWNSHIP. 783 

Fentonville went to Fort Meigs, to Harrison's celebration. About 
1841 he moved to Groveland, Oakland Co., where he bought the 
tavern property of B. C. Whitmore, starting a line of mail stages 
to the town of Shiawassee. 

In 184:3 he rented his property to Capt. David Lyon and re- 
turned to Pontiac, going into a hotel there known as the " Pontiac 
Place." In 1S45 he returned to his property in Groveland, re- 
mained there until 1848, bought the Genesee House at Flint and 
moved there. In 1850 he was engaged in helping to build the 
plank road from Flint to Saginaw, in company with a Mr. Doan; 
in 1853 moved to East Saginaw, and opened a hotel known as the 
u Valley House," there being only five or six houses in the town 
at that time. In 1855 he went into the Kir by House, where he 
remained until 1861, when he moved upon the farm where he now 
lives. 

George M. Richer, farmer, was born in the Province of New 
Brunswick in 1S12. His father, Martin Bicker, a native of Ger- 
many, emigrated at an early day to New Brunswick, where he became 
a large land-owner. George M. is the youngest of a family of 8 
children, and was formerly engaged in milling and the lumber 
business. In 1851 he removed to this county, and worked at the 
carpenter's trade and at lumbering until he has accumulated a snug 
competency. He has always been prominently identified in all 
public improvements. He was married in 1838 to Mary Ann 
French, by whom he had 1 daughter, Charlotte R. Mrs. Bicker 
died in 1845, and in 1851 he married Elizabeth Davis, of New 
York. They have 2 children — Bertha, wife of Wells A. Barrett, a 
farmer residing near East Saginaw, and Fred, a student at the 
East Saginaw public schools. 

Charles Roseland, son of Christopher and Dora Boseland, was 
born in Mecklenburg, German}', in 1842; in 1857 they emigrated 
to the United States, coming direct to Saginaw county, where he 
engaged as clerk in a confectionery establishment, with the pur- 
pose of learning the trade; but the death of his employer de- 
feated this project, and he entered the hardware store of E. B. 
Burkhardt, where he remained over 12 years. In 1867 he 
married Miss Caroline Schrem, a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, where her father died. In 1853 the widow with her 
family sought a home in this country, stopping in Detroit until 
1855, when she hired teams to convey her to the Saginaw Valley, 
paying $25 for the same, and $30 more for teams to assist 
in pulling them out of the mud on their route. At last the 
desired goal was reached; but one privation after another en- 
countered them, having to grind their corn in a coffee-mill to 
make their "Johnny-cake." In 1873 Charles and wife commenced 
on their farm to make a home; where then stood the giants of the 
forest, now stand as fine improvements as can be found in the 
tp. Mr. R. has held different positions of trust in his tp. ; 
is in his second term as Tp. Treasurer; is one of the oldest 



784 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

members of the Workingmen's Association, having- acted as 
Treasurer for some 12 years. His family consists of 3 children — 
Alfred, Caroline and Louisa. 

■ Geo. Schaiiberger was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1819; his 
father, Andre, was a business man of Kotzoltzburg; he also owned 
a farm near the village, which his son George controlled until he was 
compelled to enter the German army, where he remained six years; 
at the expiration of his term of service he returned to his old 
canton and bought a farm, where he remained holding the position 
of Squire until the eventful year of 1817, when occurred the German 
Rebellion, he being one of the principal actors in his portion of the 
canton against the Government; the Rebellion was speedily put 
down, when he was compelled to flee for life, leaving friends, 
home and property, taking his only child, a baby girl. His friends 
stole him aboard a vessel, lie carrying his babe rolled up in an over 
coat under his arm; the soldiers in the meantime were scouring 
the country endeavoring to accomplish his arrest; but a short time 
elapsed until the vessel was under way, and then a heart beat with 
happiness to know that ere long he could claim the protection of 
the freeman's flag. Arriving in Baltimore without incident, he spent 
some three and one half years in Western Pennsylvania, when he 
started for Saginaw, arriving here in 185<>, bringing with him the 
second horse team in East Saginaw; squatted on a piece of land 
about the center of what is now known as East Saginaw; built here 
a shanty and engaged in carrying passengers from that point to 
Flint. In 1851 bought a quarter of sec. 26 and moved upon it, it 
being a thorough wilderness, on which he has laid the foundation 
for one of the most fertile farms in that section. In 1817 he mar- 
ried Mary Barbara Bair, who died 11 months after, leaving the 
infant girl Katie heretofore spoken of. In Pennsylvania he again 
married, this time Miss Elizabeth Leitel, a native of Bavaria, by 
whom he had 8 children — John, Maggie, Leonard, John, Michael, 
Caroline, Lizzie and Conrad; 4 of these are married and residing 
in Saginaw county. In 1869 his second wife died; in 1878 he 
was again married, to Mrs. Kate Steinert, by whom, he has 1 
child, George. 

Harvey Smith was born in Rome, N". Y., in 1825. His father, 
Samuel, was a native of New York. In 1826 he emigrated to the 
then Territory of Michigan, locating in Oakland county, where he 
was known to be one of its leading and most respected citizens. 
His mother was Lucinda, nee Fox, of Rome, N. Y. Harvey 
passed his early days at the old homestead. Having a desire to see 
what he had often read of other places, he shipped as a sailor for a 
number of years. In 1S48 he permanently located in East Sagi- 
naw, there being but a few houses in what now comprises the 
above-named city; engaged in numerous vocations; he finally 
bought a steamboat, which he commanded. Twenty years ago he 
located on his present farm, to which calling he has given his prin- 
cipal attention of later years. In 1853 he was married to Miss 



BUEKA VISTA T0WN8HIP. 785 

Caroline Grant, of Steuben Co., N. Y. Her father, Andrew Grant, 
was one of the old and respected citizens of this county. Their 
family consists of 2 children — Nellie M., who is married and 
resides near the old homestead, and Edna May, who is with her 
parents. 

Herman Weidemiller, farmer, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 
L832. After arriving at the age of 20 years he became so favorably 
impressed with the idea of the American system of government 
that be resolved to make the United States his future home. He 
landed at the port of New York in the spring of 1852, and after 
remaining in Massachusetts two years, came to this county, locating 
in Blumfield tp., it taking him three days to reach that place from 
East Saginaw, distant only eight miles. In 1862 he enlisted in 
the 23d Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and at the close of the war established 
a bakery at East Saginaw, where he remained one year, and then 
bought his present farm. He is a Democrat, and in 1879 was 
elected Tp. Clerk, which position he still holds. He was married 
in Massachusetts in 1852, to Edonia Fiedler. 

George Zuckermandel, farmer, sec. 29, was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, in 1821. He was reared on a farm, and in 1854 came to 
New York city, and immediately to Saginaw county, locating upon 
his present farm. Mr. Z. was in limited circumstances when he 
commenced life, but by working hard and earnestly, night and day, 
has succeeded in possessing a good farm and a comfortable home. 
In 1S54 he married Margaret Pardner, who has borne him 4 chil- 
dren — Andrew, Anna, Stephen and Margaretta. Mr. Z. is a 
member of the Lutheran Church. 




CARROLLTON TOWNSHIP. 

This township was organized under authority given by the Board 
of Supervisors, Jan. 4, 1866, and the first town meeting was 
held April 2, the same year. Charles E. Gillett was elected Super- 
visor; Archibald Baird, Clerk; Martin Stoker, Treasurer; Fred S. 
C. Ross, Reuben Crowell, E. F. Gould and FredGoesman, Justices 
of the Peace. The order to organize was passed in the following 
form : 

It appearing to the Board of Supervisors that application has been made, and 
that notice thereof has been signed, posted up, and published, as in the manner 
required by law, and having duly considered the matter of said application, 

The Board order and enact that the territory described in said application, 
bounded as follows, to-wit: all that part of the township of Saginaw, lying north 
and east of the following boundaries, to-wit: beginning at the northwest corner 
of Saginaw City; thence running west on the protraction of the north line of 
Saginaw City to the center of section sixteen (16); thence north on the quarter 
line of section sixteen (10), nine (9) and lour (4) to the north line of said town- 
ship of Saginaw; and also including that portion of said township lying east of 
Saginaw City and the Saginaw river, known as the village of Florence, be, and 
the same is, hereby erected into a township, to b3 called and known by the name 
of the township of Carrollton. 

The first annual township meeting thereof shall be held at the school- 
house in the village of Carrollton on the first Monday in April, A. D. 18GG, the polls 
to be open during the hours required by law, and at said meeting, Charles E. 
Gillett, Christian Ulrich and James Barrenger, three electors of said township, 
shall be the persons whose duty it shall be to preside at such meeting, appoint a 
clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same' powers as the inspectors 
of elections at any township meeting, as the law provides. 

The names of township officers from 1866 to the present time 
are thus given : 

SUPERVISORS. 

Charles E. Gillett-18Gf5 | J. Elisha Winder. . . . 1871 | Martin Stoker. . . 1872-'81 
Reuben Crowell.. 1867-'70 | 

CLERKS. 

Archibald Baird..l866 | Harlan P. Lvon..l868-'72 | Bart'm'w Griffin.. .187-T81 
Alexander Reid. .1867 | James Ure. .* 1873 | 

TREASURERS. 

Martin Stoker. . .1866-'71 I Thomas J.Xorris.l873-'75 I Miles W. Gaffney.1880 
Charles F. Bunton 1872 | Camille Marcotte.l876-'70 | Camille Marcotte.1881 



CARROLLTON TOWNSHIP. 



787 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Frederick S. C. Ross 1866--T59 

Reuben Crowell 1866-'68 

K F. Gould 1866-67 

Frederick Goesman 1860 

Harlan P. Lyon 18B7-'68 

Charles F. Bunton 1868-'71 

Charles Collison 1868-'69 

George W. Hardy 1869-'76 

John Goodson 1870 '73 

Victor E. Robinson 1871-'74 

Eugene T. Smith (to till vacancy).1871 



William Collison 1872-'3 

Eugene T. Smith 1872-'73 

William J. Sunderland 1874-'77 

Eugene T. Smith 1875-'78 

William H. Devany 1877-'80 

Benj. Samuels (to fill vacancy. . .1877 
James Besl (never qualified) 

John Burr 1879-'82 

C. M. Hurlburt (to fill vacancy) 1879-'81 

Ezra J. Demorest 1881-'84 

Wm. J. Cameron (to fill vacancy)1881-'? 



C URROLLTON VILLAGE. 

As early as 1835 the site of the present village of Carrollton was 
entered by Judge Carroll; but not until 1860 did the place give 
promise of its present importance. The population of the village 
proper is S25; that of the township 912, giving a total population 
of 1,737. As recently as 1868 the inhabitants of the entire town- 
ship did not number over 600 souls. It will therefore appear that 
the advance of this division of the county has been compara- 
tively rapid. 

The schools and Churches of Carrollton are well administered; 
the manufacturing interests extensive, and the prospects for the 
future of both township and village exceptionally good. 

The village was organized in lsp>9. with Cieo E. Dutton Presi- 
dent; A. T. Driggs, Clerk, and Thomas J. O'Flanagan, Treasurer. 
The list of village officers since organization is as follows: 



PRESIDENTS. 



George E. Dutton 1869-'71 

Harlan P.Lyon..: 1872 

James Pre 1873-'4 

Eugene T. Smith 1875-'7 



Jonathan S. Doe 1878 

Eujjene T. Smith 1879 

William Biard 1880-'si 



CLERKS. 



Anson T. Driggs 1869 

Charles F. Bunion 1870-'9 



John N. Brenuen 1880 

Robert J. Abbs ...1881 



I'KKASL RHUS. 



Thomas J. O'Flanagan 1869 

Peter Kramer 1870-' 1 

Eugene T. Smith 1872-'3 



Anthony Byrne 1874 

Frederick Wolpert 1875-'81 



788 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



TRUSTEES. 



1869. 

Robert F. Higgins, 
.lames Ure, 
James Crawford, 
Joseph Hall, 
James Be&t 
Victor E. Robinson. 

1870. 
Harlan P. Lyon, 
Peter Kramer, 
Hezekiah 0. Fenno, 
David M. Lewis, 
Robert Abbs, 
Victor E. Robinson. 

1871'. 
Eugene T. Smith, 
James Best, 
Thomas J. O'Flanigan, 
John B. Brown, 
James Apwill, 
Jehu Burr. 

1872. 
Thomas J. O'Flanigan, 
Edwin Laohbrook, 



Peter Kramer, 
Joseph B. Foster, 
James Ure, 
Charles Grant. 

1873. 
Eugene T. Smith, 2 yrs. , 
Patrick Dougherty, 2 yrs., 
William Bierd, 2 yrs., 
James Crawford , 
George Smith, 
Charles Grant. 

1874. 
Louis Tart, 2 yrs,. 
Thomas J. O'Flanigan 

2yrs, 
John Cheesbro, 2 yrs. 

1875. 
John McKay, 2 yrs, 
Charles C. Wethy, 2 yrs, 
John Derr, 2 yrs. 

1876. 
William Bierd, 2 yrs., 
Leander Tart, 2 yrs . , 



Byron B. Corbin 2 yrs. 

1877. 
John McKay, 
Alexander McDonald. 
William 11. Devany, 

1878. 
Jehu Burr J f 

Charles Cook, 
William Bierd. 

1879. 
CassiusM. Hurlburt, 
John Lavine," 
James Best. 

*" 1880 ^ ~ 
Andrew Fitzgerald, 
Joseph Palmer, 
Charles C. Wethy. 

""1881. ~~~ 
William Cameron. 
Abraham Wood, 
James O'Brien. 



MAN UFACTUBING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



Among the manufacturing industries r of the Valley, those of 
Carrollton hold a high place. From the following sketches of the 
more important mills and salt works of the village and township, 
it will be evident that enterprise not only exists in a high form, 
but also gives promise of continued advance. 

Le Due & Fenneifs Oar Factory. — The factory building, erected 
in 1877, is two stories in height, 40x130 feet, with wing 20x40 feet. 
The total cost of building and machinery is set down at $30,000. 
The lumber used is white ash; the length of the oars varies from 
6 to. 26 feet, principally from 12 to 18 feet. There are over 
1,000,000 feet of oars sent into the market annually, 250,000 of 
which are marketed in the United States and 750,000 in foreign 
countries. 

LeDuc de Fenneifs Salt Works. — The salt works in connection 
with the oar factory are supplied from four wells, each 777 feet 
deep. The tubing blocks, etc., were refitted and rebuilt in 1878-'9, 
comprising seven cisterns of a capacity of 125 barrels each; two 
settlers each 8x6x115 feet; four grainers 12x135 feet each; one 
1x8x100 feet; and one pan 12x100 feet. The salt block is a two- 
and-one-half-story building, 88x190 feet, with a total capacity of 
325 barrels per day. The storage shed is 26x100 feet, with bins 
capable of containing 8,500 barrels. Two railroad tracks enter 
the yard. 

LeDuc & Fenneifs Shingle Mill, was built in 1878. The 
structure is 20x40 feet; it contains three machines, which cut 



CARROLLTON TOWNSHIP. 789 

15,000,000 Bhingles per annum. The saw-mill, in connection with 
the oar factory, lias a capacity of 8, 000, 000 feet oflumber per season. 

The works extend over 20 acres, with 2,Q00 feet river frontage, 
and give employment to 125 men. The engines are 18x24, 16x20 
and L2x lti feet. The company operate an oar factory ami circular- 
saw mill at Breckenridge, Gratiot Co., which was purchased in 
1880. The first premium for the best oar was awarded to LeDuc 
A; Fenneybythe commissioners of the Paris Exhibition of L867. 

Sanborn & Bliss* Sato-Mill was built in 1879 and opened in 
L880. The building is 50x120 feet, with wing 50x30, and engine 
room 80x60. The cost of building is estimated at $3,000; that of 
machinery at $4,000; capacity of mill, 14,000,000 feet lumber, 

50,000 headings, 2, ,000 lath, and 800,000 staves per year. 

This industry gives employment to .'!:'» men. 

There arc three salt wells, — the first 763 feet deep, the second 
bored in 1879, 760 feet deep, and the third, bored in "1880, 760 
feet in depth. There are six cisterns, of 125 barrels each. The 
salt block is 120x80 feet; two settlers 8x12x120 feet, grainers 
11x120 feet, storage shed 80x60 feet, and annual product 50,000 
barrels. This branch of Sanborn cv; Bliss' business gives employ- 
ment to nine men. The works stand on 115 acres, with 1,300 feet 
river frontage. There were on hand in June, 1881, 6,000,000 feet 
of lumber. 

T. Jerome dc CoSs Saw-Mill was erected in 1868, at a cost of 
$3,500. It is a two-story building 44x150 feet, with engine-house 
50x60 feet. The machinery is valued at $25,000, including seven 
boilers 4x16 feet. The annual product is 12,000,000 feet lumber 
and 800,000 staves. 

Their first salt well was bored in 1871 to a depth of 750 feet, 
the second in 1879, and the third in 1880. The salt block is 
75x200 feet, with seven cisterns of an aggregate capacity of 900 
barrels. 

The works stand on 17§ acres, with railroad track and storage 
sheds for 10,000 barrels of salt. The company employ 75 men. 

E. F. Gould's Saw-Mill was built in 1862-'3 ; is 75x121 feet, 
with fire room 30x40 feet, and engine-room 12x20 feet. The 
buildings and machinery are valued at -$20,000. The annual 
capacity of the mill is 11,000,000 feet lumber, 1,500,000 lath, 
600,000 staves, and 43,000 headings, giving employment to 4<> 
then. 

Their first salt well was bored in 1875, the second in 1877, each 
reaching a depth of 700 feet. There are four cisterns of 125 bar- 
rels each: the salt block is $6x196 feet, containing every requisite 
for the manufacture of salt. The storage sheds have a capacity of 
4,000 barrels; the cooper shop, in connection with the works, turns 
out 24,000 barrels per year. The number of men employed is 15. 
The works stand on 15 acres, with ii4<> feet river frontage. 

//. A. Tilden?8 Salt Work*. — The first well was bored in 1865 to 
a depth of 730 feet. The buildings comprise a block 4<>xl20 feet; 
live cisterns of an aggregate capacity of 600 barrels, with all the 



790 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



machinery known in first-class works. The block stands on three 
acres, witli 600 feet river frontage; give employment to 10 men. 
The manufacture of salt is carried on here under the direction of 
James Reilly, manager. 

W. B. MershonSs Saw-Mill was built in 1871. The structure 
and the machinery are valued at $25,000. Apart from the main 
building, which is 96x10 feet, there is a wing 96x10 feet, a box 
factory 80x60 feet, an engine-room 16x30 feet. The custom plan- 
ing mill possesses an extensive patronage, shipping 250 car loads 
during the year 1880; of boxes there were 200 car loads shipped. 

Their first salt well was bored in 1879, to a depth of 730 feet. 
In connection with the salt block, which is 80x50 feet, are two cis- 
terns and one large settler, with a capacity of 13,000 barrels 
annually. The works stand on three acres of ground, and give 
employment to 60 men. 

J. W. Perriii's Shingle Mill was built in 1871. It is a two- 
story building 50x80 feet, supplied with modern machinery, and is 
valued at $8,000. It produces 12,000,000 shingles annually. 

This first salt well was bored Feb. 1, 1880, 'to a depth of 725 
feet. The salt block, then erected, is 80x150 feet, with four cis- 
terns of an aggregate capacity ot 500 barrels. The actual product 
is 15,000 barrels of salt per annum, all shipped in bulk. The 
works stand on three acres, and give employment to 27 men. 




I 1IAIMN TOWNSHIP. 

This township occupies the southwestern corner of the county, and, 
with the 12 adjoining sections in Gratiot county, forms a Congres- 
sional township of 36 sections. The Chapin postofh'ce is located 
in section 35. The head-waters of Bad river may be said to 
rise in this township. Pine creek and its tributary streamlets 
form the principal water-courses of the district. Lamb and Gould 
creeks are in the northeastern sections. 

There are a few old farms in the township. Within the last 
half decade a number of industrious agriculturists have been added 
t<> the population, which now reaches 046, according to the census 
returns of Juno, 1SS0. Within the past 12 months a few settlers 
have made their locations there, so that it is presumed by the res- 
idents that the actual population exceeds 700. 

The question of organizing this fractional township began to be 
agitated immediately after the close of the war. The small band 
of settlers then residing there petitioned the county board to erect 
the 24 southwestern sections of the county into a township to be 
named " Chapin." The motion to organize was supported by 24 
members of the board, and opposed by one; so that the following 
order to organize was made Oct. 10, 1866: 

It appearing to the Board of Supervisors that application has been made, and 
that notice thereof has beeu signed, posted up and published, as in the manner 
required by law, and having duly considered the matter of said application, the 
board order and enact that the territory described in said application, bounded as 
follows, to-wit : fractional township 9 north of range least, be,and the same is, 
hereby erected into a township to be called and known by the name of the town- 
ship of Chapin. 

The first annual township meeting thereof shall be held at Joseph Taylor's 
house on section 14, on the first Monday in April, A. D. 1867, at nine o'clock in 
tlie forenoon, and at said meeting Ferdinand F. Smith, Austin Chapin and Joseph 
Ci. Taylor, three electors of said township, shall be the persons whose duty it shall 
be to preside at such meeting, appoint a clerk, to open and keep the polls. 

The order took effect in April, 1867, and the first township meet- 
ing was carried out with due regard to the formalities prescribed by 
the law in such cases. The municipal affairs of Chapin have been 
zealously guarded since that time, and every effort made by the 
local legislators to advance the position and prosperity of their 
constituents. The present township officers are: John IVEcChristian, 
Supervisor; Edgar W. Winter, Clerk; Morris S. Brown, Treasurer; 
W. ( ). Wilson, David Van Bell, Austin Chapin and Gilbert Smith, 
Justices; Wm. Murlin, School Superintendent; Chris. Roebacher, 
School Inspector; Barney Hopee, Road Commissioner; Jesse Hall, 
Drain Commissioner; Walter Brown, Constable. This election was 
held at BelTs Corners, or Chapin, near the postoffice. Joseph Tay- 
lor, the oldest settler, was present. 

(791) 



792 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNT!'. 



There are four schools in this fractional township. 



PATENTEES OF THE LANDS. 



The original purchasers of the public lands of this township 
were not resident proprietors as a rule. In the following list of 
those who entered the United States lands, the names of non-resi- 
dents as well as residents are given: 



Chester lngalls, sec. 1, Dec. 19, 1831 
John 0. Morrill, sec. 1. Nov. 23, 1854. 
Miles C Newton, sec 1, Nov. 23, 1854. 
Gideon Lee, sec. 1, Dec 24, 1836 
Chester lngalls, sec 2, Dec. 19, 1836. 
Philander R. Howe, sec. 2, Dec. 19, 

1836, and Jan, 17, 1837. 
Volney Chapin, sec. 2, Nov. 23, 1853. 
James Clark, sec. 2, July 25, 1855. 
D & M. R. R., sec 3, June 3, 1863. 
A. L. & T. B. R. R., sec. 3, June 3, 1863. 
Abram Stevens, sec. 4, Nov. 9, 1866. 
Volney Chapin, sec. 4, Nov. 23,1853. 
James B. Moore, sec. 4, Dec. 10, 1867. 
Amos Gould, sec. 4, May 31, 1872. 
Volney Chapin, sec. 5, Nov. 23. 1853. 
Nicholas H. Setts, sec. 8, Jan. 26, 1865, 

and Feb. 2, 1866. 
O. A. Clarke sec 8, Jan 26, 1835. 
Volney Chapin, sec 9, May 8, 1854. 
D. & M R R., sec 9, June 3, 1863. 
A. L. & T. B. R. R., sec 9, June 3, 1863. 
Volney Chapin, sec 9, Nov 23, 1853. 
Alfred S. Gibson, sec 9, Aug 14, 1876. 
Steven V. R. Trowbridge, sec 10, Dec 

20, 1836 
Amos Gould, sec 10, July 1, 1871 
Lemuel BrowQ, sec 11, May 16, 1837 
Volney Chapin, sec 11, Nov 23, 1853 
Steven V. R. Trowbridge, sec 11, Dec 

20, 1836 
A. L & T. B. R. R., sec 11, Feb 4, 1861 
Gideon Lee, sec 12, Dec 24, 1836 
Elijah Taylor, sec 12, Aug 4, 1856 
Henry H Putnam, sec 12, Nov 21, 1872 
Barnard Hoppe, sec 12, May 31, 1876 
Gottleib Kohler, sec 12, May 26, 1877 
Gideon Lee, sec 13, Dec 24, 1836 
Robert E. Craven, sec 13, April 1, 1854 
John M. Gordon, sec 13, Dec 20, 1836 
Neh. P. Peavy, sec 14, May 8, 1856 
J. R. Van Dusen, sec 14, Oct 23, 1860 
Joseph G. Taylor, sec 14, April 26, 1856 
Amos Gould, sec 14, May 25, 1872 
John M. Gordon, sec 14, Dec 20, 1836 



Gideon Lee, sec 14, Dec 24, 1836 
Nathaniel Merrill, sec 14, April 1, 1854 
Stephen V. R Trowbridge, sec 15, Dec 

20, 1836 
D. & M. R. R , sec 17, June 3, 1863 
A. L. & T. B. R. R, sec 17, June 3, 

1883 
John M. Gordon, sec 20, Dec 20, 1836 
John M. Gordon, sec 21, Dec 20, 1836 
Gideon Lee, sec 21, Dec 24, 1836 
John M. Gordon, sees 22 and 23, Dec 

20, 1836 
Gideon Lee, sec 23, Dec 24, 1836 
T. Mayburry, sec 23, March 16, 1855 
John McNeil, sec 24, March 16, 1S37 
Archibald Haynian, sec 24, July 3, 1855 
Philip Gleason, sec 24, Jan 9, 1855 
A. K. Cogswell, sec 25, Oct 25, 1*54 
John Ford, sec 25, Jan 9, 1855 
Philip G. Walter, sec 25, April 25, 1.856 
William Adams, sec 26, Jan 29, 1851 
Wm, B. Yawger, sec 26, Oct 22, 1854 
J. Somers, sec 27, June 19 and 23, 1855 
Freeman F. Peree, sec 27, Oct 10 and 

Nov 18, 1854 
Emanuel Rich, sec 28, June 39, 1855 
G. W. Hamilton, sec 28, Dec 18, 1855 
Robert Harter, sec 28, June 16, 1866 
Hiram Burch, sec 28, June 16, is.-).-) 
John L. Lewis, sec 28, July 25, 1855- 
Miles Main, sec 28, July 25, 1855 
Isaac Harris, sec 28, Oct 27, 1875 

D. & M. R. R., sec 29, June 3, 1863 

A. L. & T. B. R. R, sec 29, June 3, 1863 
David E. Evans, sec 32, June 27, 1836 
John G. Ireland, sec 33, June 7, 1836 
Gideon Lee, sec 34, Dec 24, 1836 
G. D. Williams, sec 35, Aug 25, 1836 

E. S. Williams, sec 35, Aug 25, 1836 
James Fraser, sec 35, Aug 25, 1836 
Norman Little, sec 35, Aug 25, 1836 
Charles H. Carroll, sec 35, Atig 25, 1836 
William T. Carroll, sec 35, Aug 25, 1836 
Gideon Lee, sec 35, Dec 24, 1836 
John L Ireland, sec 36, June 7, 1836 



The settlers, both old and new, are as industrious as they are 
affable. Perhaps in no part of the State can the pioneer of 50 
years ago find a better living remembrancer of his early days than 
in this township. A little community of genial hearts, bound 
together by a solidarity of interests as well as true friendship, exists 



( ll.M'IN TOWNSHIP. 793 

there, to tell the traveler, as it were, that there is one corner of the 
world, at least, free from the heavy cares which weigh upon more 
ambitious and older settlers. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

D'vid Y. Bel!, second son of George and Asenath (Clapp) Bell, 
was bom in Cuyahoga Co., O., Jan. 10, 1*42, of Irish and English 
ancestry. I Lis first occupation was sailing on the lakes two years. 
He next worked on the Ohio canal five or six years. In the fall of 
I860 he engaged in farming, at which he continued until All*. 12, 
1861, when he enlisted at Cleveland, O., in Co. B, 2d O. Cav. , 
under Capt. Smith, and served in the Western army. He was dis- 
charged Dec. 12, 1865, and returned to Ohio, and the following 
spring he came to Chapin tp. and bought $0 acres of land on sec. 
35, 70 of which are under cultivation. He was married in Chapin 
tp.. Dec. 25, 1867, to Calista A., daughter of Steward and Margaret 
(Bonsteel) Thompson, born in Summit Co., O., Aug. 2, 1S4S. 
They have 6 children, all born in Chapin tp. — Charles H., born 
March 30, 1870; Ella M., born Dec. 10, 1871; Daisy A., born 
Oct. 21, 1871; George S., born July 26, 1876; Clyde H., born 
July 6, 1S78, and James C., born Jan. 29, 1881. Mr. Bell has 
been Commissioner one year, Justice of the Peace six years, and 
School Superintendent one year. Himself and wife are members of 
the Disciples of Christ. 

Ferdinand F. Smith, third son of John B. and Annie (Hardy) 
Smith, was barn in Sullivan Co., N. Y., May 6, 1813, of English 
and German ancestry. When four years of age his parents moved 
to Sussex Co., N. J., where they remained until he was 20 years of 
age, when he removed to Niagara Co., N. Y., and remained until 
the summer of 1857. He then removed to Ingham Co., Mich., 
where he resided until 1864, when he came to Chapin tp. and 
purchased 36(>]acres of land on sees. 13 and 14. He was married 
in Niagara Co., N. Y., May 11, 1843, to Clarissa, daughter of 
Timothy and Polly (Kinney) Baird, born in Niagara Co., N. Y. 
They have 2 children, born in Niagara Co. — Gilbert A. and Will- 
iam J. Mr. Smith has been Township Treasurer three years and 
Justice of the Peace 11 years. He was burned out in 1871, 
loss estimated at S2,00<>. Mr. Smith and wife are connected with 
the United Brethren Church and he is a Democrat. 

William B. Taylor, second son of Joseph G. and Almira 
I Brundage) Taylor, was born in Adams Co., Ind., Sept. 12, 1841. 
His father was born June 25, 1812, of English and German ancestry. 
Eie mother was born in Now York Dec. 23, 1807. When six 
months old his parents removed to Yates county, and then to Che- 
mung county, where they resided until he was 11 years of age. In the 
summer of 1855 he came with parents to Chapin tp. Hepnrchased 
40 acres of land on sec. 14, since when he has purchased 40 acres 



791 



HISTOKY OF SAGINAW COUNTY 



adjoining, 30 of which are under cultivation. He was married in 
Chapin tp., Dec. 3, 1865, to Sarah E., daughter of James and 
Aurora S. (Rising) Hervey, horn at Manchester, Yt., July 9, 
1850. They have 4 children, born in Chapin tp. — Ida M., born 
Sept. 10, 1866; William B., born June 29, 1871; Charles C, born 
Dec. 11, 1874, and Maude, born Aug. 11, 1877. In politics Mr. 
Taylor is a Republican and himself and wife are members of the 
Disciple Church. At the time of the Chicago fire he lost $50o 
worth of farming tools, buildings, etc. Joseph G. Taylor, his 
father, has 40 'acres of land, on sec. 1. 




CHESA N I N < i TOWNSHIP. 

In 1847 congressional township 9 north, ranges 1, 2, 3 and 4 
east, was organized as one township by the board of Supervisors of 
Saginaw county, and named Northampton township. The first 
election was held in April of that year, at which time Wm. Smith 
was elected Supervisor and Justice of the Peace; Rufus P. Mason, 
Clerk; and L. Stevens, Treasurer. In 1853 the name of the town- 
ship of Northampton was changed to " Chesaning," an Indian 
word signifying "Big Rock." Jan. 10, 1856, township 9 north, 
ranges 1 and 2 east, was set of by the Board of Supervisors and 
called Brady township, and Jan. 1, 1857, township 9 north, range 
4 east, was set off and named Maple Grove township. So that now 
the territory comprising Chesaning township is six miles square, 
excepting the west three-quarters of sections 30 and 31, which was 
setoff to Brady township, and described on the map as township 9 
north, range 3 east. 

The general surface of the land comprising Chesaning town- 
ship is undulating. The soil in most parts is a gravelly, 
sandy loam, with small patches of a clayey loam scattered 
here and there. The lands of the township are very fertile, 
and well adapted to the raising of wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, 
etc., as is well attested by the account given elsewhere of its 
agricultural productions. Its farms are well drained by the pass- 
age through its entire length of the beautiful and rapid Shiawassee 
river, which enters its southwestern corner at section 31, from which 
point it sweeps in a northeasterly direction to the center of the town- 
ship; thence north and leaving the township on its northern border 
through section 3. This river also furnishes valuable water-power 
privileges. 

The township is also traversed by several smaller streams both 
east and west of the Shiawassee. This section, previous to its set- 
tlement by white men, was densely covered by timber of different 
kinds; nearly every foot of its territory, except a few Indian-corn 
fields, being shaded by beech, maple, oak, black walnut, butternut, 
in the bottom lands, while on the uplands and along the margins 
of the streams were clustered the stately pine. 

The "Big Rock " Indian reservations, amounting to 15,000 acres, 
were located in this township, and embraced some of its most 
fertile portion. By a treaty made with the Chippewa Indians, this 
land came into the market in 1841. It was stipulated that the land 
should not be sold for less than $5.00 per acre. The sales 
were to be made by auction, and the proceeds, after taking out 
Government expenses in selling the lands, were to be given to the 
Indians. 

48 (795) 



796 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Among the first white men to profit by this land coming into 
the market, and the first settlers in the limits of what is now known 
as Chesaning township, was Geo. W. Chapman, his brother Well- 
ington Chapman and Itufns P. Mason. The Chapman brothers, on 
Oct. 18, 1841, entered land on sections 9, 16, 18 and 21, and II. P. 
Mason, Nov. 26, 1841, entered land on sections 9, 21 and 28. 

The Chapman brothers returned to their home in Massachusetts 
the same fall, and the following spring, accompanied by their 
families and their uncle, Win. Smith, and his/amily, returned and 
settled upon their new lands; Wellington Chapman on the south- 
east one quarter of section 16, and his brother Geo. W. on the 
northeast one-quarter of section 21. 

It was evident that both of these locations had been a favorite 
one to the aborigines, from the traces and relics left behind them, 
that are still occasionally found in the shape of weapons, ornaments 
of silver, burial places, etc. On section 21 was an Indian apple- 
orchard of some 25 trees, estimated in 1841 to be 80 years old; 
while on section 16, where there was an Indian corn-field, it was 
thought from what could be learned from the Indians at that time, 
through tradition, that the field had been cultivated for the same 
purpose nearly 150 years. There was about 100 acres of land 
of this description in the township in 1841. 

Among the pioneers that settled in this township in 1842 may 
be mentioned the names of Geo. W. Chapman and wife, with three 
children ; Wellington Chapman, his wife and one child ; Wm. Smith, 
his wife and seven children, and P. P. Mason — all from Massachusetts; 
Mr. Wright and family, from Pennsylvania; Benj. North, John M. 
Watkins, John Ferguson and a few others, and soon afterward 
James Fuller. In 1845 Asahel Parks, wife and family of seven 
children, settled on sections 1 and 12 north. Mr. Watkins im- 
mediately erected a saw- mill, completing the same in 1842. This 
was the first saw-mill. 

This mill was afterward purchased by P. P. Mason and O. S. 
Chapman (the latter a non-resident), under the firm name of Mason 
& Chapman. They added machinery and apparatus for what 
was called a "pocket-mill" for " cracking corn,' 1 and doing custom 
grinding. This was in 1846, and the first grist-mill in the town- 
ship, the settlers previous to this being obliged to go either to 
Owosjso or Saginaw to get their corn or wheat made into meal or 
flour. The site of this old mill is now occupied by the Chesaning 
Merchant and Custom Mill in Chesaning village. The first frame 
building that was projected for a dwelling-house in the township 
was a one-story affair'and owned by Marion Secord. It was never 
finished, but roughly boarded over, and occupied. In this house 
was the first wedding, "the high contracting parties " being John 
Pitts and Miss Sarah" Ann Fridig. The first birth in the township 
was in May, 1842, being a daughter to Silas Parks. The first male 
child borii was Albert Chapman, son of Wellington Chapman, 
Aug. 28, 1842. The first death was a Mr. Sawyer ; he was buried 



ciii:sani.\<; TOWNSHIP. 7!>7 

on the southeast quarter of section 16. The first white man to 
hold the plow and thus prepare the ground for seeding was 
Wellington Chapman, in 1842, on his own land on the southeast 
quarter of section 16, on part of the old Indian corn-field. Here he 
and his In-other, C. W. Chapman, planted seven acres to corn and 
two acres to potatoes. Alongthe road on this same land the first 
board fence built in the township was put up in 1843, and is still 

standing, in a g 1 state of preservation. The first frame barn in 

the section was also built on this place that year. The first frame 
building erected and completed in the township was built in 1*42 
by North and Watkins, just back of block Id, in Chesaning village, 
on the bank of the river. This was afterward occupied by R. P. 
Mason, where he opened the first store and stock of goods kept in 
the settlement. The first school taught in the township was by 
Miss Eliza Ann Smith, daughter of William Smith. This was in 
L844, 11 scholars attending. It was a subscription school, 
ami kept in what is now Chesaning village, on the east side of the 
river, in a rough boardshanty. R. P. Mason and Gr. W. Chapman, 
in t845-'6, built a small frame house on lot 2, block 18, Chesaning 
village, and presented the same to the district to be used for school 
purposes ; this was the first regular school-house. The first 
teacher in this building was Caroline Barnes. The building is 
still standing and used as a dwelling, moved to another site. The 
nd frame dwelling in the township was built by Wellington 
( Jhapman in the southeast quarter of section 0. It is still standing 
ami occupied by Mr. Chapman, though extensive additions have 
since been made to it. Adjoining this house still stands the sec- 
ond frame barn ever built in the township. 

For a long time during certain seasons of the year, especiallv 
spring, the only means by which the settlers could reach the 
outside world was by canoe or boat on the Shawassee river, taking 
one day to go to Saginaw City, the county-seat, and two days to 
return : while to get to < hvosso they were obliged to use the same 
means of conveyence as at first. They made frequent visits to 
these places after -applies, and to have their grain made into flour 
and meal ; many mishaps occurred, such as the upsetting of their 
boats and a consequent loss. Judge William Smith, the first 
supervisor, was obliged to use this means of conveyance to make 
his regular official trips to the county-seat. 

Came was very abundant, and consisted of deer, bear, wild 
fowls of various kinds, wolves, panthers, wild cats, foxes, etc. 
Hear meat and venison, that are now becoming such luxuries, were 
then the most common food to grace the pioneer's table ; while 
now it is somewhat a rarity to meet with either of the above-named 
animals in this vicinity, though occasionally a bear appears, as, 
in 1*7<'>. William Smith, jr.. being in a field back of his father's 
house, espied a large black bear on the opposite sideof the river, 
lie ran to the house after his rifle. It was the first bear he had 
ever seen running wild, and he was so excited that he could not 
answer the family's questions as to what he was going to do, 



798 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

although he was an old soldier, and had been in many battles or 
the Rebellion. Still he had what is called the "buck fever,*' or 
what might be so called if it had been a deer. As soon as he came 
in shooting distance, he blazed away three times while the bear 
was living, and twice more, probably, after the bear was dead ;and 
he now has the skin as a trophy. 

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 

In this township outside of the village of Chesaning are pro- 
vided eight frame school-houses, valued with their furniture at 
$4,700. "During the school year ending Sept. 6, 1880, 310 scholars 
were in regular attendance. To instruct these pupils six male 
teachers were employed, averaging three and one-third months 
each, and to whom was paid $551, and 11 female teachers, who 
averaged three and four-tenths months each, their combined sal- 
aries amounting to $779. Libraries furnished the different dis- 
tricts amount in all to 12-1 vols. 

AGRICULTURAL. 

The number of acres of land in the township is 22,080. Of this 
5,650 acres are improved and divided among 200 different farms. 
In the year 18S0 there were harvested 1,604 acres of wheat, 1,063 
acres of corn, 421 acres of oats, and 944 acres of hay. The above 
yielded 25,543 bushels of wheat, 59,015 bushels of corn, 12,431 
bushels of oats, and 1,328 tons of hay, while the crop of potatoes 
amounted to 14,215 bushels. The total valuation of real estate is 
$690,900, and of personal property $78,220. As will be seen from 
the above figures, the average yield is very creditable, and com- 
pares favorably with that of any section of the country. 

MINERALS, MINES, ETC. 

Underlying the surface, coal has been known to exist. It crops 
out in various places, but has never been fully developed. Mr. 
Wellington Chapman, from a vein on his "farm obtained several 
wagon loads. It being but a three foot vein, and "dipping" so ab- 
ruptly, it was not found profitable to work, at least while fuel of 
other kinds was in such abundance. Traces of copper have also been 
found to a very limited extent. From the best authority this 
township is also in the great " salt basin" of the Saginaw Valley, 
but until recently nothing has been done to develop its resources 
in that direction. The present year Messrs. Green and Gould are 
putting down w r ells and will doubtless at no distant day have the 
Chesaning Salt Works in full running order. 

RAILROADS. 

The township has but one railroad, The Jackson, Lansing & 
Saginaw. It was complete:! in 1867. The railroad enters the 



CHESANING TOWNSHIP 



799 



township goin g northeast at the northwest corner of sec. 31, pass- 
in<r in a northeasterly direction to Chesaning village, thence north 
through sections 9 and 4 and passing out of its northern border. 
The proprietors of this road had their plans made for running 
the line three miles west of Chesaning village, and had it not been 
for the efforts of one of Ohesaning's pioneers, Geo. W. Chapman, 
this no doubt would have been done, and Chesaning left out, so to 
speak, in the cold. Mr. Chapman, realizing the benefit that would 
accrue to the village and township by having the depot at Chesa- 
ning village, immediately took active measures to secure it. Being 
an old railroad man and acquainted with the projectors of the 
road, especially O. M. Barnes, he secured an agreement from them 
to the effect that if the village would pay a bonus of $18,000 they 
would run the line there and they could have the depot. Mr. 
Chapman took the matter in hand, the money was soon raised, and 
thus Chesaninsf village secured a railroad through its limits. 



MISCELLANKoIS. 



The grist-mill at Havana has two run of stone; is owned by Mrs. 
Parshall, and operated by .lames Latta, at this place. The head 
of water is eight feet. 

The population of the the township in 1880 was 2,059. 



TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. 



SUPERVISORS. 



Wm. Smith 1847-'9 

John W. Turner l850-'3 

James ('. Fuller 1854-'5 

John W. Turner 1856 

R. W. Andrus 1857 

J. W. Turner 1*^ 

R. W. Andrus 1859-'66 

A.Crofoot 1 ^ < J T 



R. W. Andrus 1868-'72 

James L. Helm 1872 

S. C. Goodale 1873 

W. H. Niver, jr 1874-'6 

J. W. Manning 1877-'8 

T. L. Green 1879-'80 

A. D. Agnew I s * 1 



CLERKS. 



R, P.Mason 1847-'9 

James K. Terry 1S50 

David Dresser 1 S ">1 

J.B. Terry 1852 

Daniel Pierce..- 1853 

Wm. I". Allen 1854 

Anson Sheldon 1855-'6 

.Tame- Allen 1857 

Robert (lark 1858 

Orson J. Dayton 1859 

R. P. Mason 1860 



O. C. Smith 1861-'2 

Samuel Church 1863 

O.J. Dayton 1864-'6 

Wm. IT. Niver TS'17 

Wm. H. Niver jr l868-'72 

IT. J. Hopkins 18T4-M 

C. C. Tubbs 1876-'8 

C. W. Hopkins 1879 

C. C. Tubbs 1880 

C.W.Hopkins 1881 



800 



HISTORY OF .SAGINAW COUNTY 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



W. M. Smith 1847-'9 

B.E. Crandall 1850 

D. Dresser 1851 

R. P. Mason 1851 

J. P etherington 1852 

J. W. Turner 1853 

Richard Walsh 1853 

J. F. Coy 1854 

John Pitts 1854 

David Dresser 1855 

Jesse L. Fisher 1855 

T.Stewart 1856 

II. W. Felt 1856 

J. W. Turner 1857 

Geo. L. Davis. . . 1857 

Walter Burrows 1858 

D. W. Davidson 1858 

R. W. Andrus 1859 

Wm. Niver 1859 

J. H. Parshall 1860 

A. Sheldon 1861 

G. Rogers 1862 

J. C. Goodale ...1862 

Samuel Church 1863 

James Miller 1864 



L. L. Homer 1864 

Geo. Rogers 1866 

Win. P. Allen 1867 

H. W. Parker 1868 

J. W. Jones 1869 

Ira W. La Munyon 1870 

J B. Gnswold 1870 

J T. Gleason 1871 

W. P Dredsre 1872 

W. E. Pratt 1872 

A S Mallory 1873 

A. Crofoot 1874 

P. C. Simonds 1875 

T. E. W. Adams 1875 

W. P. Dredge 1876 

S. C. Goodale 1876 

Garret Post 1877 

A.L. Gilbert 1877 

J. C. Fisher 1878 

R. W. Crofoot 1879 

S. C. Goodale 1879 

J.B. Griswold 1880 

Nathan R, Jersev 1881 

Wm . L. Blakslee 1881 



TREASURERS. 



L. Stevens 1847-'9 

John B. Griswold 1850-U 

J. L. Fisher 1852-'3 

J. B. Griswold 1854'6 

A. Crofoot 1857 

Henry Bently 1858 

T. Stewart 1859-'61 

G. L. Chapman 1862-'3 



A. Crofoot 1864 

J. G McCormick 1865 

J M Jones 1866'9 

G. L. Chapman 1870-'3 

T. L. Green 1874-'8 

W. H. Niver,jr 1879 

E. Wierman 1880 

Cyrus C. Tubbs 1881 



The township records pertaining to the first few years after the 
organization of Northampton (now Chesaning) were destroyed. 
The organization of this township is noticed in the " county " his- 
tory in this volume. 



CHESANING VILLAGE, 



The beautiful village of Chesaning is situated near the center of the 
township, is 21 miles by railroad from the county-seat, and 14 
miles north of Owosso. It contains a population of nearly 900. 
Chesaning is located in the center of the '■ Big- Rock" reservation, 
so called from a large rock around which many an Indian council 
was held, that lies about one-half mile east of the village without 
any other stone of large size in the vicinity. The Shiawassee river, 
with bold banks at this point, 15 to 40 feet high, runs through the 
village from south to north, dividing it into nearly equal parts, 
and furnishing valuable water-power. Its bluffs on either side are 
dotted with the dwellings and places of business of its residents. 



CHE8ANING TOWNSHIP. 801 

Through its western limits passes the Jackson, Lansing & 
Saginaw railroad. Here also is Located the railroad passenger 
ana freight depots, where was shipped, in 1880, 6,113,922 pounds 
of freight; and there was received (luring - the same year 2,492,369 
pounds. This is the most important railroad shipping poinl in 
the county, outside of the cities of Saginaw and East Saginaw. 

The survey for the first village plot was made in L851, and put 
on record June 25 of the same year. The surveyor was Andrew 
Huggins. The owners and proprietors of the land were Rufus I*. 
Mason and < >. S. Chapman. The last-named being a non-resident, 
it was under the management of R. P. Mason. Its neat and 
attractive dwellings are mostly frame buildings, and are sur- 
rounded by large ami well-kept grounds. 

The village was incorporated in L869, and includes all of section 
L6, the south half of section '.». east half of section 17, west half of 
section 5, the southeast quarter of section 8, and the southwest 
quarter of section L0, comprising in all 1,920 acres. 

The first charter election was held April 12, lsi; ( .>, and resulted 
in the following named officers being elected: President, 
Rufus P. Mason; Trustees. Henry J. Bently, Henry McCormick, 
James C. Goodale, N. R. Jersey, (). F. Walker and James L. 

Helm. 

April l!». the Board held their first meeting and appointed T. L. 
Green, Clerk; J. B. Griswold, Treasurer; Anson Sheldon, Asses- 
sor; S. C. Goodale, Marshal; Andrew Crofoot, J. J. Austin, Fire 
Wardens. 

RELIGIOUS. 

From a very early period the township has been well supplied 
by ministers of the gospel. The Methodists were the first to hold 
meetings; the Presbyterians next, led by Rev. Goodale, the Bap- 
tists following soon after. There are now three church edifices in 
the township, all being located in Chesaning village and built in 
the order named: 

Methodist. — This society held religious meetings at irregular in- 
tervals from the very earliest settlement of the township, the 
gatherings being principally in private houses. The earliest 
pnaeher to preside at these meetings was a Rev. Mr. Glass, of 
Shiawassee ( !o. Among the early pioneer members of this society 
wen- Watters Burrows and his wife, John B. Griswold and wife, 
and James ('. Fuller and wife. Among the early preachers were 
Rev. F. A. Blades and Rev. Mr. Glass. In 1856 a famous revival 
was held by an evangelist by the name of Wells. During this 
meeting some VM converts were made. Immediately following 
this the conference sent Rev. S. P. Murch to supply the pulpit'. 
lie was the first resident pastor sent by the conference. \\\ 1864, 
the congregation having largely increased in numbers, a subscrip- 
tion was started for the purpose of raising sufficient funds to erect 
a house of worship, they up to this time having held meetings in 



802 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



private houses, school-houses, etc. The subscription was started 
by Mr. R. P. Mason for $100; Gr. W. Chapman, $100; and by 
numerous other parties for different amounts. A site for the 
building was donated by O. S. Chapman and work was vigorously 
begun on the same. It was completed and dedicated in 1869, at a 
cost of $3, 100. It is a frame structure 36x65 feet, and has a seating- 
capacity of 300. 

The church is now out of debt, and has a membership of 110. 
The Sunday-school is in a prosperous condition, and has an 
attendance of 150 scholars, for whose use a good library is sup- 
plied. 

The present pastor is Rev. J. Frazer, who is also superintendent 
of Sunday-school. 

The first class organized was in 1854, by John Levington. The 
members of the class were William Smith and wife, Lyman 
Stevens, B. .S. Badgley, James Allen and W. II. Niver. 



NAMES OF PASTOKS. 



1853, 

1853, 
1854, 
1855, 
1856, 
1858, 
' 1859, 
1860, 
1861, 
1862, 
1863, 



F. A. Blades, 

Glass, 

John Livingston, 

J. M. Arnold, 

S. P. Murch, 

E. B. Prindle, 

Silliman, 

Britten, 

J. B. Russell, 

J. T. Hankinson, 

W. H. Benton, 



1864, 
1866, 
1869, 
1871, 

1873, 
1874, 
1874, 
1876, 

1878, 
1880, 



C. W. Austin, 
A. B. Clough, 
IT. W. Hicks, 
W. E. Dunning, 
J. T. Hankinson, 
F. W. May, 
O. W. Mott, 
J. II. Mcintosh, 
C. Kollorman, 
J. Frazer. 



Baptist Church. — Previous to 1S51- some few Christians of this 
denomination had settled in this township, and meetings had 
been held. In the year above given an organization had been 
perfected, and meetings held at intervals in various places, but 
owing to imperfect records much has been lost of the history of 
those meetings. 

In June, 1878, Elder E. B. Edmonds organized a Baptist confer- 
ence at Chesaning village. The constituent members were Mr. 
and Mrs. F. C. Brainard, Warren Brainard, Deacon Brainard and 
wife, Deacon W. L. Blakslee and wife, Volney Ketchnm and wife, 
Mr. Ellis and wife, Mrs. Hill, Miss Kellogg,'Mrs. E. B. Fletcher, 
John Clement and others, amounting in all to about 21. The 
society now numbers some 28 members, and is steadily growing. 
Connected with the Church is a Sunday-school of 60 scholars. Rev. 
John McLane, present minister. 

This is what is called a mission point in the Baptist Church, 
the society at Chesaning village, owing to the limited membership, 
being aided by the Home Mission in meeting the expenses of the 
Church organization. They have no church building, and hold 
regular services in the German Evangelical church. 

The society owns a parsonage, valued at $800, and also a lot on 
which they intend erecting a church building at no distant day. 



CHESANING township. 803 

Evangelical Church. — Organized 1871, with a membership of 
L8 ; the first pastor was a Rev. Mr. Ream. The congregation 
held meetings in a rented hall until 1S77, when they "erected a 
church edifice on block 17, lot 1<>, Chesaning village, at a cost of 
$2,100. It is a neat and substantial frame building. 34x40 feet. 
The church was built principally through the exertions of one of 
its most active members, Mr. C. Moessner, who not only gave $200 
toward the same, but spent much time in supervising the work, 
raising subscriptions, etc. John Knut subscribed $100, and other 
parties lesser amounts. 

The present officiating pastor is Rev. Louis Bruran. Their Sun- 
day-school has in attendance 25 scholars, for whom a suitable 
library is provided. 

Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This denomination held meet- 
ings in tins township as early as in 1S65. the pastor being the Rev. 
Mr. Miller. They met for the worship of God at private houses in 
the neighborhood until 1874, when they purchased lot 6, block 17. 
in the village of Chesaning, and they erected thereon the present 
church building, at a cost of $1,2<>0. It is a frame structure 24 by 
36 feet in size. Present membership is 23. Present minister is 
Rev. J. Meyer. Sunday-school contains 20 scholars. 

Wild- Wood Cemetery. — -In the northwestern corner of the 
northwest quarter of sec. 28, on a beautiful plat of ground, along the 
bank of the Shiawassee river, is located Wild-AVood cemetery. It 
is neatly laid out in walks and wards. In these grounds overlook- 
ing the Shiawassee valley lie at rest many of Chesaning's pioneers 
and worthy citizens. With their lives passed away the wily sav- 
age, the ferocious wild beast and the trackless forest. To the 
dauntless courage and untiring industry of these pioneers, and 
their few compatriots, who still remain with us on this side of the 
river, too much tribute cannot be paid. As brave and honorable 
men they lived; let their memory be cherished with pride and 
affection. 

SOCIETIES. 

Chesaning Lodge, F. <(■ A. M., No. l'.»4. was granted a charter 
from the Grand Lodge of the State dan. 1*'. 18b7. The charter 
members were J. J. Austin. J. X. Eldred, W. W. Wyman, II. F. 
Armstrong, E. 11. Sternes, E. W. Damon and Joseph Bush. Its 
first officers were .1. J. Austin, W. M. ; J. N. Eldred, S. W.; and 
II. F. Armstrong, J. W. The present officials are as follows: N. 
\l. Jersey, W. M.: W. W. Wyman. S. W.; L. W. Everts. J. W.; 
and G. Lyman Chapman, See. The lodge now has 60 members 
in good standing. They hold meetings Thursday evenings on or 
before the full moon of each month. 

Chesaning Chapter, II. A. .1/.. No. 67, meets the first Tuesday 
in each month. The chapter was instituted dan. 19, 1869. The 
charter members were M. W. Quackenbush, EL P.: Frank P. 



804 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Kenyon, K. ; J. J. Austin, S. ; R. W. Andrews, J. L. Helm, "Win. 
P. Allen, J. M. Jones, J. JNT. Eldred, John Rogers, 0. C. Goodale, 
and others. The pre suit officers are: W. H. H. Chapman, H. 
P.; H. J. Hopkins. Iv. ; John B. Griswold, S. ; 1ST. R. Jersey, Sec. 

Chesaning Lodge* No. 103, /. 0. 0. F. , was granted its charter 
Oct. 31, 1866. The charter members were Frank P. Kenyon, -his. 
C. Goodale, Jas. H. Young, Wm. R. Smith and Daniel C. Par- 
shall. The lodge holds regular meetings every Monday night. 
Membership is 35. 

Chesaning Encampment, No. 76, I. 0. O. F., meets the 2d 
and 4th Wednesdays of every month. 

TJtv Chesaning Grange, No. 464, was organized June 23, 1874, 
with a membership of about 30. Its officers were Samuel Carson, 
Master; David Peet, Treasurer, and O. W. Damon, Secretary. It 
now numbers 25 members. R. A. Wilson is Master; O. W. 
Damon, Secretary; and David Peet, Treasurer. The grange holds 
meetings the 1st and 3d Saturdays of each month. 

Chesaning Lodge* No. 1,S16, K. of H., was organized and char- 
tered Sept. 19, 1879, with a membership of about 20. Present 
membership is 23. Its meetings are held 2d and 4th Friday 
evenings of each month, in the I. O. O. F. Hall. O. F. Walker 
is Dictator, and D. O. Quigley, Reporter. 

Good Templar*. — There is a lodge of the Independent Order of 
Good Templars in the village. 

Ladies'* Library Association.— -In 1877 a few ladies in the village, 
realizing the importance of and the benefits that accrue to the cit- 
izens from having a large library of miscellaneous books perma- 
nently established in the place to which the people could have 
access, formed the above named association. On the organization 
of the society, they possessed but 50 volumes, and fixed the mem- 
bership fees at one dollar per annum. Mrs. II. J. Bently was 
elected President; Mrs. W. H. H. Chapman, Secretary; Mrs. G. 
L. Chapman. Treasurer; and Mrs. T. L. Green, Librarian of the 
association. It is distinctively a ladies' enterprise; no males 
being allowed to vote at election of any of its officers. It is 
supported by membership fees, voluntary contributions, etc. They 
also occasionally secure the services of public speakers and lecturers 
to deliver addresses before the association on scientific and other 
subjects, the proceeds being applied to the purchase of new books 
and other expenses. Adjoining the library room is fitted up an ele- 
gant parlor, where the ladies meet for social converse, reading, or 
to transact the business of the society. During the past four years 
the number of volumes on its shelves have increased to 428. It 
has proven a success, .and may now be counted as one of the im- 
portant and permanent institutions of the village. The present 
officers are Mrs. S. E. Cheyney, President; Mrs. Catharine Rogers, 
Secretary; Mrs. W. II. II. Chapman, Treasurer; and Mrs. Phoebe 
Mayheifer, Librarian. 



CHESANING TOWMSHIP. 805 

CHE8ANING VILLAGE SCHOOLS. 

The village is supplied with two school buildings; one is a brick, 
which was erected at a cost, including furniture, of $14,000. In 
this building is kept a graded school, and three teachers are em- 
ployed. The other is a frame building and is used for a primary 
school. The seating capacity of the two buildings is 280. Num- 
ber of pupils in attendance for the school year of 1880 was 231. 
One male teacher was employed at a salary of $700. Three female 
teachers received salaries which amounted to $840. School year 
is 10 months. School library contains 64 volumes. 

MERCANTILE, MANUFACTURING AND MILLING INTERESTS. 

There are within the village limits the following stores and places 
of business: Four general stores, five groceries, three hardware stores, 
two furniture stores, two boot and shoe stores, two millinery stores, 
two drug stores, two restaurants, two hotels, two wagon shops, two 
harness shops, two meat markets, five blacksmith shops, one foun- 
dry, one planing-mill, one stave and heading factory, one merchant 
and custom flouring mill, one printing office, which issues the 
Weekly Argus, and salt works not yet in operation. Six physi- 
cians reside in Chesaning. 

Among the firms that may be especially mentioned as among the 
most enterprising business men of the place are Chapman Bros., 
H. J. Bently and Thos. L. Green, who each carry a large stock 
and full line of goods usually found in first-class general stores; A. 
S. Bearer, A. C. Christian and Lyman O. Ford, who supply the 
residents with groceries; J. B. Griswold, who keeps a hardware 
store; L. L. Homer, proprietor of a meat market; Eldred & Co. 
and Wm. II. Niver, representing the drug trade; Win. H. Walker, 
owner of a furniture store; C. Moessner, boot and shoe retailer; 
Garrett Post, proprietor of the Waverly House; and Geo. W. 
Williams, who operates an extensive foundry established in 1877. 
A planing-mill, managed by A. A. Belden & Co.; mill was built 
in 1868 on the site of one that was burned; has a 15-horse-power 
engine, New York make. Employs on an average 15 men. Capa- 
city in planing is 1,000 feet per hour; and in matching, 500 feet 
per hour. 

The stave factory carried on by J. J. Campbell is one of the 
most important industries of the village. In this establishment 
are employed 42 men and boys. The motive power is a 35-horse- 
power engine; the factory has a capacity for making 3,000,000 
staves and 10,000 barrel headings per annum. 

The merchant and custom flouring mill, owned and operated by 
R. A. Wilson, occupies the site of the pioneer "corn cracker." It 
is a three-story-and-a-half frame building, 40x50 feet on the ground; 
is fitted with four run of stone and improved machinery, and cost 
its present owner $15,000. Its grinding capacity is 60,000 bushels 



806 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



of grain per annum, and averages 40,000 bushels. Its machinery 
is run by water power, tlie u Shiawassee " furnishing a never-failino* 
supply. From this mill are annually shipped 600 barrels of flour. 

POSTOFFICE. 

With the exception of the postoffice at Saginaw City and East 
Saginaw, this office is the most important one in the county. 
There are received and distributed at this office each week 260 
weekly newspapers and magazines, and 35 daily papers. Its average 
receipt of letters for distribution in the village and township is 
200 per day, while they send to other offices 100 letters daily. In 
the money-order department they issue orders yearly to the 
amount of '$18,000 to $20,000. The present postmaster is Thos. 
L. Greene. 

THE FIRST LAND-BUYERS. 

The first purchasers of the United States Lands in this township 
are named in the following list: 



Willard Parker, sec 1, Aug 1, 1853 
Elijah Anderson, sec 1, Nov 11, 1854 
Truman Scott, sec 1. Jan 3, 1855 
William H. Fisher, sec 1, Jan 3, 1855 
Edward H. Stearns, sec 1, Nov 7. 1S54 
Elijah P. Burt, sec 2. March 1, 1854 
Thomas Monish, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 
Bartholomew Glass, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 
Joel Bardwell, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 
Ge rge W. Lee, sec 2, March 1, 1854 
Horace G. Soule, sec 3, June 27, 1855 
James Cummins, sec 3, Sept 28, 1855 
Hiram Walker, sec 3, Sept 13, 1855 
William P. Allen, sec 3, Sept 13, 1855 
Giles Bishop, sec 3. Dec 7, 1854 
Robert Nason, sec 3, Nov 20,1851 
A. L. & T. B. R R. sec 3, Dec 1, 1862 
Hiram Walker, sec 3, Oct 1, 1855 
Alfred Russell, sec 3, Oct 1, 1855 
Israel Parshall, sec 3, June 18, and Dec 

19, 1855 
Salmon A. Mitchell, sec 4, Nov 15, 1850 
Ruths P. Mason, sec 4, Jan 4, 1851 
James Fuller, sec 4, Jan 4, 1851 
John Pitts, sec 4, Feb 18, 1852 
Joseph Loekwood, sec 4, Jan 19, 1854 
Henry T. Sherbock, sec 4, Nov !>, 1854 
A. F. McCarty, sec 4, Dec 27, 1854 
Daniel Brooks, sec 4, Dec 27, 1854 
Robert H. Nason, sec 4, Dec 25, 1854 
John L. Smith, sec 4, May 16, 1854 
Justin D. Inn-alls, sec 4,Dec 15,1847 
Rufus P. Mason, sec 4, Nov 22, 1850 
James Fuller, sec 4, Nov 22, 1850 
James C. Fuller, sec 4, March 1, 1851 
Robert H. Nelson, sec 4, Oct 18, 1S54 
Edward Smith, sec 4, May 16, 1854 
James C. Fuller, sec 4, June 1, 1S54 



Jos. R. Thompson, sec 5. Oct 24, 1853 
John T. Tallman, sec 5, Feb 11, 1837 
Franklin Moore, sec 5, Nov 10, 1853 
Martha A. Griswold, sec 5, Nov 7, 1854 
Benjamin Johnson, sec 5. Nov 7. 1854 
Barnard Lenmon, sec 6, Nov 7, 1854 
Charles AVhitlaker, sec 6, Nov 7, 1854 
Warner J. Jobdill, sec 6, Nov 7. 1854 
Isaiah Rathburn, sec 6, Nov 7, 1854 
John B. Hamilton, sec 7, Nov 7, 1851 
Bernard Frener, sec 7, Nov 7, ls54 
Thomas Lister sec 7. Dec 2, 1854 
H. H. Neff, sec 7, Aug 28, and Nov 7, 

1854 
William P. Allen, sec 7, Amr 3', 1853 
Gideon Lee. sec 8, Jan 21, 1837 
Charles English, sec 8, Jan 17. 1837 
John W. Turner, sec 9, Feb 12. 1852 
David Dresser, sec 9, June 11, 1849 
Win. Dresser, sec 9, June 11, 1849. and 

Nov 16, 1850 
Rufus P. Mason, sec 9, Nov 26, 1841 
W. Chapman, sec 9, Oct 18, 1841 
G. W. Chapman, sec 9, Oct 18, 1841 
\V. Chapman, sec !i, March 5 ls4 r > 
James Fuller, see 9, Ocl 17, 1843 
W. Chapman, sec 9, April 23. 1855 
John S. Smith sec 9, April 23, 1855 
Albert G. W. Smith, sec 9, Oct 26. 1854 
Jamps C. Fuller, sec 9, Nov 16, 1850, 

and Sept 1, 1851 
Silas W. Legg, sec 9, Oct 3, 1855 
Samuel Scribbens. sec 9, Oct 3, 1855 
W. Chapman, sec 9, April 23, 1855 
Allen O. Templer, sec 9, Jan 14, 1856 
Richard Odell. sec 9, May 4, 1855 
L. G. Harkness, sec 10, Aug 18, 1863 
D. M. Harkness, sec 10, Aug 18, 1863 



CHE8ANIKG TOWNSHIP 



si»7 



Hiram Walker, sec 10, Oct 1. 1855 
Alfred Kom.ii. sec 10, Ocl 1. 1855 
II K. Kinney, sec 10, Sepl 30, and Dec 

39, 18"j4 
Wellington Chapman, sec 10, Nov 

16, 1850, and April 23, 1855 
C. II Carroll, sec 11, July 14, 1836 
W. T. Carroll, sec 11, July 14, 1836 
Gideon Lee, sec 11, Jan 21, is:;: 
Gideon Lee, mm- 12, .Ian 21, 1837 
C.H. Carmll. sec 12, July 14. 1886 
W. '1". Carroll, sec 12, July 14. 1886 
Sarah P. Richardson, sec" 12, Oct 10, 

1836 
Abels Donels >n, sec 13, Nov 7. 1854 
William Griswold, sec 13, Nov 6, 1854 
Franklin Walker. Bee 13. Nov 7, is:, I 
Washington D. Morton, sec 13, Nov 7, 

1854 
Wm. Griswold, sec 13, Nov 7, 1854 
David Richards, sec 14. Nov 7, 1854 
Cyrus Hewitt, sec 14 Nov7.1854 

B. Matthewson, sec 14. Nov 7, 1854. 
Hiram Walker, sec 15, Nov 1, 1855 
Alfred Russell, secl5, Nov 1, 1855 
Abigail 15. Allen, sec 15, Feb 16, 1856 
G. W. ( !. Smith, sec 15, July 2, 1855 
John T. Turner, sec 15, Juue 7, 1855 
W. P.Allen, sec 15, June 6, 1855 
James ('. Fuller, sec 15, July 14, 1848 
John W. Turner, sec 15. May 30, 1853 
Edward II. Stern, sec 15, May 30, 1853 
E. S. Bennei t, sec 15, Nov 22.' 1855 

W. D. Morton, sec 15, Sept 26, 1855 
Horace C. Soule, sec 15, June 8, 1855 
Tirrah McArthur, sec 15, June 15, 1848 

C. Kimberly, sec 15, June 15, 1848 
Rensselaer Allen, sec 15, Sept 28,1853 
C C. Hascall, sec 16, Jan 24, 1842 
John Ferguson, sec 16, Jan 24, 1842 
Benjamin North, sec 16, Jan 24. 1842 
John M. Watkins, sec 16, Jan 24, 1842 
W. Chapman, sec 16, Oct 18, 1841 
J.M. Watkins, sec 16, June 22, 1842 
L. C. Smith, sec 16, March 27, 1854 
Albert G. Smitb,sec 16, Ocl 20, 1854 
Samuel Leonard, sec Hi. Feb 5. 1855 
Waters Burrows sec Pi. June 4, 1855 
Samuel Noyes, sec 17, Jan 16, 1837 
Isaac Brown, sec 17, Jan 16, 1837 

B. F. Town, sec 17. Jan 16, 1837 
c. Hamilton.sec 17, Feb 11, 1837 
W. H. 11 Elliott, sec !7..Ian 16, 1837 
Robert Harper, sec 17, Feb 11, 1837 
John Tallman, sec 18, Feb 11, 1837, 
Geo. Woodman, sec 18, Ang7, 1854 
Chauncey Metcalf, sec 18, Feb 11, 1837 
•lame. B. Hunt,sec 19, Jan 20, 1837 
J.T. Tallman, sec 19, Feb n. is.;; 
Oshea Cova, sec 19, Nov 14, 1854 
I). VanWormer, sec 19, Jan Hi, 1837 
Waters Burrows, sec 20, June 4, 1855 
David Peet,sec 20, June 23, 1855 
E. W. Damon sec 20, June 23, 1855 
James Chambers, sec 20, Aug 31, 1855 



David Peel, sec 20. Oct 5. 1855 
Edward Smith, sec 20, May.10, 1856 
William Smith, sec 20. Jan 10. 1853 
Israel Parshall, sec 20, Dec. IS, 1855 
James Allen, sec 20, Sept 15, 1855 
W. Chapman, sec21, Oct 18, 1841 
Geo. L, Davis, sec 21. Oct 7, 1851 
Rufus Mason, set: 21, Nov 26, 1841 
o. S. Chapman, sec 21, July 16, 1842 
Giles Bishop, sec 21, Nov 28. 1854 
Geo. W. Chapman, sec 21, Oct 18, 1841 
S. Leonard, sec 21, Feb 5 and June 16 

1855 
Warren S. Ward, sec 22, April. 28, 1855 
Giles Bishop, sec 22, June 2, 185G 
Geo. W. Chapman, sec 22, April 5, 1854 
Julia Ann Nell', sec 22, Nov 2, 1855 
E.G. Goddard, sec 22, Aim- 18, 1863 
Benj. S Bad uely, sec 22, Dec 20, 1854 
Henry P. Emery, sec 22, Dec 20, 1854 
II. A. Tobias, sec 22, Dec 2, 1854 
Crrice Mathewson, sec 28, Nov 7, 1854 
Eugene Willhne, sec 23, Nov 7, 1854 
Thomas Partridge, sec 23, Nov 7, 1854 
Anderson Bump, sec 24, Nov 7, 1854 
T. J. Johnson, sec. 24. Nov. 7, 1854 
Abram Slocum, sec. 24, Nov 7, 1854 
N. G. Clark, sec 24, Nov 7, 1854 
Hiram Willes, sec 24, Nov 7, 1854 
John Reid, sec 25, Nov 7, 1854 
John Brace, sec 25, Nov 13, 1854 
Charles Bell, sec 25, Nov 7, 1854 
Ira Stanard, sec 25, Nov 7, 1854 
Asahel Townsend, sec 25. Nov 7, 1854 
James C Townsend, sec 25, Nov 7,1854 
Anson Sheldon, sec 26, Nov 7, 1854 
Geo. C. Reid, jr., sec 26, Nov 7, 1854 
Reuben Vanf efflin, sec 26, Nov 7, 1854 
Giles Bishop, sec 27, June 2, 1856 
A. L. & T. B. R. R., sec 27, Dec 1, 1862 
Benj. S. Badgely, sec 27. Dec 20, 1854 
Henry R. Emery, sec 27, Dec 20, 1854 
Solomon Tobias, sec 27, Dec 2, 1854 
Elisha Taylor, sec 27, Jau 10, 1856 
Henry C. Thayer, sec 27, Dec 2, 1854, 

May 17, and Sept 24, 1855 
Rufus P. Mason, sec 28, Nov 26, 1841 
Giles Bishop, sec 28, Feb 12, March 14, 

May 24, and June 5, 1855 
John Ferguson, sec 29, Jau 24, 1842 
Benj. North, sec 20. Jan 24, 1842 
J. M. Watkins. sec 29, Jan 24, 1842 
Benj. North, sec 20, May 21. 1844 
Daniel North, sec 20, May 21, 1844 
O. S. Chapman, see 26. April 17, 1844 
Stephen Bentley, sec 20, Feb 16, 1850 
O. S. Chapman," sec 29. April 5, 1851 
Rufus P. Mason, sec 20. Aprils, 1851 
Israel Parshall, sec 20, June 4. 1855 
Giles Bishop, sec 20. Dec (j, 1854 
Daniel Pierce, sec 29, Nov 20, 1850 
Giles Bishop, sec 20. Nov 28,1854 
O. S. Chapman, sec 29, July 16, 1S42 
I). McArthur, sec 29, Aug 15, 1854 
James Wadsworth, sec 30, July 7. 1836 



808 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Thomas Stewart, sec 30, Nov 1, 1855 
L. C. Smith, sec 30, Aug 27, 1855 
J. B Griswold, sec 30. Jul}- 1, 1850 
D. Mc Arthur, sec 30, Aug 15, 1854 
Hermann Ladd, sec 31, June 18, 1826 
Charles Little, sec 31, June 18, 1826 
Cornelius Bergen, sec 31, Jan 15. 1836 
Norman Little, sec 31, Feb 23, 1836 
A. Q W. Smith, sec 31, Oct 20, 1854 
A. E. Hernington, sec 31, June 18, 1855 
Philip Mickles, sec 31, Sept 3, 1855 
A. L. Williams, sec 31, Sept 19, 1855 
Stephen Bentley, sec 32, Feb 16, 1850 
Israel Parshall, sec 32, June 4, 1855 
Benj. S. Badgely, sec 32, Dec 20, 1854 
Henry R. Emery, sec 32, Dec 20, 1*54 



Israel Parshall, sec 32, Oct 18, 1855 
Philip Mickles, sec 32, Sept 8, 1855 
A. L. Williams, see 32, Sept 19, is.-,:, 
Wm. B. Irwin, sec 32, S=ept28, 1855 
Norman Parshall sec 32, Oct IS, 1855 
Geo. V. N. Lothrop, sec 33, Sept 27, 

1855 
L. G. Harkness, sec 34 Aug 18, 1863 
D. M. Harkness, sec 34, Aug is. 1863 
Thomas Fuote, sec 34, Jan 2, 1855 
Jesse Fenny, sec 34, Sept 6 1 855 
Elislnt Taylor, sec 34, Jan 10, 1856 
M. J. Barrett, sec 35, Nov 7, 1854 
Geo. Crocker, sec 35, Nov 7, 1854 
Leonard Wesson, sec 35, Nov 7, 1854 
R. D. Lamond, sec 36, Nov 7, 1854 



A FRIGHTFUL MURDER. 



One of the most brutal murders ever perpetrated was that of 
Charles Smith, of Chesaning, on the morning of Sept. 13. 1876. It 
brought a blush of shame into the features of man and woman, and 
stained the Centennial year with a crime as horrible as its cause 
was base. The Courier report of that murder and the trial which 
succeeded it was full and accurate, so that from it alone we take 
the following particulars of the disgraceful tragedy: 

Charles Smith owned and lived on a fine 40-acre farm, the 
product of his own industry and frugality, situated about one and 
one-half miles south of the village on the Corunna road. At about 
two o'clock on the morning of Sept. 13, 1876, the barn belonging 
to his premises was discovered to be on fire, and although the 
neighbors were on hand very soon after the tire originated, it was 
impossible for them to render any efficient aid, and the building 
was almost totally consumed. Smith was missing, and inquiries 
were made concerning him. Mrs. Smith said- she had seen him 
enter the barn after the tire had gained considerable headway, and 
had not seen him afterward. The fire raged until it consumed 
all that it could reach, and after it had gone down sufficiently to 
admit of it, a search was made in the ruins for the body of Smith. 
On what was left of the barn floor the remains were fonnd in a ter- 
riblj 7 burned condition, surrounded by a smoldering heap of straw 
and other debris. 

Mr. Smith's family consisted of his wife, Mrs. Mary Jane Smith, 
Cora Rolfe, a 12-year old daughter of Mrs. Smith by a former hus- 
band, a little son aged seven years, and one aged about three, both 
his children by Mary Jane Smith. Yisiting in his family at the 
time of the fire were Mrs. Julia Ann Cargin, a sister of Mrs. 
Smith, and her newly married husband, Freeman Cargin, residents 
of Katonah, Westchester Co., .N". Y. The Cargins were on their 
wedding tour. There was a young man named Norris Alexander, 
who had worked on the farm at various times for Smith, but there 
had been difficulty between the two men and Alexander had been 
discharged. Alexander first went to Smith's to work when he was 



CHESANING TOWNSHIP. 809 

a lad between 14- and 15 years of age, and made his home there 
most of the time up to the opening of this narrative. His reputa- 
tion was not of the best, and once he was sent to the House of Cor- 
rection in Detroit for larceny. We introduce Alexander with the 
family, because he figures very prominently in their destinies, as 
will be Been further on. 

There had been difficulties in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
not agreeing very well, and the peace of the husband and wife 
was not augmented by the presence of Oargin and his wife, al- 
though the latter were on their "honeymoon trip." Alexander. 
familiarly known as ,- Nock," a nickname for Norris, had also been 
heard to make remarks that showed a bitter feeling toward Smith. 
It seems also that young Alexander took lodgings at the Waverly 
House in Chesaning on the night in question. He was supposed to 
have been in bed all night and in the morning, but there are indi- 
cations that he had been out at the window of his room during the 
night. Joseph Miller, a neighbor of Smith's, had seen two men 
come out of the house and go to the barn about 20 minutes before 
the fire was discovered. It appeared also that Mrs. Smith had lately 
made inquiry in the neighborhood if she could hold her husband's 
property in case of his death. 

A combination of all these circumstances led the neighbors to 
suspect that there had been some crooked transactions. The coro- 
ner's inquest on the body resulted in a verdict indicating that the 
deceased came to his death by murder in his own house ; that the 
body was conveyed thence to the barn and there burned with the 
building, and that suspicion pointed to Mrs. Smith, wife of the de- 
ceased. Freeman Cargin and his wife, and Norris Alexander. The 
parties were immediately arrested, and followed by an excited mob 
of the citizens of Chesaning. they were conducted to the depot and 
thence to Saginaw City, where they were lodged in jail. 

The preliminary examination of the prisoners commenced before 
Justice J. W. Clark, in Saginaw City, on the afternoon of Sept. 
IS, Prosecuting Attorney William Gillett appearing for the People, 
and ¥m, A. Clark for the defense. The prisoners were all in court, 
and the women looked quite agitated. During the course of the 
testimony Mrs. Cargin was attacked with a sort of spasm, the 
symptoms of which were quite alarming, although she came out of 
it all right. 

A great many of the neighbors were sworn on the examination. 
and Wednesday, the 20th, the prisoners consented to waive further 
examination, preferring to take their chances in the circuit court. 

THE TRIAL OF CARGIN. 

On Monday, Dec. 11, the trials commenced before Judge Tennant, 
each to have a separate trial. Freeman Cargin was the first to be tried. 
Messrs. Win. A. Clark and Win. A. Clark, jr., and John Hurst ap- 
peared for the defense, and Prosecuting Attorney Gillett and his 



810 HISTOEY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

partner in civil business, Lawson C. Holden, for the prosecution. 
There had been very much talk concerning the trial, and a great 
many men otherwise qualified for jurors had read the testimony on 
the examination, formed opinions, and consequently were ineligible. 
Eighty jurors were sworn in this case before 12 eligible ones could 
be obtained. The regular panel of 2-1 and 56 talesmen were sworn, 
and at 3:10 p. m. on the 12th, both sides were satisfied with the fol- 
lowing named gentlemen as jurors : George Jenner, J. M. Wilson, 
George Streeb, W. E. Smythe, John Zimmerman, Porter Stewart, 
W. B. Stillman, Charles Bnrdick, John Howell, Joseph T. Man- 
ning, Frank Benjamin, John Baar. 

Interest in this case among the citizens of East Saginaw, Saginaw 
City and the surrounding country had been gradually working up 
as it became more and more clear that there was a strong case 
against the accused. Wednesday, Dec. 13, the court room was 
packed to its utmost capacity, and the stairs were crowded. Many, 
tired of tiwing to hear a word, or to get even a glimpse of the 
prisoners, filed away with the consolation that they would see a full 
account of it in the morning papers. The reason of this augment- 
ation of interest was the rumor that Dan P. Foote, counsel for 
Norris Alexander, had advised his client to plead guilty, and that, 
in accordance with this advice Alexander would so plead and make 
a full confession of the crime in all its details. This proved true,, 
for this prisoner was brought into court in the forenoon, and 
pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. At 2:30 p.m. Alexander 
was produced in court, and being called to the stand as the People's 
witness, told a tale, compared with which ordinary tales of bloody 
murder are but cheerful Christmas stories. Mr. Clark, counsel for 
defense, objected, because Alexander was examined under the same 
charge as Cargin, and a party substantially to the record of this 
case. The objection was overruled, and Alexander took the stand, 
when he related that terrible story of murder with a nonchalance 
which only a communist could admire. It was proved and admit- 
ted that the murderers did their dreadful act at the house and took 
the dying man out to the barn, which they set on fire, probably 
before the poor victim was dead. 

Judge Tennant sentenced the principal murderer to solitary con- 
finement in the State's prison for life. Julia Cargin, the consort 
murderess, received a similar sentence. Mrs. Smith and her para- 
mour, Norris Alexander, were also convicted of murder in the 
first degree. Judge Tennant, in passing sentence on the murderess, 
said: ''Your life is forfeited to the State, yet for public policy, and 
that alone, your sentence will be lessened; you may live to come 
out of prison, and to see your children, now small and tender, 
grown to manhood and womanhood, but you cannot enjoy them, 
for they will disown you and cast you aside. What can they think 
of the mother that so foully slew their father?" Her sentence was 
a term of 15 years' imprisonment at hard labor. Owing to the 
tact that Alexander turned State's evidence, his punishment was 
reduced to 10 years at hard labor. 



I 




^^fe^, Jl*t<%: 



CHESANING TOWNSHIP. 813 

This brief account of a terrible tragedy is one of a number that 
pertains to this county and one. too, that cannot be passed over 
with a formal notice: therefore this reference to that band of 

murderers. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Following are sketches of some of the pioneers and representative 
citizens of Chesaning village and township: 

Charles Bailey, school-teacher; P. 0., Chesaning'; was born in 
Rrovince of Ontario, Canada, July 27, 1838; parents were Charles 
and Lucinda Bailey; former died May 24, 1859, and the latter in 
January, L880; subject of sketch was reared in Canada; received 
education in St. Thomas Academy; taught school eight years in 
native land and New York; came to Saginaw county in 1870; was 
married April 1!', 1869, to Johanna Burson, daughter of Aimer 
and Agnes Burson, natives of Virginia and Ohio; wife was born at 
Kalamazoo. Mich., Jan. 26, L839; 1 child — Alice E., born at Port 
Burrow, Canada. July 25, 1870; subject is member of I. O. G. T. 
and P. of II; owns farm Of 7" acres on sees. 22 and 27. 

Georat W. Bentley, farmer, sec. 6; P. <)., Chesaning; was born 
in Madison Co., X. Y., Oct. L8, L840. His parents are Robert 
and Eliza Bentley, also natives of New York. In October, 1862, 
Mr. Bentley enlisted in Co. D, 23d Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and 
during histwo years* service, participated in over 20 engagements. 
He was honorably discharged in September, 1861. He settled on 
his present farm of 80 acres in L880. He was married Aug. 6, 
L861, to Charlotte, daughterof Hiram and Lucy Anthony. Mrs. 
Bentley was born in Madison Co., X. Y r ., in 1848. They have 2 
children— Eva, wife of George Summers, of Bay City, and George 
M. Mr. Bentley votes with the Republican party. 

// •/. Bentley, merchant, Chesaning, was born in Ontario Co., 
X. Y.. March L9, 1821. His parents, Thomas and Sallie (James) 
Bentley, were natives of Saratoga Co. , X". Y. Mr. Bentley was 
reared to manhood on a farm, receiving a common-school education. 
In November, L856, he came to Chesaning, and opened the second 
Btore in that place. In 1861 he removed to Saginaw City, but 
Boon returned to Chesaning, where he has since resided. Mr. 
Bentley has been engaged at various times in the salt, lumber and 
hotel business. He was married in June, 1847, to Jane A. Wen- 
dell, who was born in Niagara Co., X. Y., April 3, 1824. Her 
parents are .John A. and Elizabeth (Parrott) Wendell. Three 
children have been given to this union — Effie A., wife of William 
H. Hayne. was born Jan. 22, 1849; Alice E., deceased wife of 
W. II. EL Chapman, was born Aug. 19, 1851, and died Sept. 2, 
1874; Marion L).. who died at the age of six months. Mr. Bentley 
was once Deputy Postmaster of Chesaning, and at present is a 
member of the R, A. M. and I. O. O.F. societies, and Democratic 
in politics. 

49 



814 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mr. Bentley has sold goods in Chesaning village for the past 22 
years, and is now carrying on a general store. The average stock 
carried is about $5,000, and consists of dry-goods, groceries, hats, 
caps, boots, shoes and jewelry. His sales average about $10,000, 
per annum. 

Henry R. Blakeslee, farmer, sec. 24, was born in Steuben Co., 
N. Y., Sept. 3, 1840; parents were Dr. E. L. and Irene W. Blakes- 
lee, natives of Massachusetts and Long Island. Subject of sketch 
was reared in New York; education received at district schools; 
on Aug. 25, 1862, enlisted in Co. D, 136th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf.: 
was wounded in shoulder at Resaca, and discharged May 25, 1865; 
came to Michigan in October, 1867, lived at Chesaning two years, 
then purchased present farm of 80 acres; was married Oct. 10, I860, 
to Clarissa Walker, daughter of Jacob and Clarissa Walker; wife 
born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., March 21,1839; have 4 children — 
Fred. H., Jerome R., Elmer A., and Cynthia J; subject is 
Republican. 

Arthur S. Burrows, grocer, Chesaning, is the first son of Walter 
and Mary Burrows, and was born in Chesaning, June 13, 1857. 
His parents were of English ancestors. His father died when he 
was seven years of age. He attended school in Chesaning till 17, 
and until 19 on a farm, when he obtained employment as clerk in 
the store of J. W. Manning; with him he remained one and a half 
years, then opened a grocery store for himself and is doing a good 
business. He carries a stock of»$2,(>00. Annual sales amount to 
$20,000. Jan. 1, 1880, he was married to Cora Wagner, daughter 
of V. and Mary (Seeley) Wagner, born in York State, Feb. 17, 
1859. In politics he is an advocate of Democracy. 

Samuel 8. Carson was born in Hamilton Co., O., June 26, 1834; 
son of Samuel and Elizabeth Carson, the former of whom served in 
the war of 1812 and was son of a Revolutionary soldier; subject of 
sketch was raised in Seneca Co., O., and educated at the Republi- 
can Academy; in September, 1862, enlisted in Co. I, 123d Reg". O. 
Yol. Inf., serving until he was honorably discharged, March, 1863; 
sense of hearing was somewhat injured during war. In October, 1864, 
came to this county; owns 160 acres of land on sec. 7; previous to 
war was a school-teacher for many years; is Republican in politics; 
was married March 19, 1861, to Sabria Miller, who was born in 
Ohio, Sept. 23, 1842, a daughter of John and Sarah A. Miller; of 
7 children given them, 6 are living — Roselia, wife of George W. 
Bennett, William S., Hattie, Ettie, Samuel II. and Ethel. 

George Washington Chapman was, without doubt, descended from 
Ralph Chapman, born in England in 1615, and who at the age of 
20 years, being then a resident of the Parish of St. Saviors, 
Southwark, County Surrey, emigrated to America, as will appear 
from consulting the list of ])assengers who passed from the port of 
London for the year ending at Christmas, 1635. Upon his arrival 
in America he probably settled at Duxbury, Mass., although no 
mention is made of him until 1640. Ten years afterward he be- 



CHESANING TOWNSHIP. 815 

came a resident of Marshfield, Mass., and lived there until the 
time of his death, which occurred in the autumn of 1671. lie had 
a daughter Mary, who married, in L666, William Troop. This 
name, though variously spelled, occurs in the family of George W. 
Chapman many times. His Great-grandfather Throop, when he 
was a boy, he well remembered seeing. This ancestor, at the age 
of 91, rode on horseback from Reedsborough, Vt., to Belcher- 
town, Mass., to visit his relative^. George, although very young 
at the tiineof this visit, look much pleasure and interest in the old 
gentleman, and years afterward related to && children many amus- 
ing incidents of the early life of his ancient progenitor. Throop 
Chapman had a number of children, among them William, who 
in turn, had among others. Daniel, the father of George, who was 
bornDec. 23, L782, and died at Canton, Mass., April 12, 1st;;. 
He married May 25, L809, Nancy Smith, who was born in Walpole, 
Mass., Jan. 9, 1790, and died March 9, 1838. Their second son, 
George, the subject of this memoir, was born at Belchertown, 
Hampshire Co . Mass.. Nov. 15, 1812. 

Mr. Chapman passed his youth in his native town, where, at a 
very early age. he learned from his father the trade of wheelwright, 
and soon became a skillful workman, obtaining that practical in- 
formation which enabled him in after years to apply his 
naturally mechanical mind so successfully, and devise and invent 
many improvements in the implements, and machinery which he 
employed in his chosen vocation. In early manhood he engaged 
in the construction of railroads, and a greater portion of his ever 
active and busy life was passed in this manner, sometimes as a 
superintendent, sometimes as a contractor, and, indeed, almost 
every position required in building railroads has, at one time or 
another, been rilled by him. Nearly every State east of the Mis- 
sissippi and north of the Potomac bear the imprints of his handi- 
work. His first experience in building railroads was during the 
year 1835, when he was at work on the Boston A: Providence 
road, near Canton. Mass. In the year 1836 he went to Philadel- 
phia, Penn., where, at this time, his cousin, Mr. William Otis, 
invented the steam excavator (since so generally and successfully 
U8ed for the construction of railroads and canals, and in deepen- 
ing rivers and harbors, one or more Inning been used on the Sag- 
inaw river, for years). Mr. Chapman superintended the entire 
construction of the first excavator, and with his own hands built 
the wood- work. The first attempt to work it was between Balti- 
more and Washington, on what is now part of the Baltimore 
& Ohio railroad. Several weeks were spent in a vain 
attempt to make the excavator worl?. AtlengthMr. Chapman per- 
suaded his cousin to permit him to attach what has since been known 
as "the arms: " the first trial was satisfactory, and from that time 
the excavator was a success. While engaged in the construction 
of the Washington & Baltimore branch of the Baltimore & Ohio 
railroad, he made a brief visit to his native State, and was married 
Nov. •">. 1836, to Miss Abigail J. Whipple, who was born in Pel- 



816 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

ham, Mass.. Jan. 26, 1815. She was the daughter of Mr. Joseph 
Whipple, a well-to-do farmer, and a near relative of Commodore 
Abraham Whipple, of Revolutionary fame. Early in 1837 Mr. 
Chapman was employed at New Worcester, Mass.; subsequently 
he took contracts on the Eastern railroad at Chelsea, near Lynn, 
Mass. His next employment was upon the Boston cV Albany rail- 
road, at Richmond, near Pittsfield, and at the Summit cut in Wash- 
ington tp., Berkshire Co., Mass. 

In the autumn of 1841, in company with his younger brother, 
Wellington, he traveled through Ohio and Michigan, and while 
stopping at Owosso, Mich., the brothers were induced by A. L. 
and B. O. Williams to visit the "Big Rock Reservation," riding 
<»n horseback through the forest along the banks of the beautiful 
Shiawassee river; they at length came upon the cleared fields ot 
the Indian reservation, and were so charmed with the location that 
they both concluded to purchase lands here. George chose the 
northern portion of sec. 21, on the east side of the river, and 
his brother directly opposite; this was the first sale of land by the 
Government in the tp. of Chesaning, then constituting a 
part of the tp. of Taymouth, which included all the south- 
ern portion of Saginaw county. Mr. Chapman's farm was a favor- 
ite resort of the aborigines. Nearly all the flats or bottom lands 
had for years been planted with corn by the Indians, and on the 
dry, sandy upland may still be seen some of the holes where 
they buried their winter store. On the upper side of the flats, 
and near the river bank, was a large burying-ground, and near by 
a thrifty orchard of apple-trees, supposed at date of purchase to 
be about 80 years old. Tradition relates that these trees were 
planted by an old squaw, who made holes in the ground and then 
threw in the entire cores of the apples containing the seeds; the 
trees grew in clusters, thus confirming the tradition. The second 
year Mr. Chapman lived on his farm these trees bore over 300 
bushels of apples, 62^ bushels being harvested from a single 
tree. 

In October, 1842, Mr. Chapman moved his family hither, occu- 
pying the house (still standing) the first night without either door 
or windows, and a roof only partly covered. The family were 
lulled to sleep by the hooting of owls and the howling of wolves. 
The succeeding winter was what has since been known as the 
"hard winter in Michigan,"" and in common with all the new set- 
tlers, he "browsed" his cattle, as neither hay nor fodder of any 
kind could be obtained; his horse ran with the Indian ponies, 
and subsisted by pawing away the snow with his feet and eating 
the long, dry grass of the flats. During the next year or two 
several families settled in the neighborhood, and a new tp. 
was organized, and christened Northampton by Mr. Chapman. 
About this time Mr. Chapman and Rufus P. Mason erected and 
presented to the settlers the first school-house built in Chesaning. 
After a residence of nearly live years in Michigan, Mr. Chapman 
became weary of a life in the wilderness, and seeing his children 



CHK9ANING TOWNSHIP. 81 7 

growing up without the advantages of an education, returned in 
August, 1M7. to the New England States. Soon thereafter we 
find him at work with a -team excavator at West Claremont and 
Cornish, X. H.,* and subsequently on the Vermont Central at "Slip 
Hill," near Montpelier. In January, 1850, lie moved his family to 
Wells River, Vt., and during that year was engaged on the 
Passumpsic railroad, in company with A. P. Balcli. In company 
with his brother Oliver he had contracts on the New Jersey Cen- 
tral railroad at Bray's Hill and at Bloomsbury. In the fall of 1852 
he went to Canada and was engaged with Balch, Zimmerman and 
others on the Greal Western railroad, between Suspension Bridge 
and St. Catherines, employing two steam excavators, near the 
■• Bed House." His family resided in the village of Thorold, On- 
tario. Subsequently, with Sidney Dillon, he had a contract on the 
Philadelphia A Erie railroad near Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., 
Pa. While residing here the dwelling-house was burned to the 
ground, destroying a large portion of the furniture and nearly all 
the family wearing apparel. Mrs. Chapman's aged mother nar- 
rowly escapedfrom perishing in the flames. 

In the spring of 1859 Mr. Chapman returned to Michigan, and 
since then the family have continued to reside on the farm pur- 
chased on his first visit to Ghesaning. Mr. Chapman's last rail- 
road contract was on the Marietta & Cincinnati line, where, as one 
of the firm of Dodge, Balch & Co., he had work amounting to 
more than $2,000,000, building an extension of 10 miles from 
Loveland to Ludlow Grove— the latter a suburb of Cincinnati — 
and between Chillicothe and Parkersburg, West Virginia. Many 
heavy grade- were cut down, deep ravines filled up and tunnels 
made through Pilcher and Vanderwalker hills. 

Mrs. Chapman's health having failed, and he being somewhat 
advanced in years, abandoned railroads about 15 years before his 
death, and nearly all the remainder of his life was passed on his 
farm — making frequent visits to his relatives in the Eastern States. 
During .the years Is66-'S, in company with his son-in-law, George 
W. Hippie, he was interested in the lumber business, owning a 
steam saw-mill and quite an extensive tract of pine land in the tp. 
of A! bee. Saginaw ( !o. 

Mr. Chapman was of a sanguine temperament, and happy dispo- 
sition, fond of jokes and an adept at repartee, and woe to the victim 
who sought to l>audv words with him, for Mr. Chapman invariably 
"turned the tables' 1 upon his adversary and came out victorious. 

In politics he was an earnest, uncompromising Republican, and 
in days prior to the organizing of that party an avowed Abolitionist 
of the Garrisonia'n school, having been a reader of the Liberator 
from nearly the first to the last number printed, and never hesi- 
tating to advocate the cause of the slave; and in later years, after 
the emancipation, it was his pride and glory that he had ever 
been an Abolitionist. 

He died suddenly on the morning of Feb. 17. 1881, in the 00th 
year of his age. 



SIS HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The following is a list of Mr. Chapman's children : George Lyman, 
born at Lynn, Mass., July 29, 1837; married Serena C. Vincent, ot 
Washington Co., Ohio, Jan. 10, 1866; his children are Serena 
May, horn May 30, 1869, and Florence A., Oct. 11, 1871. Helen 
Abigail, born at Richmond, Mass., June 8, 1839; married George 
W. Hippie of Lock Haven, Penn., Dec. 2, 1858. William H. H., 
born at Washington, Mass., Nov. 9, 1841; married Alice E. 
Bentley, of Chesaning, April 14, 1870, who died Sept. 2,- 1874, and 
his children are George Henry, born April 6, 1871, and Estella 
Maud, Dec. 28, 1872; he married Helen A. Jndd, of Pontiac, 
Mich., Dec. 23, 1875. Nancy Cordelia, born at Chesaning, Mich., 
May 1, 1845; married Albert JB. Clough, of Dansville, Mich.. Sept. 
12, 1867; her children are Mary Lizzie, born Nov. 2, 1868; Plelen, 
born June 14, 1873. James W., born at Claremont, N. H., Sept. 
22, 1847; married Josephine Granger, of Oakland Co., Mich., 
Aug. 10, 1872; his child is Maud M., born April 24, 1873. 
Elizabeth A., born at Thorokl, Ontario, Sept. 19, 1853, died in in- 
fancy. Oliver D., born at Jersey Shore, Penn.. Jan 9, 1859. 
A portrait of Mr. Chapman appears in this volume, on page 397. 

Wellington Chapman. This gentleman's portrait appears on 
page 431. As will be seen in the history of Chesaning village and 
tp., he was early identified with its settlement, dating back to the 
autumn of 1841. He is a native of Hampshire Co., Mass., and 
was born on Sept. 20, 1814. His ancestry is given above, in the 
sketch of his brother. He learned the trade of a wheelwright from 
his father, whom he assisted until 20 years of age, when he went 
to Worcester, Mass., where he worked at car-bnilding; and in 
1835, with his cousin "Otis," worked on the construction and 
finishing of the Boston & Albany R. R. Subsequently Mr. Chap- 
man was largely interested in car-building, and in the construction 
of railroads throughout the Middle, Eastern and Western States — 
at times as superintendent for other parties, at other times as con- 
tractor. Among those railroads were the Providence & Stonington 
R. R., at Kingston and East Greenwich, Rhode Island, then 
in the construction of the Delaware & Schuylkill canal, which 
work was finally abandoned; the Philadelphia & Norristown R. 
R., and the Valley R. R. He was also engaged on the Worcester & 
Springfield, in Massachusetts. This road was afterward merged 
into the Boston & Albany. In all the above Mr. Chapman was 
acting for other parties as superintendent or "boss" of construc- 
tion at different places. 

He next took a contract at Charlestown, Mass., to build 100 rail- 
road cars; after finishing about one-half of them, he sub-let his 
contract to other parties, and took a contract for excavating a por- 
tion of the railroad; after working on his contract one year, the 
railroad company temporarily suspended operations, when he went 
to East B.ston, Mass., and superintended work on excavations for 
other parties for one year, and then resumed work on his former 



CHE8AN1NG TOWNSHIP. 819 

contract od the BoBton & Albany II. It., which he completed. 
Then lie took and completed contracts on the TauntOD & New Bed- 
ford R. K.. and then assisted his brother, O. S. Chapman, in com- 
pleting contracts on the Boston & Albany It. R., at Washington. 
At the end of this year, L841, he came to Chesaning (in coin- 
pan}' with his brother, George Washington Chapman) and entered 
land on what was then called "the Big Rock Indian reservation." 

Mr. Chapman remained in Chesaning until 1847, and assisted in 
the organization of the tp. The year above named he returned 
with his family to New England and resumed railroading, being 
one of the firm of Boody, Dillon & Co. They took contracts on 
the excavations to be made on the Hartford & Fishkill It. It.. Mr. 
Chapman having entire management of the work. They had one 
contract on this road that was stipulated to be finished in 15 
months from the time* work commenced. It consisted of 45,000 
Bquare yards of rock, some 10,000 yards of which lay under 
one foot of water. The deepest cut was- 60 feet. The contract was 
completed in just 15 mouths, and is said to be the largest amount 
of rock ever taken from one sol id cut, in the same length of time, in 
the United States. Subsequentl} 7 he had contracts on the Ashuelat 
R. II., and Danbury & Norwalk It. It. He then went to Ohio, 
and contracted and completed 10 mdes of the Marietta & Cincin- 
nati R. R., including the east approach to the Pelcher tunnel, 
and 10 miles therefrom toward Marietta, including all open exca- 
vations and stone work for bridges. This took five years to 
complete. 

He then went to Worcester, Mass., and lived two years, at the 
end of which time he returned to Chesaning with his family. 
Since then he has been interested at different times in construction 
of the following railroads: the Newark & New York, at Bergen 
Heights, N. J., and the Hartford & Fishkill R. R. in Putnam 
X. Y. In company with his two brothers, Oliver S. and E. 
Chapman, he built the eastern approach to the Omaha bridge on 
the U. P. It. It., at Council Bluffs, Iowa, since which time he lias 
lived a comparatively quiet life on his farm, which consists of .".10 
acres on sees. 9 and 10 in Chesaning. 

Mr. Wellington Chapman was married in 183S or '39 to Sarah 
Gray, who bore him 2 children. She died in 1848, and in 184.' Ik; 
was again married, to his present wife, Sarah Ann Dick man. By 
this union there were also 2 children. 

In politics Mr. Chapman is a Republican. 

Mr. Chapman's children are — Albert W., born Aug. 28, 1842; 
Eliza, deceased; Julietta Eliza, bom March 12, 1849; and Charles 
E., deceased. Albert W. married Lucy Case, and had 2 children, 
Sarah A., born May 20, 186-; and Albert W., jr.. Nov. 1. 1870, 
and died Sept. 21, 1877; Julietta married Edward C. Walden, and 
has 2 children. Charles W. C, born Dec. 17,1879; and Edward 
('.. .March 12, 1881. 



820 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Calvin Chase, a pioneer of Ohesaning tp. , was born in Chitten- 
den Co., Vt., May 18, 1805. His parents, Jonathan and Mehita- 
bel Chase, were natives of Worcester Co., Mass. Mr. Chase 
passed his early life in agricultural pursuits, receiving only a lim- 
ited education. In the spring of 1859 he came to Saginaw county 
and located land on sec. 14, Chesaning tp. He was married, in 
September, 1845, to Huldah Lacy, by whom he had 4 children. Only 
1 is living — Harriet, wife of I. O. Thompson. Mrs. Chase died, 
and Mr. Chase then married Amanda, daughter of Henry and 
Nancy McLean, natives of Dutchess Co., N. Y., where Mrs. Chase 
was born in 1826. Of their 7 children, 5 are living — Calvin 0., 
who married Susannah J. Darling ; Orville D., married to Alice 
A. Patterson; Helen A., wife of Leonard Zintel ; Orlando A., 
husband of Eliza Kent; and Diantha C, wife of Conrad Swantz. 
Mr. Chase is a member of the Baptist Church and the Democratic 
party. 

Calvin (). Chase, with whom he now resides, was married May 
12, 1872, to Susannah J. Darling ; they have a family of 3 children 
—Carrie A., born Jan. 25, 1876 ; Frank O., born Feb., 2, 1878 ; 
CoraE., born Aug. 8,1880. Nellie May was born May 9, 1874, and 
died Jan. 15, 1881. Mr. C. O. Chase is a Democrat in politics. 
Lie resides on sec. 14, Chesaning tp., where he owns a farm of 120 
acres of land. 

Amasa C Christian, grocer, Chesaning, Mich., was born in Lake 
Co., Ohio, July 18, 1854. and is a son of Samuel C. and Laura 
Christian, the former a native of London, Eng., and the latter of 
Chautauqua Co., 1ST. Y. When Amasa was six years of age, his 
parents removed to Hillsdale Co., Mich., and a year later to 
Hazelton, Shiawassee Co., where he grew to maturer years, 
receiving a common-school education. In 1879 Mr. Christian 
opened a grocery store at Chesaning, where he continues to do a 
fair business. On Dec. 20, 1880, he was married to Mary A. 
Kellogg, a school-teacher, who was born at Wheatfield. Ingham 
Co., Mich., Feb. 13, 1853. Mrs. Christian is a member of the 
Baptist Church, and Mr. C. votes with the Republican party. 

Mr. Christian carries a stock of staple and fancy groceries, and 
averages sales amounting from $6, 000 to §8,000 per annum. Also 
a wholesale dealer in barrel hoops, handling $4,000 worth a 
year. 

James S. Colby, retired fanner. Owosso, Mich., was born in 
Oswego Co., X. Y., March 14, 1824, and is a son of Daniel D. 
and Elizabeth Colby, natives of Onondaga and Van Rensselaer 
counties, N. Y. Mr. Colby was reared on his father's farm, 
receiving as good an education as the district school afforded. In 
ls44, when 20 years of age, he came to Livingston Co., Mich., and 
opened a cooper shop at Pinkney, which he operated for seven 
years. In 1853 he was landlord of the Pinkney Hotel, and in 
1854 purchased 240 acres of land in Shiawassee county, and a 
subsequent purchase increased the tract to 320 acres. In 1875. he 
retired from active life, and located at Owosso. He married Eliza 



( BESANING TOWNSHIP. 82J 

Nelson, and of the 6 children given them, 5 arc living — (xaylord 
F., Clarence D., Rudolph J., Lilian L. and Nellie. William is 
deceased. Mr. Colby's father resides at Oswego, N. Y., aged 82 
years. Hi- mother died in August, 1*74. aged 74 years. 

1i<iIji/i />. Curtis, was born at Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
July 19, 1808, son of Comfort and Catherine Curtis, natives ofNew 
York : subject was reared on a farm : educated at Gaines' Academy, 
Orleans Co., X. Y.;also took lessons in portrait painting ; grad- 
uated in 1828 : went to Oswego, X. Y. and worked at painting for 
eight years ; in 1844 went to Flint, Mich., lived thereuntil 1865, then 
went to Upper Canada and disposed of a farm he owned; 
subsequently came to Chesaning, where he still resides; was 
married ( )rt. 1. 1834, to Alice Ann Wood, a native of Onondaga 
Co., N. Y. ; '2 children given to this marriage — Ralph Edwin, 
horn at Oswego, X. V.. duly 1.5. L838, was a soldier in the late war, 
received wounds at Richmond, Ya.. duly !». ls<;4. and died at City 
Point : .Mary Louisa, born May 1. L8 — . and died Oct. 1, 1841 ; 
wife died in November, 1850, aged 30 years ; subject is a member of 
Republican party. Mr. Curtis lias followed the business of portrait 
painting since the age of I'. 1 years, nearly continuously, though 
at times has followed farming, and has owned in this tp., three 
farms. 

Ephraim I><nn<>u. farmer, sec. 20; P. O., Chesaning; was born in 
Windsor Co., Yt.. April 3, 1817 ; parents were Loring and Rebecca 
(Esterbrook) Damon, natives of Vermont and Xew Hampshire ; 
subject was reared on a farm; received a good education; at 18 years 
of age went to Bellows Falls and learned the carpenter's trade ; in 
Is;,;,, came to Chesaning; entered 40 acres of timbered land on 
sec. 20 : sent for family same year ; was married Dec. 15, 1841. 
to Amanda Cole, daughter of Hezekiah Cole, of Vermont ; wife 
born in New York. Aug. '.'. 1817 ; 4 children born to them. 3 liv- 
ing — Orion W., Brazil] M. and Leroy L. ; the first was a soldier 
in Co. F, 16th Reg.. Mich. Yol. Inf., and is now station agent for 
I '. S. R. R., at Detroit: second son was also a soldier: subject of 
sketch i> a member of Masonic fraternity and Greenback party. 

LB. 7*. Damon, Chesaning, was born in Hampshire Co.. ]\Ia^>., 
July.?. 1826. Eis parents were Jotham and Naomi Damon, also 
natives of the "Bay State." Mr. Damon was educated at the 
Franklin Institute, of Shelburn Falls, where at the age of 20 years 
he could speak six different languages. His father was a wealthy 
man. and Mr. Damon built a factory in Massachusetts, which lie 
operated for two years. After following shipping for oneyear, from 
Connecticut to New Fork, on his own vessels, he came to Wayne 
Co., Mich., and for two years traveled for the N. Y. C. R. R., from 
Hamilton. Canada West, to Chicago. After a year's service as 
manager of the financial department of the Detroit Fre< Democrat, 
he obtained the position of tobacco collector with Scotten, Gran- 
ger & Lovett, of Detroit, remaining with them for 17 years. He 
was engaged in business at Mem), his and Lansing, Mich., and for 
some years was engaged in farming in Jackson and Lenawee 



822 I1IST0KY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

counties. In September. 1879, he came to Chesaning, where lie has 

since resided. He was married Nov. 28, 1*53, to Mary M. Sous- 
ter, who was born at Matilda, Canada, in July, 1826. 5 children 
were born to bless this union, only 1 of whom is living — Mary E. 
Mrs. Damon died Sept, 10, 1866, and May 31, 1867, Mr. D. "was 
united in marriage to Lovina Bates. They have 4 children — 
Walter A., Eva A., Cora B. and Alice. Mr. Damon is a Re- 
publican. 

Albert Doane, of the firm of Caster & Doane, lumber manufact- 
urers, Chesaning, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Jan. 11. 1841; 
parents were Horace and Amy (.Mills) Doane; subject of sketch 
was reared on a farm ; in lb~3 accompanied his mother to Saginaw 
county; had previously lived seven years in Huron Co., Ohio; father 
died in 1862, and mother, May 22, 1873 ; subject was married to 
present wife Elvina (Stout) Doane. Sept. 6, 1S79; wife is a daughter of 
Spencer and Amy Stout; was born in Shiawassee Co., Mich., Feb. 2, 
1853 ; 4 children by first wife, 3 living — Lucy M., Edith I. and 
Emma E. Subject owns farm of 80 acres on sec. 27, and is a 
Republican. 

Joseph N. Eldred, M. D., Chesaning, Mich., was born in On- 
ondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 3, 1837, and was a son of Joseph and 
Phoebe Eldred. When four } 7 ears of age Dr. Eldred accompanied 
his mother to Genesee Co., Mich., and five years later went on a 
farm near Pontiac. After five years of farm life, he went to Ypsi- 
lanti, and received a good education in the seminary and State 
Normal school of that city, working during the summer months, 
and attending school in winter. In 1858 he began the study of 
medicine under Dr. Fox, of Hartland, Mich., remaining with him 
three years. In the meantime he graduated from the medical de- 
partment of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and com- 
menced his professional duties in the tp. of Cohoctah, Livingston 
Co., Mich. On May 2, 1862, he removed to Chesaning, and for 
many years was the pioneer physician of that place. In 1868, in 
company with Wm. H. Niver, jr., he opened a drug store, where he 
remained for two years. Partnership was then dissolved, and D\\ 
Eldred opened a drug store for himself, where he has since remained. 
He was married Aug. 27, 1861, to Eliza B. Tnbbs, who was born 
at Brattleboro, Vt., Sept. 7, 1839. Tjiev have 3 children — 
Burt C, born June IS, 1862; Wells B., born Sept. 25, 1867, and 
Ralph M., born Nov, 9, 1878. Dr. Eldred is Democratic in poli- 
tics; is a member of the Village Board of Trustees. He is a Mason, 
and served the chapter as High Priest, for a term of five years, also 
a member of the St. Bernard Commandery. 

Lyman 0. Eord, Chesaning, was born in Erie Co., X. Y., April 
9, 1847, and is a son of Charles and Amy Ford. On Feb. 14, 
1865, when but 18 years of age, he enlisted in Co. I, 9th Regt. 
Mich. Vol. Inf., and at Nashville, Term., was seized with the small- 
pux, and was confined in the hospital of that city until June 9, 
when he was discharged from further service. He now draws a 



CHE8ANING TOWNSHIP. ■ 823 

pension ut' six dollars par month. lie was married Oct. .">, 1873, to 
Jane E. Stevens, who was born April 27, I s ±7. am! is a daughter 
of Joseph and Mary Stevens. They have 3 children — Charles 
K., John II. and Ransom L. Politically, Mr. Ford is a Republi- 
can. 'He is now engaged in the grocery business at Chesaning. 

William French, farmer, sec. 4, sou of Edmund and Fanny 
French, was born in Province of Ontario, Canada, Jan. 20, 1841; 
was reared amid rural scenes, and received district-school advan- 
tages; was married June 15, 1860, to Caroline Brooker, born in 
Kent, Eug., Jan. i ;s >. 1841; parents, Stephen and Betsey ' Brooker, 
came to America in 1850; subject has 5 children — Edmund. 
Nelson, William, Amelia and Phcebe; subject settled on present 
farm of 40 acres in August, 1871; himself and family associate 
with Baptist Church congregation; grandfather, Nicholas French, 
was a soldier in the Continental army under Washington. 

Elmore B. Fr'mk, farmer, sec. 14; P. O., Chesaning; was born 
in New York, April 8, L836; parents are Henry and Maria (Gris- 
wold) Frink; former was born in Windham Co., Conn., Jan. 16, 
17'. i( ''. was soldier in war of 1812, and died June 6, 1S47; mother 
was born in Caledonia Co., Vt., Dec. 31, 1805; subject was reared 
on a farm, and received a common-school education; on Aug. 6, 
1862, enlisted in Co. G, 108th Reg. X. Y. Vol. Inf., and was dis- 
charged May 2, 1865; was married Dec. 28, 1859, to Elizabeth 
Stowel, daughter of Ezra and Phoebe Stowell, wife was born in 
Monroe Co., X. Y., July, 1844; of 5 children born 4 are 
living — Hattie ('., wife of Morris Rogers; Lillie B., Grace A. and 
Clarence B.; subject settled in Chesaning tp. in 1876; owns 80 
acres of land; believes in doctrines of Republican party. 

David Gould, of the firm of Gould, Osborn & Co., manufact- 
urers of lumber. Owo880, Mich., was born in Cayuga Co., N. 
Y., Sept. 23, 1827, and is a son of Ebenezer and Valetta Gould, 
natives of Granville, X. Y. Mr. Gould was reared on a farm, 
and in 1842 accompanied his parents to Owosso, Mich., where he 
resided eight years, and during which time he learned the ma- 
chinist's trade. In 1850 he went to Detroit, and worked at his 
trade for four years. He was engineer on the lakes for one season, 
and from 1849 to 1852 operated a machine-shop at Flint-. In the 
latter year he removed to St. Charles, and erected the first saw- 
mill at that place. In 1853, when St. Charles tp. was organized, 
he was elected its first Supervisor, serving one term. In 1854 he 
located at his present home in Owosso. Mr. Could was Superin- 
tendent of the Lansing division of the J.. L. & S. R. R. for five 
years, and has been identified with the lumber interests of Saginaw 
county for 1 7 years. 

P. Gould ranks among the old and most respected citizens of 
Che$aning tp. He was born in Wayne Co., X. Y.. Sept. 3, 1814, 
and was a son of Rev. Joseph and Mehitabel (Deuell) Gould, 
natives of Washington Co.. X. V. Mr. Gould grew to maturer 



824 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

years on a farm, receiving- a good education. His mother died 
when he was 15 years of age, and in 1837 he removed to Ann 
Arbor, Mich., and worked as a mechanic for two years. While 
living at Ann Arbor he purchased a farm of 300 acres in Oakland 
Co., Mich., and paid $1,400 on it, when it was discovered 
that the deed was worthless, and he thereby suffered the loss of 
nearly all his hard earnings for years. From Ann Arbor he went 
to Battle Creek, and three years later purchased 137 acres, which. 
by subsequent purchases, he increased to 300 acres, and sold it for 
a good profit. His next venture was owning a third in a saw-mill 
in Albee tp., living at Owosso two years, when he moved to 
Chesaning. At the end of five years he bought a farm of 160 
acres. With the exception of two years spentat Flint he has since 
resided at Chesanjng. He built the first grain elevator at Ches- 
aning, and owns 20 acres of land within the village limits. He 
also owns a business block, the upper story of which is used as a 
hall for the I. O. O. F. Mr. Gould is a member of the Republican 
party. 

T. L. Green Postmaster of Chesaning, Mich., was born in 
Chenango Co., N. Y., and is a son of Thurston and Rachel Green, 
also natives of the " Empire State." Mr. Green grew T to manhood 
on a farm and received a liberal education. On May 10, 1867, he 
came to Chesaning and opened a general store. In 1873 he was 
appointed Postmaster of Chesaning, which position he still occu- 
pies. He is a member of the firm of Green & Gould, manufact- 
urers of lumber, etc. They erected a mill at Chesaning in 1881, 
at a cost of $4,000, and intend to bore a salt well soon. Mr. Green 
is n Mason, a Knight Templar and a Republican. He was Treas- 
urer of Chesaning tp. five years, and Supervisor for two terms. 
He was Clerk of the Village Board eight years, and is now a 
Trustee of that body. He was married Sept. 17, 1862, to Julia 
A. Ireland, who was born Feb. 1, 1841, and is a daughter of Job 
and Ursula Ireland, natives of Chenango Co., IS". Y. Mr. Green's 
father is a resident of Coventryville, K. Y. His mother died 
March 12, 1856. 

John B. Griswold, merchant, Chesaning, was born in Vermont. 
Feb. 3, 1809. While yet a lad his parents, Asel and Prudence 
Griswold, removed to Cheshire Co., N. H. At the age of 10 years 
Mr. Griswold left home and commenced the battle of life for him- 
self. He learned the trade of a sawyer, and in August, 1836, arrived 
at Owosso, Mich., where he remained some time. He helped build 
a saw-mill at St. Charles, also one at Chesaning. He followed his 
trade for over 30 years, also boating for a lengthy term. In 
1872 he opened a hardware store at Chesaning, where he enjoys a 
good trade. Mr. Griswold carried the mail from Owosso to Sagi- 
naw for 10 years, and from Corunna to Chesaning for six years. 
In 1832 he married Eliza Jackson. Five children were given them, 
two of whom are living — William G. and Martha, wife of Norman 
Parshall. The deceased are John H., Augusta and Catherine. 
Mrs. Griswold is a daughter of John Jackson, and was born at 



-\.\im. rowNBHip. S25 

Salem, Mas?., Feb. 2, 1813. Mr. Griswold's grandfather, John 
Griswold, and his 8 sons were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. 
Matthew Griswold. an ancestor of John B., was of English blood, 
ami settled in Connecticut on land given to Oliver Cromwell by 
the English government. He was the first Governor of* Con- 
necticut. 

Byron S. Hewitt, deceased, was born in 1S35 in the State of 
New York; his parents afterward came to Michigan and settled in 
'■see county; at 21 he bought a farm of 80 acres of land at 
Ohesaning, which was a wilderness at that time. He and several 
other young fellows built a shanty, where he staid about two years; 
he then was at Flint about two or three years; then he married; 
at 26 he moved hack on his place and lived there the remainder of 
his life. He died in 1870 leaving a wife and 2 children. His 
wife was born in 1S34, in England, and came to this country when 
she was about 16, with her parents. She still lives on the farm. 
Joyce Hewitt, his elder daughter, was born in 1863, and Mary 
Hewitt was burn in 1S69. Mr. Hewitt joined the Methodist Church 
when he was about 22 and he lived and died a devoted Christian. 

LJeweJtyn Homer, of Chesaning, was born at Youngsville, "War- 
ren Co., Pa., March 27, 1850, and is a son of Lemuel and Elizabeth 
Homer, natives of New York and Pennsylvania. When Mr. 
Homer was nine years of age his parents removed to West Spring 
Creek. Pa.; his mother died at Youngsville the same year. 
Three years later he accompanied his father to Chesaning, Mich., 
where the latter died Aug. 17, 1872. On Sept. 3, 1864, and when 
only 14 years of age, he enlisted in Co. C, 29th Reg. Mich. Vol. 
Inf., being honorably discharged Sept. 21, 1S65. The year 1866 
he spent in Pennsylvania, and in 1808 returned to Chesaning, 
where he has since resided. He was married Nov. 16, 1870, to 
Rowena Parshall, who was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., in Feb- 
ruary, 1850. They have 1 child, Harry L., born Dec. 8, 1880. Mr. 
Homer is Democratic in politics. 

Amnion H. Lobdell, farmer, sec. 21; P. O., Chesaning; was born 
at Hamburg, Erie Co., N. Y., Dec. 3, 1828. His parents were 
Pliny and Nancy Lobdell, the former of whom was born Jan. 2, 
1801, and his mother, Aug. 17, 1802. Amnion ripened into man- 
hood on a farm and in 1866 located in Chesaning tp., Saginaw 
Co. He was married Oct. 10, 1848, to Caroline Northum, daugh- 
ter of Levi North um, and born in Erie Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1830. 
Of the 12 children iriven them, 9 are living — Ida G., wife of Mr. 
Erastus Wirman; Emine L., wife of George McCormick; Martha 
A., wife of Frank Lobdell; Louise D., wife of Wallace Day; Flor- 
ence M., wife of Arthur Lewis; Austin K., Gabriel and Charles E. 
Pliny, Seymour and Cary are deceased. Mr. Lobdell is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. and P. of H. societies and the Republican party. 

Rufu.s P. Mason. — This pioneer of Chesaning was born in 
Cheshire Co., X. H., Oct. 25, 1813; his parents, Joseph and Lucy 
(Flint) Mason, were natives of Connecticut. Joseph Mason was 



826 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

born March 6, 1751; served as a Sergeant in the .Revolutionary 
war from its beginning to its close, and removed to Cheshire Co., 
N. H., soon after the close of the war, where he died Feb. 18, 1834. 
His wife died at the same place Jan. 6, 1833. They had a family 
of 14 children, the subject of this sketch being the youngest. 
Rufns P. Mason passed his youth on a farm, in the meantime re- 
ceiving a common-school education. May IT, 1810, he was mar- 
ried to Caroline Otis, a daughter of Isaac Otis, who was the first 
United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
He also established a bank in New York city, acting as its Presi- 
dent for four years. He afterward founded the Atlantic Bank of 
New York city, and acted as its President until his death, in 
August, I860." 

Rufus P. Mason before coming to Chesaning had followed the 
business of building and constructing railroads, acting as superin- 
tendent for other parties, at a salary of $1,500 per year. This 
position he abandoned and came to what is now Chesaning village, 
in the fall of 1841, and selected land. With the exception of five 
years spent in New York and one and a half years in the Lake Su- 
perior country in the lumber business, Mr. Mason has been a constant 
resident of Chesaning village since 1841. He kept one of the first 
stores and thepostofHce at Chesaning village, and has been constantly 
identified with its business interests up to date. He now resides 
in the village, and owns and operates a farm of ISO acres. 

Mr. Mason is a Republican, and has served his tp. as Highway 
Commissioner 20 years, Justice of the Peace four years, and Tp. 
Clerk 10 years; he also acted for a time as Secretary of the 
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co. He and his wife are members of 
the M. E. Church. They have a family of 5 children, as follows: 
Mary E., now the wife of Rev. C. W. Austin; Tryphena, now liv- 
ing in China, where her husband, Rev. O. "W. Willits, has acted 
as a missionary since 1880; W. Otis, Allie and Fanny. 

Mr. Mason is a thorough business man and enjoys the respect 
and esteem of all. In his younger days he was noted for his ac- 
tivit} 7 , and as a pedestrian was seldom excelled; as an example, he 
walked from Pontiac to Chesaning, a distance of 75 miles, in 16 
hours, the roads being quite muddy at the time; and at another 
time, from Bay City to Chesaning in one day. He is still active 
and vigorous, although nearly three-score and ten. 

James A. Mericles, farmer, sec. 6, was born in Chenango Co., 
N. Y., Oct. 27, 1835; parents were Cornelius and Betsey Mericles, 
natives of New York; subject of sketch grew to manhood in 
Cayuga county of native State; on Aug. 8, 1862, he enlisted in Co. 
D,' 23d Reg., Mich. Yol. Inf., and was discharged July 12, 1865; 
then came to East Saginaw, where he remained 7 years; subse- 
quently removed to Midland county, but while there- two saw-mills 
owned by him burned to the ground, and he then went to Hazel- 
ton, Shiawassee Co., and afterward to present location; was 
married March 6, 1859, to Emma Anthony, daughter of Hiram 



CHESANING TOWNSHIP. 821 

and Lucy (Beebe) Anthony, native- of New York: former was 
bora Aug. •_'. L803, and the latter March 4, L808; wife was born in 
Madison Co., X. Y., July 14. LS42; they have an adopted child, 
Minnie J., bom April 6, l s <i^: subject own- farm of 80 acre-. 

David W. Milks, farmer, sec. L3, was horn in Cattaraugus Co., 
X. 5T., June 30, 1830; parents were Benjamin and Polly (Moore) 
Milks; former was born near Lake George, N. V.. and served in 
war of I ^ 1 — : subject was raised on a farm; received common- 
school education; was married Oct. 20, L850, to Harriet Turner, 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Kelch) Turner; wife was born 
in Herkimer Co., X. V.. Feb. 21, L830; they have 3 children 
Joseph E., horn Aug. 1. L851; Polly A., horn April L3, 1854, and 
Harney R., horn March 30, L864; subject settled in Chesaning tp. 
in June, 1856; owns 40 acres of land: is neutral in politics; himself 
and wife are Seventh-Day Adventists, assisting in organizing said 
society in Saginaw county. 

John S. Muler, a respected citizen of Chesaning, was horn in 
York Co., Pa., May 12, 1800; parents were John and Sarah 
Miller; former a native of New Jersey, and drummer in Continental 
army at age of I s year-: latter a native of Pennsylvania; subject 
received a good education; in 1826 went to Carroll Co., Ohio; 
came to Saginaw county in 1865; was married April 25, 1821, to 
Mary Ryland. Seven children were born — Thomas J., Charles AY.. 
JohnT., William and David: Eliza and Julia A. are deceased; 
wife died Nov. 22, 1840. He was married again June 29, 1841, to 
Sarah A., daughter of James and Sarah Davis; wife was born in 
Washington Co., Pa., Feb. 19, 1821; 4 c*hildren given to second 
union — Sahra E., wife of S. S. Carson; Mary E., wite of Hiram 
Whitney; Samuel, who married Susan Norman, and Joseph H., 
married to Anna McClellan; 4 sons were soldiers in civil war; 
subject and wife are members of United Brethren in Christ: former 
is Republican in politics. 

C. Mbessner, dealer in hoots and shoes, Chesaning. Mich., was 
horn in Wurtemberg, Germany, Dec. 31, 1 S .'U: came to America 
in 1851; spent two years at his trade at Grand Rapids, Mich.; 
until 1863 was located at Owosso; in latter year came to Ches- 
aning: was married in 1859 t<> Catherine Hickman. Of 5 chil- 
dren born to this marriage .". are living — Fred M., Maggie C, 
and Ague-: John and Louisa A. are deceased; subject and wife 
are members of Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which the former 
is a class leader; subject is a K. of H. and a Republican; his father 
came to America in 1870, and resides with him. 

Robert H. Nason, one of Chesaning's wealthiest and most prom- 
inent men. was horn in Northampton, England. June 9, 1832. His 
parents, Charles and Harriet Nason, emigrated to America when 
he was two years of age, and settled near Buffalo, N. T.,where Rob- 
ert was reared on a farm. In October, 1852, he came to Chesaning 
and engaged in farming and lumbering. lie began here with very 
limited means. His business was buying and drawing logs to 
Chesaning and hiring them sawed. In 1859 he purchased a water- 
mill, situated on the site of the present flouring mill. He ran this 



828 HISTORY OF SAGINAW county. 

mill two years, then bought a tract of pine land of 1,500 acres, five 
miles east of Chesaning, and built on it a saw-mill; then sold it to 
Wilcox Bros., of Jackson, for $25,000. This was his first specula- 
tion. He afterward came to Chesaning and built a saw-mill at a 
cost of $4,000. He ran it for two years, then purchased a tract of 
pine land of 2,500 acres in Albee, where he operated in lumber lo 
years, then sold an interest to a Mr. Gould, changing the firm to 
Nason & Gould. During this time he built a mill in Maple Grove 
tp., which he ran four years, then sold. He speculated in land for a 
number of years. He now owns 1,000 acres of line land in the 
vicinity of Chesaning. 

Mr. Nason owns a large interest in the salt block at Garfield, and 
also a saw-mill there, built in March, 1878, at a cost of $10,000. 

July 4, 1851, Mr. N. was married to Miss Susan Odell, by whom 
he has had 3 children; of these 2 are living, viz.: Geo. M., mar- 
ried to Miss Hattie Blount, and Ida. 

In politics Mr. Nason is a .Republican. 

William H. JViver, jr., druggist, Chesaning, was born in 
Chemung Co., N. Y., Oct. 5, 1835. His parents, William II. and 
Eleanor Niver, were natives of Orange Co., N. Y. William H.,jr., 
was raised a " farmer's boy," and his educational advantages were 
limited to those of a district school. He learned the carpenter and 
joiner's trade, and from 1855 to 1805 was a farmer of Saginaw 
county. In the latter year he opened a drug store at Chesaning, 
where he has since been engaged in business. He was married 
Jan. 1, 1856, to Lemira Par shall, who was born in Livingston Co., 
Mich., July 3, 1840. Her parents, Israel and Minerva Parshall, 
were natives of New York. Of the 3 children born to this 
union 2 are living — Alice M., wife of James L. McCauley, and 
Emeroy A. Frank E. is deceased. Mr. Niver is a Mason and a 
Republican. 

Israel Parshall (deceased) was born in Chemung Co., N. Y., 
May 4, 1815. His parents, Asa and Susannah (Kinney) Parshall, 
were natives of Long Island, the former being a miller. Israel 
came to Havana, Mich., in 1S55, and sent after his family the fol- 
lowing year. He was the founder of Havana (or " Parshallville "), 
and served as its Postmaster until death, and his widow filled the 
office until 1870, when it was discontinued. Mr. Parshall aided to 
organize a Baptist society at Havana, which, after a four years' ex- 
istence, was removed to Oakley. Mr. Parshall was married May 
19,1839, to Minerva Cole, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Cole, 
the former of whom was a native of New York, and died April 11, 
1878. Mrs. Parshall's mother was born on Long Island, and now 
resides in Oceola, Livingston Co., Mich. Of the 7 children 
sent to bless this alliance 6 are living — Lemira, born July 3, 1840; 
Merritt, born April 1, 1844; Ursula, born Jan. 25, 1846; Milton 
C, born Jan. 20, 1850; Alvira E., born April 25, 1852; Cynthia C, 
born Dec. 9, 1855, and Milles L., born Dec. 25, 1864. On Aug. 
25, 1865, Mr. Parshall was fatally wounded by an accidental dis- 



CHESANING TOWNSHIP. 829 

charge of his gun while deer-bunting. lie was a man of sterling 
worth, a father of love and charity to the community, who held him 

in the highest esteem. I Le \va< Republican in politics. Mrs. Par- 
shall was married L)ec. 31, 1872, to (inv Van Gorder, who was born 
at Elmira, X. Y.,Nov. 25, L832. 

S. •/■ Patterson. Chesaning, Mich., was born in Erie Co., Pa., 
March 25, L827. His parents were John and Eliza Patterson, the 
former a native of New York and the latter of Rhode Island. 
When five years of age, Mr. Patterson accompanied his parents to 
Lake- ('<>.. ()., when- he remained for L7 years. He then went to 
Flint, Mich., and worked one year at blacksmithing, and after a 
two year-' residence in Brady tp., came t<> Chesaning, where he 
has since resided. He has worked in the lumber business for 15 
years; also at mason's trade; enlisted in Co. (r, 3d, Mich. Caw, 
and fought in over 50 battles and skirmishes; was married April 
29, 1853, to Samantha Swift, who was born in Ohio in November, 
L835, and daughter of Nathaniel and Sallie Swift. They have 
4 children — Alice A., wife of Orville Chase; Ida, Wilber and 
George. Lua is deceased. Mr. P. is a member of the I. O. 0. F., 
and is a Republican. 

Lewis Pearson, farmer, northwest quarter of the northwest quar- 
ter, see. 4. was born in Sweden in 1840. His parents are Perry 
Johnson and Hannah (Mons) Pearson. Lewis was educated in 
Sweden, and reared on a farm. In 1872 he came to America, 
and located land in Chesaning tp. , where he owns 90 acres of good 
land. He is a Republican, and in 1880 was elected Tp. Assessor. 
lie was married inl86] to Hannah Pearson, but no relative. This 
union has been blessed with 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls. Mr. 
Pearson is one of the substantial farmers of Chesaning tp. Names 
of children — Anna, Ellen, James, Perry, Nelson and Jennie, all at 
home. Mr. Pearson has cleared up 70 acres of timber land by 
his own and family's labor. 

Lyman Perkins, farmer, sec. 14; P. ()., Chesaning; was born in 
< mondaga Co., X. V., June 11, 1812; is a son of Peter and Mary 
Perkins, natives of Vermont; former was a soldier in the war of 
1812, and received pension until his death, which occurred March 
3, L881, at the advanced age of 93 years; Mrs. Perkins died in 
May, l s 7i ; ; subject of sketch was reared on a farm, and in IS 74. 
settled on present farm, which contains 70 acres; is Republican in 
politics; was married Aug. 16, 1851, to Nancy Lock wood, who was 
bom in Ohio, duly L3, 1830; is a daughter of Benjamin and Mary 
Lockwood, natives of New York and Ohio; of '.» children born to 
them. 8 are living — Mary, Lucinda, Lyman J., Emily, Edward, 
Benjamin, Florence and Laura; wife's grandfather served in the 
Continental army, under Gen. Washington. 

Jos, j,], Perrot (deceased) was born in France, March 19, 1821. 
His early life was spent in agricultural pursuits, and in 1842 he 
came to America. He passed three years trading with the Indians 
on the Rocky Mountains. Then went South, and was overseer 
on a plantation a portion of the time from 1845 to 1851. In 1852 

50 



830 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

he went to Detroit, Mich., and was engineer in a saw-mill for 
tour years. He came to this county about 1853, and lived here 
till Ins death, which occurred Oct. 21, 1874. lie was married at 
Detroit, in May, 1853, to Mrs. Josephine Pay wet, widow of Peter 
Paywet (dec.) and daughter of Peter and Dodau Gullerat. Two 
children were given £othem — Adella, wife of Alexander Stephens, 
(married May 10, 1870), was born Feb. 28, 1854, and Adolphe J., 
born March 19, 1856. 

Gmrett Post was born in New York city, Aug. 10, 1824; his 
parents were James and Margaret Post, of Hackensack, N. Y. He 
resided in New York city until 10 years old, when his parents 
died, who were buried the same day and in the same vault, on 
Bedford street. The subject of this sketch then went to Middlesex 
Co., N. J., and lived with his mother's relatives three years; then 
returned to New York city, remaining one year, when he went 
with his uncle to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he was reared to man- 
hood. At the age of 19 he went to Auburn and learnt the black- 
smith's trade; lived there six years, and then worked at his trade 
in Montezuma two years; then went to Waterloo, Seneca Co., and 
ran a shop four years. Feb. 2, 1847, he married Catherine, daugh- 
ter of Peter Maynard; she was born in Waterloo, N. Y., May 11, 
1829; they have had 5 children, of whom 4 are living: James M. 
was born Nov. 17, 1848; Thomas J., March 18, 1850; Eugene B., 
April 25, 1856; Garrett M. H., Feb. 18, 1867; Helen Rachel, born 
May 9, 1852, died July 5, 1866. Mr. Post came to this county in 
October, 1869, locating in Chesaning; in six months he went back 
to Genesee Co., where he had settled in 1851, and in 1875 returned 
to Chesaning. He has been proprietor of a hotel in Chesaning 
four years; has been Justice of the Peace four years. He is agent 
for the N. Y. Fire Ins. Co., and the Phoenix Co., of Brooklyn. He 
is a Republican. His grandfather was in the Revolutionary war. 
His father was once a partner of Cornelius Vanderbilt, in a ferry- 
boat. 

Amos W. Price (deceased) was born at Elizabethtown, N. J., 
March 4, 1811. When 11 years of age he commenced an appren- 
ticeship at trunk-making, where he remained for seven years. For 
25 years previous to his death he was the general agent for Michi- 
gan for Sheldon & Co., book-publishers, of New York city, and 
alway, took a lively interest in all matters pertaining to the educa- 
tional welfare of Michigan. He assisted largely in revising Michi- 
gan's edition of school geographies. He was married June 10, 
1868, to Eliza Clark, who was born at Suffolk, Eng., Dec. 4, 1835, 
and accompanied her parents, Samuel and Mary Clark, to Amer- 
ica, in 1857. Three children were born to them, 2 of whom are 
living — James W., born Jan. 13, 1859, is cashier for Geo. Peck & 
Co., of Detroit; William C, born Nov. 24, 1862. Mr. Price died 
Jan. 18, 1879. Mrs. Price resides on sec. 29, where she located in 
1876. 

Cyrus O. Tubbs was born in Livingston Co., Mich., Aug. 10, 
L852. His parents are Samuel K. and Almeda Tubbs, the former 



CHESANING TOWNSHIP. 831 

of whom is a native of Vermont, and the hitter of New York. 
Cyrus was reared on a farm, and received his educational training 
in the Howell high school. He was married &ug. L2, L875, to 
Eliza Allen. w1h> was born at Chesaning, Sept. L6, 1856, and is a 
daughter of William 1*. and Eliza A. Allen. Some years since 
Mr. Tubbs purchased an interest in the drug store of \)v. Eldred, 
of Chesaning. Ele is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows 
fraternities, and is a lv. of II. and a Democrat. 

Qeorgi II'. Rogers, farmer, sec. 23, was horn at Fort George, 
Canada, April 17. L812; parents were Dean and Mary (Peasley) 
Rogers, natives of Connecticut; father was lost on lakes in 1812 ; 
subject was bound out to work at age of six years; mother and 
sister went to Canada, where latter soon died; family were sepa- 
rated; for many years didn't know each other's whereabouts; sub- 
ject reared a •• farmer's bov;" at age of ~2\ years went to Wolves 
Creek. Wyoming Co., X. V.. ami purchased saw-mill, which he 
ran for 1.") years; then came to Flint, and in 1856 purchased 320 
acres of timbered land on see. 2'.\. Chesaning tp.; was married 
.Ian. 7. L837, to Maria Flanders; 8 children born, 6 living — Levi 
I).. William C, Francis M.. Marcellus D., Maria, wife of William 
Judd, of Nebraska, and .1. Morris; Flora M. and Americas are 
deceased ; subject and wife are members of M. E. Church; he is 
Republican, ami has been Justice of Peace for eight years; High- 
way Commissioner for three years; owns farm of 80 acres. 

Ua/oid B. Smith, farmer, see-. L9 and 20, is a son of William 
and Fliza Smith, early pioneers of Saginaw county. He was born 
in WorcesterCo., Mass.. Feb. L8, L836, and when six years of age 
accompanied his parents to Saginaw county, suffering the toils and 
privations of pioneer life, and the humble educational facilities 
then afforded by a district school. He was married Feb. IT), 1863, 
to Hannah Day. who was born in Oakland Co., Mich., May 15, 
1841, and daughter of Willett and Meda Smith. Mr. Smith owns 
80 acres of well-improved land, and is an advocate of Democracy. 

./ml,/, Will 'mm Smith is one of Chesaning's most worthy pioneers. 
He was born in Worcester < <o., Mass., April 28, l s <><>, a son of ( )liver 
and Hannah Smith, who were natives of Norfolk Co., Mass. Judge 
Smith was reared on a farm, and at quite an early age he learned the 
trade of stone mason. About this time heturned hisfootsteps south- 
ward, intending to locate in North Carolina; but not being satis- 
fied, returned in a short time to New England, walking the entire 
distance. The years L820 and 1821 he was employed at his trade 
in the construction of the Erie canal; he subsequently clerked in a 
store at Pelham, Ma>s.. two years, live years at Cape Cod, and 
one yearat Walpole, Mass.. at which places he followed the butch- 
ering business. He then was engaged at burning coal at Hopkin- 
ton and Princeton for six years, when he returned to the business 
to which he was reared, that of farming, in the town of Leicester, 
Mass., where he remained until L842; he then came to Chesaning, 
where he immediately entered 200 acresofland, on which he soon 



832 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

erected a log shanty. This was on sec. 21. 

He has been a resident of Chesaning from that time up to the 
present, sharing in all the hardships incident to a pioneer life, and 
for nearly half a century has been identified witli the best interests 
of the tp. of Chesaning. In politics he is a Democrat, and has 
filled various offices of honor and trust, among which is that of 
Supervisor three years. In 1845 he was chosen County Judge, 
serving four years, and later was elected and has tilled the office 
of Justice of the Peace for four years. At an early day he was 
appointed Postmaster, and he distributed the mail from his house 
for a number of years. He also acted as mail-carrier from Corunna 
to Saginaw City in those early days. Feb. 2, 1826, Judge Smith was 
married to Miss Eliza Boyden, who was born in Ilillsboro Co., 
N. H., July 5, 1806, a daughter of Jonathan and Tryphena Boy- 
den, both natives of Massachusetts. To this union 7 children 
were born, 6 of whom are living, as follows — Eliza A., now the 
widow of William P. Allen; John L., who married Anna Rhodes; 
Edward, who married Alice Smith; Geo. W. C, who married 
Sophia Day; David B., who married Hannah Day; William, jr., 
who married Electa Hooker, and James 1ST., who married Lydia 
Fuller. 

While living in Massachusetts Judge Smith was commissioned a 
Captain by Gov. Levi Lincoln, in the 1st Regiment of the 1st 
Brigade of the 5th Division of Massachusetts Militia, and acted as 
such for several years. The father and four uncles of Judge Smith 
were soldiers under Gen. Washington during the Revolutionary 
war. Their names were Oliver, Jeremy, James, John and Eliphalet 
Smith. The last-named witnessed the execution of Major Andre. 
Two of the sons of Judge Smith — William, jr., and James N. — 
also served on Federal side in the war of the great Rebellion. 

After an unbroken married life of nearly half a century, Judge 
Smith and his life partner were sundered by the hand of death; 
his estimable and beloved wife departed this life May 17, 1875, 
leaving her aged husband, children, and many friends to mourn 
her loss. She was a good wife, a kind mother and a true woman. 

This family of Smiths were very early settlers in Massachusetts, 
and were of English origin. The father of Judge Smith was born 
Aug. 24, 1762, and died in August, 1844, while his mother died in 
1803, in September. Judge Smith still resides on sec. 21, Ches- 
aning tp. His portrait is given on page 811. 

C. C. Sprague, carpenter, Chesaning, was born in Erie Co., 
Ohio, 1836; parents were Seth and Lucy (Durham) Spragne, both 
of Scotch descent. Subject of sketch came as a missionary in 
1864, and labored several years in this and Genesee counties; 
settled in Taymouth tp. in 1860, and in Chesaning tp. in 1S79 ; 
owns house and lot at Chesaning; was Tp. Clerk one year, High- 
way Commissioner three years, and Justice of the Peace six years 
In politics is Republican. Was married, in 1860, to Wealthy S. 
Peck, of New York. They have 3 children — Lucy L., Sarah 



CHESANING T0WN8HIP. 833 

E. and Cora I. B. Subject and wife are members of the United 
Brethren in Christ. Lucy L. is connected with the Baptist and 
Sarah E. with the M. E. Church. 

Edmund Stearne*, an early pioneer of Chesaning tp., was born 
in Brattleboro Co., Vt., April 28, 1813; parents were Isaac and 
Cynthia Stearnes. Subject of sketch went to Washington Co., Vt, 
at age of eight years, where he learned the painter's trade; came 
to Detroit, Mich., in 1*31:; went to Flint in 1837, and in 1856 
came to Saginaw county; was married Jan. 6, 1833, to Laura M. 
Aniable; of 5 children given them, 4 are living — James, who 
married Emma Logan; Charles W., married to Mary Austin; 
Harriet, wife of Alanson Thayer, and George M., who united in 
marriage with Odele G-illett; Mary is deceased; wife was born in 
Livingston Co., N. Y., Nov. 5, i817, and is daughter of Cornelius 
and Cynthia Amable, natives of New York. Subject owns 40 
acres of land on sec. 23, and is a Democrat. 

0. F. Walker, dealer in furniture, Chesaning, was born in 
Wyoming Co., N. Y., March 13, 1S32. His parents were Jacob 
and Cynthia Walker, the former a native of Chenango, and the 
latter of Oneida Co., N. Y. Mr. Walker passed his boyhood days 
on a farm, and at 12 years of age learned the carpenter's and cabinet- 
maker's trades, under Silas Newcomb, of Pike, Wyoming Co., N. 
Y. He followed his trade at different cities until 1851, when he 
came to Chesaning. He pursued the same avocation till 1869, 
when he established his present business. On April 26, 1855, he 
married Cordelia Mudge, who was the first white child that was born 
in Castello tp., Barry Co., Mich., May 5, 1838, and is a daughter of 
Lorenzo Mudge, a prominent pioneer of Barry county. Three 
children were given to this happy union — Royal O., who married 
Cora Clark; Emma C, a school-teacher, and Burtrand. Mrs. 
Walker died Oct. 19, 1865, and Mr. W. was again married July 
2'.', L866, to Emily A. Merrill, who was born in Wayne Co., Mich., 
in September, L842, and is a daughter of Leander and Emily Merrill, 
of New York. They have 2 children — Libbie and Lena. Mr. 
Walker's grandfather was a soldier in the Continental army. 

El'ilni West/all^ farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Chesaning; was born in 
Chemung Co., X. Y., April 10, 1830, son of Abram and Eliza- 
beth Westfall; former born in New Jersey in 1790, and was soldier 
in war of 1812; died Oct. 9, 1861; latter born Feb. 27, 1790, and 
died Oct. 6, 1875; subject of sketch was reared in native State; in 
1S57 removed to Erie Co., Ohio, where was farmer till war; enlisted 
in Co. C, 55th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and in 1863 had leg broken by 
fall from wagon; was honorably discharged Sept. 23, 1863; was 
engaged in manufacture of salt for some time; came to Chesaning 
on April 23, L867; started for Italy, where he remained one year, 
engaged in the oil trade; was married May 15. 1851, to Amelia 
Van Gorder, daughter of John and Sallie Van Gorder; wife was 
born in Chemung Co., N. Y., July 11, 1828; 4 children born to 
them — James II., who married Carrie Finney, George F., married 



834 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

to Eva O.Gaylord; Albert E. and Judd B.; have 1 adopted child, 
Nellie Porter; subject and wife are members of Disciples of Christ 
society; former is a member of I. O. O. F., and Republican in 
politics. 

Reuben Wiltse, farmer, sec. 4, was born in Canada in 1S01. 
His parents were Cornelius and Patience (Mott) Wiltse, natives of 
the Eastern States, the former of German, and the latter of Irish 
descent. Mr. Wiltse received an ordinary education, but has been 
a Bible student the greater portion of his life. He was converted 
to the gospel of Christ in 1826, and for several years has been a 
local minister in the M. E. Church; also a class-leader. Mr. Wiltse 
is a Republican, and owns a good farm. He came to this State 
in 1856, and located in Chesaning tp. In 1824 he married 
Nancy Brown, a native of Canada. They had 6 children, 4 of 
whom are living. Mrs. Wiltse died in 1839, and a year later Mr. 
Wiltse married Mrs. Ann (Armstrong) Free, who died Dec. 10, 
1880. The names of Mr. Wiltse's children were Peter, Chloe, 
Rhoda, Ezra, Phoebe, Cornelius — all living, except Peter and Cor- 
nelius, deceased. 

William W. Wyman, farmer, sec. 27, was born in Onondaga, 
Co., N. Y., April 12, 1822; father was born at Boston, Mass., Nov. 
29. 1783, and was seaman on board frigate " Constitution ;" was taken 
prisoner three times, and died Sept. 4, 1854, aged 71 years; mother 
was born in Canandaigua Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1790, and died April 
13, 1862; grandfather of subject, Ebenezer Wyman, was a soldier 
under General Washington; subject of sketch received practical 
education in agricultural pursuits; was married Dec. 25, 1846, to 
Harriet Hollenbeck, daughter of Cornelius and Frances Hollen- 
beck; wife was born in New York Feb. 13, 1828; have 1 child 
(adopted), Zalmore Mallory, born March 12,1858; subject is mem- 
ber of Masonic fraternity, is a Democrat, and owns farm of 60 acres. 



FRANK KX.MlTfl TOWNSHIP. 

This important section of the county has been referred to in the 
pages devoted to county history, and again in the sketch of the 
German settlement of the Valley, prepared by Dr. M. C. T. PI 
ner. Therefore it is unnecessary to deal here with what has lteen 
already treated very fully. 

The physical characteristics of the township may be summed up 
in the words, "rolling lands, most productive soil, and great water- 
course." The Cass river enters the township at the southeast cor- 
ner of section 25, flows in its tortuous channel through sections 26, 
27, liS 29 and 30. In the latter section the waters of Dead creek 
enter the river from the southeast. This river and creek may be 
considered the only streams in the township. 

The proposed line of the East Saginaw & St. Clair railroad 
was surveyed through the northern sections. 

The application to organize that portion of the county known as 
township 11 north, of range 6 east, was considered lyy the Board of 
Supervisors Jan. 3, 1854, when it was ordered " that the above- 
described territory be, and the same is, hereby duly organized into a 
township, to be known and designated by the name of Franken- 
muth, which said township is described as being within the limits 
and under the jurisdiction of Saginaw county, in the State of Mich- 
igan ; and be it further ordered that the first annual meeting for 
election of township officers in said township be held at the old 
church in said township of Frankenmuth on the first Monday in 
April next ensuing, and that the following named persons, to-wit: 
G. A. Ranzenberger, G. M. Shafer and A. Koch, being three elect- 
ors of said township, be, and they are, hereby designated and 
appointed to preside at such election, and to perform all the duties 
required by the statute." 

The first township meeting was held at the old church, April 3, 
1854, with G. A. Ranzenberger, Moderator; G. M. Shaefer and A. 
Koch, Inspectors, and George Schmidt, Clerk. 

Geo. Schmidt was elected Supervisor; A. Ranzenberger, Clerk; 
John A. List. Drain Commissioner; John G. Hubinger, I. L. 
Krafft, I. G. Burlein, Commissioners of Highways; Geo. M. 
Shaefer, J. M. Gazel, J. S. Kummel, John Baldwin, Constables; J. 
M. Hubinger, School Inspector; August Koch and John Schroll, 
Overseers of the Poor; J. M. Burlein, J. O. Walter, J. M. Kief, J. 
M. List, J. M. Arnold, Overseers of Highways; and N. II Gan- 
boii, John M. Arnold, Geo. Schmidt, Justices of the Peace. The 
following list contains the names of the principal township officers 

down to the present time: 

(835) 



836 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



SUPERVISORS. 



Geo. Schmidt 1854-'8 

Geo. M. Schaefer 1859-'60 

Geo. Schmidt 1861 

John A. List 1862'3 

Geo. M. Schaefer 1864-'6 



John L. Krafft 1867-'73 

Geo. M. Schaefer 1874-'8 

John L. Krafft 1879-'80 

John M. Gugel 1881 



CLERKS. 



A. Ranzenberger 1854 

Geo. M. Schaefer 1855-'6 

John S. Rummel 1857-'68 



John A. List 1869-'70 

Geo. M. Schaefer 1871-'3 

John M. List 1874-'81 



TREASURERS. 



John A. List. 
John A. List. 



.1854 
.1855-' 



T. Haubenstricker 
John M. Hubinger 



.1858-'68 

.1869-'81 



JUSTICES. 



N. H. Ganson, J. M. Arnold, 

Geo. Schmidt 1854 

John M. Hubinger 1855 

Geo. A. Ranzenberger 1850 

John M. Arnold 1857 

Geo. Schmidt 1858 

John M. Hubinger 1859 

Geo. M. Williams 1860 

John M. Arnold 1861 

Geo. A. Ranzenberger 1862 

John M. Hubinger 1863 

Geo. M. Williams 1864 

John Gretzinger 1865 

Geo. A. Ranzenberger 1866 

John G. Brieter 1867 



Geo. M. Williams 1868 

Geo. M. Schaefer 1869 

Geo. M Schaefer 1870 

John (4. Brieter 1871 

Fred. W. Koch, Geo. L.- Beyer. .1872 

Geo. M. Williams .1873 

John L. Krafft, Geo. M. Schaefer. 1874 

John G. Rummell 1875 

John M.Jordan 1876 

Geo. M. Williams 1877 

Fred. K. Schenck 1878 

John G. Rummell 1879 

John M. Jordan 1880 

A. C. Payne 1881 



The present officers of the township are John M. Gugel, Super- 
visor; John M. List, Clerk; John M. Hubinger, Treasurer; 
Lorenzo Hubinger, Superintendent of Schools; Henry Heinle, 
School Inspector; Geo. L. Beyer, Commissioner of Highways; 
William Heine, Newell Simons, B. B. Feigner and Christian Har- 
rold, Constables, and the Justice named above. 

The churches of the township are elegant buildings. That 
erected in 1880 west of the village is a brick edifice, with stone fac- 
ings, mullioned windows, and a general^ Gothic appearance. It 
forms the finest building devoted to Christian worship outside the 
two cities of the county. 

Anotlie frame building constructed in 1880, is located within the 
village of Frankenmuth. It is well-ordered, commodious and a 
telling monument to the zeal of the German settlers. 

The schools are German almost in every feature. The element- 
ary American courses are taught, but the cultivation of the Ger- 
man language is the main object. They may be considered 
denominational in the fnllese sense of the term. 






FRAN K K\ Ml" I'll Tl >WNSHIP 



837 



TOWNSHIP LANDS. 



The following roll of early land-buyers is characteristic, for the 
reason that each purchaser has been an occupying proprietor. In 
many instances the patentee settled in the township long before 
he became the owner of the soil: 



.1 . I). Riethmaier, sec 3 Ocl 3, 1853 
Conrad Riethmaier, sec 3. July 11, 1853 
Jacob Riethmaier see 3, Nov '.27. 1854 
John Schroll, Bec3, May 16, L850 
Gottlieb Fink, sec 3, Bepl 6, 1853 
John M. Keif, sec3, Nov 28, 1854 
Johann s, Laux, Bee 3, Nov 29, 1854 
Frederick Billmuer, sec 4, July 2, 1853 

B. M. Hockthancer,sec4, Mar 28, 1854 
B.R. Weidenmuller, sec4, Dec 13, 1850 
JobannS. Laux, sec 4. Dec 1, is."ii 
Cbria Eockthancer, sec 4, Jan 16, 1854 
JobuG. Roth, see 4, July 11. 1854 

J. J. Nassett, sec 4, Ocl is, 1853, and 

June 28, 1853 
Fr.ni/ J. Eisinhaner, sec 5, Dec "2. ls.V2 
Darwin A. Pettibone, sec 5, Nov 28, 1854 
John L. Stetlang, sec 5, Aim 2, 1852 
John G. Schnell, sec 5, Jan in, 1855 
Darwin A. Pettibone, sec 5, Dec it, 1814 
Augustus Luli, sec 6, Dec 11, 1854 
Lorenzo Hodgmau, sec 6, Dec lt,l s 54 
Mortimer Wadhams, sec 6, Mar 21. 1837 
William Miller, sec 7, Nov 28, 1854 
Mori. Wadhams, sec 7. Mar 21, 1837 
John P. Has^. sec s, Dec 14. 1854 
Frederick Bernthal, sec 8, Mar I-"., is,-):; 
William Miller, sec 8, Nov 28, 1854 
J. J.Buchinger, sec 8, April 26, 1854 
Darw.A. Pettibone sec 8, Nov 28, 1854 
G. C. Bernthal, sec 8, Mir 13, 1853 
Johann L. Bernthal, sec 8, Mar. 10, L853 
Johann ('. Weper, sec 8, March 13, 1853 

C. B. Biegins, sec 8, Dec 11. 18.") 1, and 

Dec 27, 1856 
Adam Schrnll.sec 8, Feb 21. 1854 
Johann G. Burlein, sec 8, March5, 1853 
Patrick McDavid, sec 9, July 12, 1849 
John G. Rogers, see Augl6, 1852, and 

Aug 24, 1852 

je M. rMner, 3e : 9, Sept 8, 1*52 
Johann Zchender sec 9 Julj 6 185 I 
John s. Laux, - •>■ 9, Sepi 2.' 1863 
A . Auernbamuier, se • 9, < >c1 10, 1854 
Christian Lang, sec H>. Ocl I. 1852 
J. M. Beldner, sec 10 Mar Hi. 1854 
LeonarJ Orl ter, sec 10, Dec 2. 1852 
John L. l'.iermu. se : 10, M ly 2 i. 1853 
Johann Mosner, sec 10, Dec 4, 1852 
John M. Long, sec 10 Sepi 8, 1852 
Johann A Kid, sec Id. \ns 2. 1852 
Jacob Mosner, sec 10, Dec 1. 1852 
Johann M Gey sr, sec 10. Ocl L9, is:,:, 
Johann Strochlein, sec L0, Feb 13, 1S54 
F. & P. M. R. R., s,c 11, Dec 1. 1862 
Jac. Lachemmaier, sec 11. July 31, 1851 



G. Fred. Bobbs, sec 12. May 25, 18G3 

F. \- P. M. R. R., sec 13, Dec 1, 1862 
Geo. M. Bchiefer, sec 13, May 30, is:.:; 
Jacob Schwartz, sec 13, July 13, 1853 
Avery L. Malin, sec 13, Dec 6, 1854, and 

April 1, 1856 
John A Randall, sec 1:5, Oct 1:5,1854, 

and Nov 21, 1855 
Jacob Wolzlein, sec 1:5, Nov 6, 1855 
Johann M. Arnold, sec 1:5, Nov 6, 1855 
Johann G. Schiefer, sec 14, Dec 14, 1855 
Peter Schlukebier, sec 14, April 30,1855 
Jacob Wolze, sec 14, Dec 11, 1855 
Adam Schneider, sec 14, April 17, 1856 
Martin Ilaspel, sec 14, April 11, 1855 
Christof Borlein, sec 14, Mar 29, 1855 
John G. Ordner.sec 14, April 11, 1S55 
John Kainath sec 14, Mar 10, 1855 
John Denter, sec 14, March 16, 1855 
Michael Lacker, sec 14, March 16, 1855 
J. Leon. Beight, sec 14. Oct 22, 1852 
Christ of Tucker, sec 14, April 5, 1855 
J. II. Beyerlein, sec 14, Feb 8, 1855 
Leonard Ilaerauf, sec 14, July 12, 1854 
J. L. Grillenberger, sec 15, May 2, 1854 

and Sept 7, 1855 
John G. Ortner, sec 15, Feb. 10, 1855 
J. L. Oberheuser, sec 15, Mar 13, 1856 
Leonhard Rodel, sec 15, Aug 2 and 20, 

1852, and Sept 6, 1854 

G. L. Bickel, sec 15. Dec 20, 1854, ami 

April 16, 1856 
J. L. Veitengruber, sec 15, Jan 2:5, 1*54 

and Nov 1, 1854 
Martin Baspel, sec 15, March 1. 1854 
Johann J. Roth, sec 15. Aug 19,1852, 

and May 2:5. 1853 
Frederick Krauss, sec 16, Mar 12. Is.",:; 
Johann Masner, sec Hi. Oct 14, 1854 
George P. Krauss, sec 16, Jan 22, 1853 
Matthias Masner, sec. 16, Oct 14, ls.54 
Johann Losel, sec Hi, March 17, 1855 
John Neuchterlein, sec 16, Mar 30,1855 
Michael Starn, sec Mi. March 12, 1853 
<ic). Adam Bickel, sec Pi, Feb 5, 1855 
Adam Bickel, sec Hi, March 12. 1853 
Geo. 1'. Russ, sec Hi, May 14. 1853 
Adam Schroll. sec Hi. March 26, 1855 
Geo. L. Brenner, sec Hi, Oct 10, 1853 
Frederick Jordan, sec IT, Mar 5. 1853 
J o. Braner, sec 17. Mar is, is.""):; 
Johann M. Gugel, sec 17, Mar 5, is.,;; 
Elijah B. Fuller, sec 17, Dee 11, 1853 
Simon Law. sec 17, March 20. 1S:!7 
Caleb Embury, sec 17. March 28, 1837 
- Arnold, sec 17. June 2, 1856 



838 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY 



Mort. Wadhams, sec IS. Mar2i,1837 

Caleb Embury, sec is, Mar 28, 1837 
Johann L. Rodamer, see 18, Feb 10, 1854 
Nathan Gibson, sec IS, Nov 17, 1853 
George Drain, sec 18, Jan 9, 1855 
George Schmidt, sec 19, Dec 24, 1852 
Gideon Lee, sec 19, Feb. 23, 1837 
Thomas P. Sawyer, sec 19, Sept 14, 1836 
J. G. Deinderf-r, sec 19, Mar 21, 1853 

F. & P. M. R. R., sec 19, Dec 1, 1862 
PaulusL. Gruber, sec 19. Nov 6, 1851 
Henry Amrein, sec 19, April 14, 1851 
Henry Simon, sec 19, Jan 30, 1856 
Johann Herzog, sec 1!), Aug 2, 1852 
George Schmidt, sec 2 >. May 7, 1S52 
Johann Sc'warz, sec 20, Aug 20, 1852 
Benedict Kaiser, sec 20, April 5, 1852 
J. L. Stirgmaun, sec 20, Ail? 2, 1852 
J. L Weiss, sec 20, Aug 2, 1852 
Frederick Jordan, sec 20, Sept & lg52 
J. M. List, se: 20, Jan 5 and 7, 1853 
John L. Rodamer, sec 20, April 20, 1847 
John Haas, sec 20, Jan 12, 1852 
Johann Fischhaber, sc- 20, Get 1, 1851 
Henry Slelzreid, sec 20, June 22, 1847 
John*G. Burleiu, sec 20, June 22, 1847 
Martin Haspel, sec 21, Feb 4, 1853 
Matthias Wagner, sec 21, Jan 19, 1817, 

and Dec "4, 1852 
Geo. L. Brenner, sec 21, Aug 20, 1852 
Geo. Schmitzer, se>, 21, July 12, 1852 
John G. Hoerlein, sec 21, July 2, 1S52 
John M. Stern, sec 21, June 22, 1S47 
Geo. M. Stern, sec 21. May 4, 1848 

G. M. Barenthal, sec 21, April 14, 1816, 

and June 2, 1846 
J. G Schleier, sec 22, Aug 2, 1852 
Johann Beyerlein, sec 22, July 12, 1854 
G. A. Ranzenberger, sec 22, Jan 20, 1852 
G. L. Brenner, sec 22, Sept 13, 1852 
John L Kraft, sec 22, Sept 28, 1846 
M. Vietengruben, sec 22, Mav 4, 1846 
Frederick Weber, sec 22, July Ml, 1845 
Johann L. Hecht, sec 23, Dec 12, 1853 
Chris. Horlein, sec 23, June 2, 1846 
•G. C Palmrenter, sec 23, April 20, 1847 
John Schroll, sec 23, June 19, 1851 
Johann H. Kenter, sec 23, July 17, 1°51 
Paulus Bardel, sec 23, Oct 16, 1851 
J. M. Arnold, sec 23, Jan S, 1852, and 

April 18, 1854 
Johann G. Bonn, sec 23, Sept 20, 1852 
Ludwig Reichle, sec 23, Oct 15, 1852 
J.G. Rebensberii'er, sec 23, April 20,1853 
Geo. M. Ortner, sec 23. Nov 1, 1853 
Johann W. Kern, sec 23, Feb 10, 1854 
John W. Arnold, sec 23, Jan 8, 1852 
Johann M. Arnold, sec 23, April 18, 1854 
Ludwig Riechle, sec 23, June 13, 1848 
Silas S. Bliss, sec 24, Mav 23, 1S54 
Jonathan Taylor, sec 24, Sept 19,1854 
Levi W. Hawkins, sc- 24, Nov. 10, 1853 
Nathan. B. Harmon, sec 24, May 21, 1855 
Frederick Taylor, sec 24, May 21. 18">5 
Geo. Karnath, sec 24, Aug. 16, 1855 



Horace Hovt, sec 24, Nov. 20, 1855 
John G. Scuiefer, sec 24, July 2 1852 
Lovica Smith, sec 24,' Oct. 2, 1851 
A. Sill, sec 24, June 6, and Oct 2, 1851 
Sam'l L. Lawson, sec 24, Mav 22, 1854 

C. H. P. Maxwell, sec 24, Aug 30, 1850 
Philander Bartlett, sec 24, Oct 2, 1851 
Geo. M. Schiefer, sec 24, June 19, 1851 
John M. Arnold, sec 24, Mav 13, 1848 
Thomas O. Reed, sec 25, Feb 11, 1846 
Arthur Andrus, sec 25, Aug 4 1846 
Amos Davis, sec 25, Dec 7, 1846 
Newell H. Lampson, sec 25, July 8, 1853 
I). Houghton, sec 25, April 26, 1836 
Joseph A. Ripley, sec 25, July 25 and 

Aim- 1, 1848. 

D. Houghton, sec 26, April 26, 1836 
Thos. L. L. Brent, sec 26, April 11, 1836 
Wm. Finley, jr.. sec 26, June 20, 1 83 i 
lohn M. Arnold, sec 26, June 22, 1847 
J M. Hubinger, sec 26, May 4, and June 

2, 1846 
Arthur C. Andrus, sec 26, Aug 4, 1846 
P. A. Cowdrey, sec 27, Oct 24, 1835 

F. Weber, sees 27 and 28, July 31, 1815 
Geo. M. Barenthal, sec 28. April 14, 1846 
J. Siiterdink, sec 28, April 27, 1846 
Calvin Hotchkiss, sec 28, Jan 4, 1836 
H. G. Hotchkiss, sec 28, Jan 4, 1836 
Leman B. Hotchkiss, sees 28 and 29, 

Jan 4 1836 
Calvin Hotchkiss, sec 29, Jan. 4, 1836 
Hiram G. Hotchkiss, sec 29, Jan 4, 1836 
J. M. Bierlien, sec 29, Auir 31, 1848 
Johu A. List, sec 29, June 2, 1846 
Geo. M. Bare ithal, sec 29, June 2, 1843 
J. F. Lotter, sej 2), Jan 5, 1853 
Thos. P. Sawyer, sec 30, Sept 14, 1836 
Peter A. Cowdrey, sec 30, Oct 23, 1835 

G. D. Williams, sec 30. May 2, 1835 
Eph. S. Williams, sec 30, Mav 2, 1835 
Schuyler Hodges, sec 30, May 2, 1835 
Geo L. Zink, sec 30, July 5, 1851 
John Schwarz, sec 30, Jan 5, 1853 

J. F. Rodhamer, sec 30-. March 10, 1855 
Dan'l H.Fitzhugh, sec 30, Sept 13, 1S41 
JoJin F. Lotter, sec 30, Nov 24, 1853 
Josiah Beers, sec 31, Mar 21, 1836 ' 
Stephen Beers, sec 31, March 21, 1836 
Peter F. Ewer, sec 31, July 13, 1836 
Nicholas Bouck, sec 31, Aim' 24, 1836 
John G. Gebhard, sec 31, Au? 24, 1836 
David Dietz, sec 31, Aug a4,"l836 
Juba Barrows, sec 31, April 28, and Aug 

25, 1836 
John W. Edmunds, sec 32, Nov 10, 1836 
William Stitt, sec 32. Jan 19, 1855 
Stephen Beers, sec 32, March 21, 1836 
John Wooding, sec 32, Jan 13, 1852 
Nicholas Bouck. sec 32. Aug 25, 1835 
J. G. Gebhard, jr., sec 32 Aug 25, 1835 
David Dietz, sec 32, Aug25. 1835 
David Ellis, sec 33, Od i9, 1836 
Wait Beach, sec 33, Sept 21, 1836 
Michael Schumann, sec 33, July 6, 1853 



KRANKENMUTH TOWNSHIP. 



839 



J. G. Hubbinger, sec 33, Nov. 7. 1850 
Johann A..Buergen, sec ;> > : ! Nov. 7. 1850 
John Liniburg, sec 33. Sepl 20, i s ">:; 
Win. Finley, jr., sec 34, A.ug 25, 1836 
Martin JZucker, see 34, Dec 28, 1850 
J. Hubinger. sec 34, March 1, 1852 
Win. McCullock, sec 34, Sepl 27, 1886 
.1. Ewer, sec 34, July 13 and 14, 
T. L. L. Brent, sec 35, April 11, 1836 
Wm. Finley, jr., sec 35, June 20, 1836 
Albeil Miller.sec 35, Dec 3, 1846 



D. Southerlacd, sec, 35, Dec. 3, 1864 
John Gilmore. sec. 35, Jan 19, and Nov. 

28, 1854 
P. F. Ewer, sec 35. July 13,1836 
I). Houghton, sec 36, April 20, is:sii 
Geo. W. Lee. Bee 36, July 29, 1850 
Alanson Calkin, sec 36, Nov 11, 1851 
Geo. Raymond, sec 36, Nov 1, 1852 
Thoa W. Perkins, sec 36, Mar 12, 1862 
David H. Hains, sec 36, Sept 10, 1851 



The greater number of those patentees became permanent set- 
tlers, and to-day live in the enjoyment of happy homes. The Ger- 
man people of Frankenmutli make good citizens. During' the 
war the people of this township adopted rather a novel way to till 
their quota. The town is a German settlement; the pastor is a 
regular patriarch, whose counsel is sought in temporal as well as in 
spiritual matters, lie called his parish together, and announced 
that the quota of the town must be tilled, and that he had selected 
certain of the young unman ied men to go. He read their names 
and told them they or their fathers must go. Every one of 
them enlisted instantly, and were mustered into the 31st Regi- 
ment August 27, 1864. 

PERSONAL. 

The following sketches are of the most prominent settlers of 
Frankenmutli : 

John Leonard Bemthal, one of the oldest settlers of Franken 
ninth tp., was born in Bavaria, Germany, 1821. In the spring of 
l v 4.">. in company with seven others, he came to Monroe. Mich., 
at which place they remained a short time, waiting for parties to 
meet them to conduct them to their new home. After they 
arrival they again resumed their journe} 7 , this time by lake, for the 
naw country. Arriving at the mouth of the Saginaw, thre 
were compelled to lie there several days, waiting for a favorable 
wind to carry them up the river ; becoming tired of waiting, they 
attached a rope to their boat and towed it by hand to Saginaw City, a 
distance of some 25 miies. After arriving at Saginaw they directly 
proceeded to that portion of Saginaw Co. now known as Franken- 
mutli tp., it then being an unbroken wilderness; there they located 
their land.- and commenced the development of them. The first 
few years were wrought with hardship, which none of to-day can 
realize. Still, with untiring energy, they struggled on, until 
to-day. he can look out upon 400 acres of fine fertile tields, 
upon which he has placed improvements second to none in his 
vicinity. 

In 1846 he was married to Miss Mary M. Veitengruber, a na- 
tive of Bavaria, Germany, her parents being among the early 
settlers. Their family consists of the following children : Geo. 
Leonard (married), Maggie B. (married). George M., John George, 



840 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Mary R. and John Conrad. All are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

John G. Breiter, farmer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 
1S35. In 1852, in company with his sister, he emigrated to the 
United States and settled upon his present farm of 80 acres, tak- 
ing it in a wild state and bringing it to its present productiveness 
only by indomitable energy and perseverance, Mr. Breiter was 
married in 1859, to Mary Ann Kempf, who has borne him 6 children, 
all living at the old homestead. Mr. B. has been Justice of the 
Peace two terms, and served as School Director for 2< > years. He 
is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

Fredric W. Eilrich, farmer, was born in Prussia in 1832. His 
father, Michael, was a butcher by trade. He emigrated to this 
country in 1855, first settling in Rhode Island; thence to Canada, 
and in 1858 to Saginaw county. He worked at East Saginaw for 
three years, then bought his present farm, and gave a valuable 
gold watch for a team with which to farm it. Lie worked in the 
timber during the winter, and on the farm during the summer sea- 
sons. He now owns a good, fertile farm, all the product of his 
own energies. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

Benjamin B. Feigner, another of the enterprising young citi- 
zens of Frankenmuth village, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 
1851. In 1871 he came to America. Though homeless and 
friendless, a stout heart beat within. After seeking for work 
from numerous parties, he finally obtained employment upon a 
railroad as track-repairer. This was rather severe work for the 
boy who had been reared in comfort, his parents owning one of 
the largest flouring mills in Leipsic. Ben was kept at school un- 
til he had gained a good education, when he was placed in charge 
of his fathers books, — quite a change from what he first engaged 
in; still he persevered, struggling with fate, until in 1873 we find 
him at Frankenmuth, Saginaw Co. In 1878 he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Maggie Hoffman, of Frankenmuth, her parents rep- 
resenting one of the pioneer families. They have 2 children — 
Minnie M. and Ben. G. In 1878 Mr. F. bought the old Exchange 
Hotel property, which he has thoroughly improved and refitted. 
At all times Ben, with his pleasing countenance, is found at his 
post. 

John GutjiiL farmer, sec. 21, was born in Germany, March 5, 
1830, a son of George and Elizabeth Gugal. In 1860 the family 
came to America, and settled in this tp., where they remained until 
the death of George Gugal. in 1871. John was with his parents 
on the farm until he was seven years of age, when he commenced 
to learn the trade of miller, at which he worked three years in 
the old country and seven years in this country. Dec. 29, 1852, 
lie married Anna B. Bernthal, who was born in Germany, Feb. 11, 
1830, and died in this country in 1872. By this marriage there 
were 12 children, 8 of whom are living — John C, Barbara (wife of 
Geo. Roedel). Paul L., Catherine, Matthew, Elizabeth and Mar- 
garet. Afterward he married Knndegunda Weiss, who was born 



FRANKENMUTH TOWNSHIP. 841 

in Germauy in L836, and died in 1878. The 2 children of this 
union were Christian and Balthus. In November, 1870, Mr. G. 
married Baletha Haiischton, who also was burn in Germany, Jan. 
13, 1836, and who had 4 children by a former husband, namely: 
Paul. Catherine, Elizabeth ami Babetha. Mr. Gugal owns 400 
acres of good land; has been Constable and Highway Commissioner, 
and is at present Supervisor. He commenced in life with no 
property; worked industriously, first at $3 per month, then S4. 
and so on up, until he lias surrounded himself with his present good 
fortune. Is a Democrat and a German Lutheran. 

John G. G"ijer was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1845, emi- 
grating to this country in L869; represents the brewing 1 interest of 
Fraukenmuth village, which lie bought in 1874. He has been one 
of the successful men of his village; commencing with but a limited 
sum, he has by strict economy succeeded in accumulating quite a 
fair property. In 1874 he was married to Miss Mary 15. Roedel, 
daughter of one of Franken ninth's most esteemed citizens. The 
following are the names of his children — Gertrude, Johnnie, Katie 
and Freddie. Mr. G. and lady are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

Fred Heine, merchant, Franken muth tp., was born in Germany 
in 1854. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Heine, natives of 
Germany, who emigrated to America when Fred was but six 
months of age. They located in Saginaw county, where the sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared on a farm until eight years of age. 
He then went into his father's store as an assistant, and has been 
engaged in the mercantile trade since that period. He carries 
a good stock of groceries, hardware and crockery, and transacts a 
good business. 

John Adam Held, farmer, sec. 30, came to this State in 1852, 
locating on 50 acres of wild and unbroken land, on sec. 30. This 
he cleared, and by subsequent additions has increased his acreage 
to 210. In 1856 he married Anna M. Schnell, and the result of 
this union has been the birth of 12 children. Mr. Held is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church, and an honored and respected citizen 
of Frankenmuth tp. 

The ELubi/nger family originally came from Hungary, where 
they left on account of religious persecution, their flight being 
made a short time before what is known as the " Thirty Years' War" 
in Europe. For Ave days previous to their escape they were hid in 
a hog-pen behind some pea-straw, having nothing to eat. Three 
brothers and 2 sisters at length arrived in the Kingdom of Bavaria, 
and located on a river known as the Aurach. Frauenaurach, now 
a large village, Herzogenaurach, a small city, and Muenigaurach, 
quite a city, were founded by the three brothers respectively. 
They built mills on the Aurach, one of which is still retained in 
the family, milling having, in fact, been the profession of the fam- 
ily for upward of 300 years. 



842 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

John Mathias H., born in 1820, and John George H., born in 
1823, at Louismuehle, near Ausbach, Bavaria, South Germany, 
after receiving a good common-school education, worked with their 
father, John G. Hubinger, in the mill — John M. until he was 
18 years old, theu eight years at different places of the country. 

In 1816 they started for Frankenmuth, Mich., where the year 
before a colony had been planted among the Indians to christian- 
ize them, with Loche, Pastor of Neuendettelsau, Bavaria, being the 
projector, and Rev. August Craemer the missionary. The party 
comprised about 65 persons. Just before going aboard the vessel, 
they having their own pastor, 10 couples were married at Bremen. 
Among them were John M., marrying Miss Anna P. Walter, a 
native of Rossstall, Bavaria, and John G. was united with Miss 
Rosina Barbara Hospel, a farmer's daughter from Bavaria. Ar- 
riving safely at New York and Detroit, they started for Saginaw 
on a sail boat, which took them nearly two weeks. This was May, 
1846. From Saginaw they came direct to this place. There was a 
wagon road cut out to Bridgeport ; from there nothing but a trail, 
only about six farms being cleared in the tp. 

The tirst season they built a log house on the bank of the Cass river. 
In 1847 the brothers commenced to build a saw-mill, using water 
power, completing it in 1848, this being the first mill in the tp. 
Shortly afterward they added a flouring mill. In 1851 the 
mill business was bought out by John George, and it has grown 
under his direction ever since. John M. started in 1851 a store, 
this being the second store in the town, where " Uncle John " can 
be found every day serving cheerfully the many customers who 
crowd his store. In 1874 he built a steam flouring mill, " Star of 
the West," which his son Lorenz now controls. Tie owns some 
300 acres, though has given to each of his [sons a farm when 
they started for themselves. He owns a number of village lots and 
has sold a number. He has been Postmaster for 11 years, 
Treasurer of the tp. many years, was re-elected, and is now 
holding that office. He has been a Trustee of the St. Lorenz 
(Lutheran) Church for many years, and has done much to build up 
that congregation of 235 male voting members. His 8 chil- 
dren are — Margareth, who died at 18 years of age ; John George, 
who married Miss Burger, is a farmer ; Lorenz, who married Miss 
Maria Fuerbringer, and is proprietor of " Star of the West " mill 
(steam flouring), Frankenmuth; Elizabeth, married to Mr. List, 
having store at Salzburg, Bay Co., Mich.; George Leonhard, farmer 
in Birch Hun tp.; Johanna E., married to Mr. Leonhard Heine, 
storekeeper at Frankenmuth; Gotfried John, Mary, Christoph, at 
home. 

John George Hubinger, above mentioned, has even done better 
than his brothers. To his flouring; mill and saw-mill he added a 
steam flouring mill, planing mill and tannery. He is running a 
general merchandise store and a large lumber business, cutting a 
large number of logs in his own pinery every winter, and buying 



I i: WKKN'Ml'TH T0WN8HIP. 843 

oak, etc., logs t'.»r the market. His long timber is cut at East Sagi- 
naw, lie has been Town Treasurer several times. He is doing 
the largest business in the town, and no man has done more for the 
community, nor is there a more respected citizen. His children 
are— John Leonhard, who married Miss Raquett; John Matthias, 
who married Miss Anna Zehnder; Adam, who married Gertrude 
Schluckebier; George Michael; Johannes. deceased; Anna Barbara; 
Anna Margareth, who married Mi-. Adam List, a carpenter living 
in the village, and Anna Maria. 

The sons are all engaged in some branch of the. business of their 
father, and promise well. They are all members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

./ J/. Hubirhger, jr., son of one of the oldest and most respected 
families of Fran ken muth, was born in the above mentioned place 
in 1850. His early days were passed at the village school, after 
which he was placed in charge of one of the numerous business 
interests which his father represents, and which he has conducted 
up to the present writing, when he has bought the flouring mill 
interest of his father, to which he will add his lumbering interests. 
In 1874 he was married to Miss Anna B. Zehnder. of one of the 
first families in the tp. Emma B. J. and Amelia K. comprise the 
members of his family living; John O. II. is deceased. John M. 
jr., is one of the live, energetic young men who believe in " making 
hay while the sun shines." 

John L. Krafft was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1S26. His 
ather, George Krafft, was a farmer and Assessor, a well-educated 
man; his mother was a Miss Christiane Bierlein, the daughter of a 
farmer; their family consisted of 3 boys and 6 girls. In 1S4<; he 
tore loose from friends and home to join the new colony of Frank- 
enmuth, arriving here in the fall, coming from Detroit overland and 
experiencing great difficulties. lie located 160 acres in sec. 22, 
having only a few hundred dollars to commence on. He has cleared 
up almost the entire quarter section, and made all improvements, 
lie has in all 232 acres. He has been an active public man. He 
has been Supervisor for nine years, first Commissioner of High- 
ways, School Inspector, and is holding the School Directorship now. 
He has been Elder of the Lutheran Church for many years. He 
was married in Bremen in 1*40* to Elizabeth Laemmerman, a native 
of Bavaria, who died some years ago. Their children are — Rosina 
Barbara, wife of II. M. Schreiner, a merchant in this town; Anna 
Margareth. wife of Henry Partenfelder, living at Bay City; Anna 
Barbara, John George, John Jacob, Anna Maria, John George 
ly-ederick, living at the old homestead. He is respected, and his 
counsel has often been sought and followed to good purpose. We 
cannot have too many of such citizens. 

Fred. W. Koch, M. D., was born Sept, 4, ls4J, at Regensburg 
(Ratisbon), Bavaria, situated on the Danube river; he emigrated 
with the family to America, in 1847, where his father settled, at 
Frankenmuth. lie entered Concordia College at St. Louis, Mo., 



844 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

August, 1854, and graduated in June, 1862. From September, 
1862, to August, 1863, he gave private lessons in ancient and mod- 
ern languages, and prepared to go to Europe to attend lectures at 
some of the universities. The Government order forbidding any 
one to leave the United States if above the age of 17 years, frus- 
trated this plan. lie went to Philadelphia, Pa., and attended 
lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, in September, 1863. He 
graduated at that institution in March, 1866, secured a position in 
I'dockley Hospital and in a chemical laboratory in Kensington; 
passed an examination for the army and navy, and was suddenly 
called home in June, 1S66, by the precarious state of his father's 
health. He has practiced medicine at Frankenmuth since then. 

Henry Ran, one of the active business men of his village 
(Frankenmuth), was born in Prussia, in 1811. In 1865, in com- 
pany with his parents, he emigrated to America, landing at Quebec, 
where they remained a short time, and again moved westward, this 
time locating at Frankenmuth, Saginaw Co. His mother died in 
1854; father is still living upon the farm near the village. In 1867 
Henry was married to Miss Mary C. Pauke, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and they have 3 children— Agnes E. W., Augusta G. E., 
and Charles P. Mr. and Mrs. Rau are members of the Lutheran 
Church. In 1870 Mr. P. opened a shingle manufactory, which 
turns out yearly about one and one-half million, which business 
has added another spoke to the wheel of enterprise in his little 
village. 

Valentine Raupp, by occupation a butcher, was born in Detroit, 
Mich., in 1854; when about seven years old his parents moved to 
East Saginaw, where they still reside. In 1876 Valentine was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Schmitzer, of Frankenmuth, where her parents 
still reside. They have 3 children — John M., Rudolph M. and Her- 
man J. In 1877 Mr. R. located in Frankenmuth village, where he 
carries on his trade, both wholesale and retail. 

Henry Reichle, one of Frankenmuth's energetic mechanics, was 
born in Philadelphia in 1845. His father's name was Lewis; his 
mother's was Martha E. (nee Shanewalt) Reichle. In 1848 they 
came to Saginaw count}', locating in Frankenmuth, where his 
mother still resides, his father having died in 1879. Henry's early 
days were passed at Frankenmuth. After arriving at man's estate, 
he went to Ann Arbor, and engaged as an apprentice to learn the 
blacksmith's trade. After becoming proficient in his art, he started 
on a tour through different States, working in the principal cities 
through which he passed. In 1867 he was married, at Cleveland, 
to Miss Martha H. Ernst, who was born at Vermillion, Ohio. His 
family consists of 5 children — Emma, Mary, Ernst, Henry and 
Julius. His home and shops are pleasantly located in Franken- 
muth village, where he does a thriving business in carriage and 
wagon-making, besides general blacksmithing. 

John M. Rodammer, farmer, came to this country with his par- 
ents, John Leonard and Margueretta Barbara Rodammer, in 1846, 



i KAN K K.N ML" Til TOWNSHIP. 845 

with 12 other families, and, soon after arrival, settled on his 
present farm, where lie lias since resided. He married Kate Laesel, 
whose father was an early pioneer of Frankenmnth tp. They have 
6 children. Mr. Rodammer is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

George L. JRoedel, farmer, was born in Bavaria, German}', and 
in 1>52 accompanied his father to this State, locating in Franken- 
muth tp., where he remained until 1861. He then enlisted in Co. 
B, 16th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and in the latter part of the war the}' 
were assigned to the 2d Brig., 3d Div., 14th Army Corps, partici- 
pating in "Sherman's March to the Sea," and the final grand 
review at Washington, D. C. Mr. Roedel returned to Franken- 
muth, where he has since been engaged in farming. In 1873 he 
married Barbara Woeltzlein, whose parents were among the earlier 
settlers of this county. They have 3 children — Mary E., John 
H. and George Willie. 

John Rupprecht, a native of Bavaria, Germany, was born in 
1S41. When 10 years old, he accompanied his parents to this 
country, where his father died shortly after arrival. Mr. R. was 
engaged in the brewing business for five years, but in 1876 bought 
five and half acres on jN . E. qr., sec. 27, which he laid out in village 
lots. Quite a number are sold, and substantial buildings erected 
thereon. This summer (18S1) Mr. R. proposes to erect a neat two- 
story brick hotel, over which he will preside as " mine host." 

Herman Goetzinger, one of the live young men of the village of 
Frankenmnth, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1855. In 
1861, with his parents, he emigrated to this country, coming direct 
to Frankenmnth tp., where his mother still resides, his father hav- 
ing died in 1871. In 1875 Herman was married to Miss Caroline 
Kurtz, who was born at Detroit, in 1857. His family consists of 
2 children — Louis and Charlotte. Mr. G's home and shop are 
pleasantly located in the thriving little village of Frankenmuth, 
where he carries on a wholesale and retail butcher business. 



51 



FREMONT TOWNSHIP 

was organized under authority granted by the supervisor, March 
2, 1857, in the following order: 

" Resolved, that the territory described in said application, bounded as follows, to 
wit: Township number 11 north, of range 1 east, and township number 11 north, 
of range 2 east, be, and the same is hereby erected into a township to be called and 
known by the name of the township of Fremont. The first annual township 
meeting thereof shall be held at the house of Thomas Guilford, on the first Monday 
of April, 1858, and at said meeting Nathan Herrick, Thomas Guilford and Joel 
Draper three electors of said township, shall be the persons whose duty it shall be 
to preside at said meeting. 

The following is a list of officials serving from 1867 to 1881: 

SUPERVISORS. 



Thomas P. Hynes 1867-'76 

James W. Graham 1877-'8 



Thomas P. Hvnes 1870 

Richard Graham 1880-' 1 



CLERKS. 



Edward C.Hill 1867 

Jeremiah Shoven 1808 

Lyman Babcock 1809 

Lucius Babcock 1870 

George A. Bunting 1871-'2 

James Bunting 1873 



Lyman Babcock 1 874 

Richard Graham 1875-7 

W. H. Beatlv.... 1878-'9 

Lewis M. Lickley 1880 

George W. Robinson 1881 



TREASURERS. 



Ira J. Crook 1867 

Goodwin Kelsey 1808 

Joel Gulick. ..1 1869-'71 

George W. Walker 1872 

Joel Gulick 1873-'4 



Geo. W. Hoyt 1875 

John S. Lockwood 1876-'7 

Kimbal S. Crook 1878 

Alex. McKenzie 1879-'80 

K. S. Crook 1881 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Joel Gulick 1807 

George W. Walker 1808 

W. W. Guilford 1809 

W. II. Bealv 1870 

Henry W. Sears 1871 

Joel Gulick 1872 

George Wellman 1873 

A. K. Stoner 1874 



Milton N. Carpenter 1875 

James Graham 1870 

G. W. Schuyler .1877 

Frank Noel 1878 

Hawlev St. John Dixon 1879 

Geo. W. Schuyler 1880 

Lewis M; Licklev 1881 



The other township officers elected in April, 1881, are Joel 
Gulick, School Superintendent; John A. McLellan, School In- 
spector; Rory Mclntire. Drain Commissioner; S. W. Graham, 

(846) 



FREMONT TOWNSHIP. 847 

Road Commissioner; Nathan P. Crampton and John Graham, 
Constables. 

There are four school-houses in the wnship, valued at about 
siM !•:'.. all (>]' which art' good building's. Two of the schools are 
taught by males, and two by Females. The total expenditure in 
L880 for school purposes was $1,140. The number of children 
enrolled is 144, of which L22 attend. Ashley West. George Van- 
der Hoyden, S. J. Crook, and Erastus Jones are the School Direct 
tors. The sum derived from the primary school fund in 1880 
was $63. The number of farmers in the township is set down at 
100; the number of electors, 1l'2. 

A large area in this township is still in its wild state. Settlers 
flock thither annually; but notwithstanding the immigration, 
thousands of acres must remain uncultivated for many years, until 
the enterprise of those who have become permament residents leads 
others to share in the profits and enjoyments of life in that town- 
ship. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

The elements of the history of Fremont township will mostly be 
found in the personal sketches which follow: 

William W. Bolt, farmer, sec. 31, was born in Onondaga Co., 
X. Y., in 1^17. He is a son of Celic and Orphia (Sweet) Bolt. 
He received only a limited education, and learned to read while 
driving a stage coach in the Southern States. He was a soldier in 
the Mexican war, and was wounded four times. On one occasion 
himself and two companions were the only persons in the company 
not wounded or killed. After many wanderings he settled in 
Illinois, but in 1879 located on his present farm. He was formerly 
a Whig, but now votes the Republican ticket. Mr. Bolt was mar- 
ried in 1S55 to Mercy Sweet. Two children have been sent to 
bless their union — Elbertine W. and George 15. 

K. S. Crook is a native of Wayne Co., Mich., where he was born 
in 1847. His father and mother, Aaron and Dinah Crook, are 
natives of England, who came to America about 1830, and settled 
in New York State; then they moved to Wayne county, where the 
subject of this sketch was born. Mr. Crook was brought up in 
that county, but secured his education in Monroe county. He was 
married there in I860 to Eliza Baumeister, a native of Germany, 
but was brought up in Monroe county. In the spring of 1870 he 
settled in Fremont tp., and bought his present farm of 40 
acres. The land had a very wild appearance when he came here, 
but through industry and hardships he made all the improvements 
himself. Mr. Crook is at present Town Treasurer, which office he 
has held three years, at different times; was also Justice of the 
Peace two years. He has 2 children— Minnie E., 11 years old, and 
Clarence, one year. 



848 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Thurston B. De Wing, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., in 
1827, a son of Elihu and Orpha De Wing, of French and English 
descent. He came to Saginaw county, Oct. 13, 1872, and settled in 
St. Charles tp., working a short time in the lumber business, when 
he bought his present place. He was married Oct. 22, 1851, to 
Julia Royce, a native of Vermont. They have 2 children — Emma, 
and Rodney P., who married Aquilla Thompson, of Chesaning. 
He was Trustee of Schools in Niagara Co., N. Y., and worked as 
foreman in Government employment for seven summers, building 
a harbor in Lake Ontario; also has had 21 years' experience in the 
lumber business; is a carpenter by trade, and also an ingenious 
artisan in all kinds of hand carving, a great many specimens of 
which are on exhibition at his house. He has also been in the 
missionary work for 20 years. 

Thomas P. Hynes, sec. 28, general farmer, is a native of Ireland, 
where he was born in 1831; son of James and Ellen (McAfee) 
Hynes. Mr. Hynes came to Canada in 1846, and settled at Quebec, 
where he remained one year, and then moved to New York State. 
About this time he enlisted in the army, and served five years in 
the Mexican war, being at Yera Cruz and New Orleans, and 
Governor's Island, N. Y. At the close of the war Mr. Hynes went 
back to Ireland, remaining there three years in viewing the land of 
his birth; then returned to the United States and settled at Bay 
City, where he was employed for two years in Frost & Bradley's 
saw-mill. Then coming to St. Charles, was two summers in the 
lumber woods, when he went to Fremont tp., and bought his 
present farm, consisting of 160 acres of land. In 1860 he was 
married to Nancy M. Nelson, a native of New York, and they have 
3 children — James I., Willard L., Mary E. Mr. Hynes was Super- 
visor of Fremont tp. 12 years. 

Win. S. Reynolds, a native of Delaware Co. N. Y., where he was 
born in 1812. He is a son of Stephen and Sarah Reynolds, who 
died in New York State in 1870. He came to Michigan and located 
at Monroe, remaining there four years, when he came to this county 
and bought his present farm, in Fremont tp., comprising 40 acres. 
He was brought up in New York and received his education there. 
He was married in 1836 to Jane A. Dumond, a native of New 
York, and they have 10 children — Cornelius, John, Mary, George, 
Caleb, Richard, Julia, William, Harriet E. and Minerva. Only 6 
are living. John died in the war with typhoid fever. Mr. Rey- 
nolds was not an office-seeker, although he was Tp. Trustee three 
times in New York State. 



JAMES TOWNSHIP 

was organized under authority given by the county board in a reso- 
lution passed Oct. 'J2, LS74. The application to organize the town- 
ship \v;is made by 1-4 freeholders of that portion of Swan Creek now 
comprised in James. The order of organization is as follows: 

Thai all that pari of the township of Swan Crook as now heretofore last organ- 
ized, bounded as follow.-, to-Wit: Commencing on the north line of township 
eleven (11) north, of range throe (3) east, in said township of Swan Creek, at the 
Qorthwesl corner of section two (2), in said township eleven (11) north, of ran ire 
three (3) east, to the northeast corner of said last-named section one (1); thence 
north on the section line between section thirty-six (36) in township twelve (12) 
north. o| rani;',' four (4) east, to the northwest corner of said last-named section 
thirty-one (81) ; theme east on the north Line of said section thirty-one (31) las! 
named to the center of the Tittabawassee river; thence down and along the cen- 
ter of said Tittabawassee river to its junction with the Shiawassee river; thence 
ii I » and along the center of said Shiawassee river to a point where the east line of 
township eleven ill) north, of range three (3] oast, crossed the said Shiawassee 
river; thence south on and along the said oast line to the southeast corner of 
township eleven (11) north, of range throe (3) oast, to the southwest corner of sec- 
tion thirty-five (35), township eleven (11) north, of range three (3) east; thence 
north, following the nisi -eetion line of sections thirty-five (35), twenty-six (26), 
twenty-three (23), fourteen (14), eleven (11) and two (2), in township eleven (11) 
north, of range three (3) east, to the place of beginning, be, and the same is, hereby 
set off from the township of Swan Creek, and organized into a separate town- 
ship by the name of "James," and the first township meeting in the said town- 
ship of James shall he held at the school-house of school district number one (1) 
in -aid township, formerly school district number one (1) of the township of 
Swan Crook : and * '******* 

Resolved, That the first township meeting of the said township of James shall 
be holden on the first Monday in April next, and that Edwin S. Dunbar, Jacob 
Zieroff and Joseph Egerer bo-, and they are, hereby appointed inspectors of said 
township meeting, 

FIRST TOWN MEETING. 

The first township meeting was held April 5, 1875, at the school- 
house on section <!, with Edwin S. Dunbar, Moderator, Joseph 
Egerer and Jacob Zieroff, Inspectors of Election. Edwin S. Dun- 
bar was elected Supervisor; Jacob Zieroff, Clerk; Joseph Zieroff. 
Treasurer; Joseph Kaufhnan, Commissioner of Highways; Felix 
lleinrich. W. P. Putman, Justices; Edward Fayerweather, 
School Superintendent; George Hanks, School Inspector; Charles 
Hanks. Drain Commissioner; Geo. E. Wood. James Brady and 
Allen E. Britts, Constables. 

The following is a list of the principal town officers since 1875: 

SUPERVISORS. 

Edwin S. Dunbar 1ST". Edwin S. Dunbar 1878-'9 

.In- Egerer 1876-'7 Ed. Fayerweather lSSO-'l 

(849 



850 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



CLKRKS. 



Jacob Zieroff 1875-'7 

Geo. Hanks 1878 



Ed. Fayerweather 1879 

Jacob Zieroff 1880-'l 



TREASURERS. 



Joseph Zieroft* 1875-'7 

John Stengel 1878 



Joseph Kaufman 187!)-'80 

Charles Blower 1881 



JUSTICES. 



1877 



Thomas Blower 1878 

Thomas Arnold 1879 

Andrew Papst 1880 

Geo. Hanks 1881 



Felix Heinrich, W. P. Putnam 1875 

Alfred Reeves 1876 

Wolfgang Eterer, j 
Andrew Papst, 
Win. Wilson. \ 

Felix Heinrich was accidentally killed May 31, 1876. Return- 
ing from Saginaw City during a storm a large tree fell, crushing 
him to death. 

The first settler was Hugh McCullough. He died in 1852. 
Thomas Blower is the oldest living settler. The township built 
the toll bridge over the Tittabawassee in 1870, at a cost of $1,200. 

There is only one school in the township, taught by Miss Cora 
Lacy. 

The first school was taught by Miss Adams. Miss Sarah Ludlow 
taught in 1861. The school district census shows 103 children. 
There is a fractional district also of 18 children. There are. 18 
sections in the township, with a population of 572. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

James Murphy, farmer, sec. 31, was born in County Mayo, Ire- 
land, in 1837; subject was reared on a farm, and was subsequently 
an extensive cattle dealer, traveling over the greater portion of the 
" Emerald Isle; 1 ' was clerk in father's grain store for several years; 
left Ireland, April 9, 1863, first landing at Quebec, arriving at 
Detroit, Mich,, on May 31 following; was engaged in brick- 
making near Ann Arbor, Mich., for two years; then came ta 
Saginaw county, and was engaged in same business for 11 years; 
in 1874, purchased 168 acres of land, where he now resides; is 
Democratic in politics; was married in February, 1859, to Mary 
Davany ; of their 12 children, 11 are living — Bridget, Ann, Thomas, 
James, John, Michael, Henry, Neil, Joseph, Sarah and Maggie; 
subject and family are worthy members of the Roman Catholic 
Church. 

John Stengel, a prominent German of this tp., was born in Ba- 
varia, Oct. 5, 1839; accompanied his parents to America in 1850, 
locating in Kochville tp. ; was reared among Indian acquaintances, 
and can converse fluently in that language; was forced to go to 
Seifert's grist-mill, the distance being about 30 miles, and by 
water, too; is a Republican, and owns 100 acres of land on sec. 5; 
was married Jan. 1, 1864, to Rosina Steinbar, who lias borne him 
6 children — Charles, Willie, George, August, Carrie and Rosa. 



JONESFIELD TOWNSHIP. 

Tliis district is watered by the middle branch of Swan creek. 
The Saginaw Valley & St. Louis railroad runs through sections 
25, 26, 27 and 28. The public highway, the only good road in 
the township, runs almost parallel with the iron road. West's mill 
and Green's mill form the manufacturing industries of the district. 
The northern portion of Jonesfield may be considered as unsettled. 

The County Board, at a meeting held March 19, L8Y3, ordered 
"that town 12 north, of range 1 east, be and the same is erected 
into a township, to be called and known by the name of the town- 
ship of Jonesfield. The first annual township meeting thereof 
shall be held at the school-house of school district number 2, in 
section 28, on the first Monday in April, 18V3, at 9 o'clock a. m., 
and at said meeting Joel Nevins, Alexander Fales, and Arnold J. 
West, three electors of said township, shall b3 the persons whose 
duty it shall be to preside at such meeting." 

The list of the principal officials of Jonesfield, from date of 

.animation, is thus given: 

SUPERVISORS. 



John Chine 1873 

Joel 8. Nevins 1874 

Joel S. Nevins 1875 

E. C. Hill 1876 

E. C. Hill 1877 



John McLean 187* 

J. W. Robinson 1879 

John McLean 1880 

Josl S. Nevins 1881 



CLERKS. 



A. J. West 1873 

Patrick J. O'Driscoll 1874 

James W. Robinson 1875 

W. P. Stacy 1876 

A. B. Bloumer... 1877 



Augustus C. Melze 1878 

A. C Melze 1879 

A. C. Melze 1880 

A. C. Melze 1881 



TREASURERS. 



Joel s. Nevins 1873 

A.J. West. 

Jacob Lewis. 1875 

John McLean 1876 

John McLean 1877 



Thomas Fleming 187S 

Thomas Fleming 1X79 

George MLoulton 1880 

John McLean issi 



JUSTK I S. 



Patrick Madden. Tbos Sweeney, / 1v .~., 
Wm. Jones, M. B. Richardson. \ '" 

William Hogan, George Dockett, / 1Q -. 
Edward Jones..... f ' ' 4 

Thos. Sweeney. Patrick Madden . .1875 

Tbos. Sweeney, A. B. Bloomer.. . . I87»j 



Patrick Madden, Thos. Sweeney, / . .«„ 

A.J. West :. * M " 

Patrick Madden, Thos. Sweeney. .1878 
Rowland Frost, Jas. I". Wilson.*. . .1879 

Eugene H. Hillier 1880 

John McLean issi 



(851) 



852 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY, 



The other township officials elected in 1881 are: John Wall, 
Highway Commissioner; William Fleming, Drain Commissioner; 
Peter L. Perkins, Superintendent of Schools; Patrick Madden, 
School Inspector; George Frost, Constable. There were four con- 
stables elected, of whom Mr. Frost alone qualified. 

SCHOOLS. 

There are four district schools in the township, attended by 79 
pupils. The entire number of children of school age in the four 
districts number 111. The amount paid teachers for services 
rendered during the year ending September, 1880, was 592. The 
tour school buildings, together with school property, are valued at 
$2,150. The total sum expended for educational purposes during 
the year was $1,210.71, raised from direct taxation, with the ex- 
ception of $18.40 received from the primary-school fund. The 
total indebtedness of the school districts in September, 1880, was 
estimated at $747.66. The township library contains 98 volumes. 




KOCHVILLE TOWNSHIP 

L8 situated in the northern portion of the count) - , east of Tittaba- 
see, west of Zilwaukee, and fine north of Saginaw township. 
Its population, as given in the census returns of 1880, is 1,768. There 
are five school districts and two fractional, each provided with a 
substantial schoolbuilding. The church buildings are four in num- 
ber, comprising three Lutheran and one German Methodist. The 
lands of the township are as fertile as any in the Valley, the people 
industrious and enterprising. The appearance of the county 
bespeaks great progress and rehearses, as it were, the story of Ger- 
man perseverance. Under authority given by the Board of Supervis- 
ors, Oct. 12, 1S55, the following described territory was constituted 
a township under the name of Kochville, viz. : Township 13 north, of 
range -least; sections 6,7, 18, 19, and the north half of section 30 in 
township 13 north, of range 5 east; and sections 25, 26,27, 26, 29, 30, 
31, 32, 33, 31, 35 and 36 in township 14 north, of range 4 east. The 
application to organize was signed by 75 electors. In granting the 
prayer of these citizens, the board ordered that the first annual meet- 
ing for the election of township officers should be held at the house 
of Adam Goetz of Kochville, on the first Monday in April, 1856, 
and that the following named persons: G. Stengel, J. P. Weggel. 
and J. S. Hehelt, being three electors, be designated and appointed to 
preside at such election, and to perform all the duties required by 
the statute. 

The first Kochville township election was held April 7. 1856, at 
the house of Andreas Goetz, with the following results: Luke Well- 
ington, Supervisor; John C. Schmidt, Township Clerk; Andreas 
Goetz, Treasurer; J. G. Helmrenh, Caspar Linik, School Inspec- 
tors; Wm. Butts, Henreich Hipser and Paul Stephan, Highway 
Commissioners; Luke Wellington, Louis Loefiier, Geo. Hengee and 
Leonard Fleabite, Justices of the Peace; Geo. Hengee and Andreas 
Goetz, Overseers of the Poor; G. M. Geigler, Geo. Sturm, Andreas 
Schmidt and Mark Kranzlien, Constables. 

Peter Weggel and Heinreich ilebert, were named inspectors of 
election; but owing to their absence, Luke Wellington and Caspar 
Lint filled their positions with Geo. Stengel, an inspector named in 
the first order. Louis Loefiier was appointed Clerk and John C. 
Schmidt, Asst. Clerk. The number of voters present was 59. The 
principal officers of the township since its organization are named 
in the following list: 

-I i'i i;\ [SOBS. 

Luke Wellington 185(5 John A. Lemberger 1879-'80 

Louia Lnefflnr is.-.T.'Tii John M. Richard 1881 



854 



HISTORY OF SAOINAW COUNTY. 



CLERKS. 



John C. Schmidt 1856-'68 

John A. Lembertjer 1868-'T0 

John C. Schmidt. 1870-'3 



Henry Rauschert 1873-'4 

John 'A. Lemberger 1874-9 

Louis Loeffler I87y-'81 



TREASURERS. 



Andreas Goetz 1856 

John A. Lemberger l857-'68 

Matthias Richard 1808-'7O 

John M. Richard 1870-'l 

Matthias Richard 187l-'2 



John M. Richard l872-'7 

Leonard Scherzer 1877-'9 

A. Hemmerbacker 1879-'81 

Geo. Hemmerbacker Inki 



JUSTICES OF THE' PEACE. 



L. Wellington, L. Loeffler, Geo. 

Stengel. L. Hatchtel 1850 

Louis Loeffler 1857 

Luke Wellington 1858 

John Schmidt, L. Wellington, 

L. Hatchtel : 1859 

Andreas Goetz I860 

Louis Loeffler 1861 

J. L. Hatchtel 1862 

Luke Wellington 1863 

John H. Schnell 1804 

L. Loeffler, Eleazer Jewett 1865 

M.Arnold 1866 

John C. Schnell 1807 

Eleazer Jewett, H. Rauschert. .1808 



Louis Loeffler 1809 

Luke Wellington 1870 

John Schnell. 1871 

Henry Rauschert 1872 

EberStarks 1873 

Alfred Boulden, Louis Loeffler. 1874 

John Ruget 1875 

Thos. Gleison, John J. Schnell. 1876 

Heinrich Rauschert 1*77 

Along Jewett 1878 

Erastus Purchase, L. Loeffler, 

W. D. Donnels 1879 

John S. Schnell 1880 

Philip Martin 1881 



John Meger, Commissioner of Highways; J. T. Mueller, Town 
Superintendent; Erastus Purchase, Inspector; Christian Neumeyer, 
Drainage Commissioner; Thos. Hartlepp, Fred. Waldbauer, John 
Scherzer and Andreas Schwaab, Constables, with the names of 10 
pathmasters, complete the roll of township officers. 

GERMAN REFORMED LUTHERAN CHURCH. 

This church is situated on sec. 15, and was organized in 1852 by 
Rev. Sievers. The members then were: A. D. Eischyer, Adam 
Schnell, Michael Schmidt, George Leitz, George Rieger, Paul 
Stephens, Michael Daezchlin, John G. Hearnan. The first build- 
ing was erected in 1852, and was a log house 30x40 feet in which 
meetings were held until 1870. At this time the society built the 
present church, a frame building 38x70 feet, at a cost of $5,0<H>. 
There are 104 members at present, under the pastorate of Rev. J. 
F. Miller. 



KOUHVILLE TOWNSHIP 



855 



LAND-IJUVKKS. 



The following named persons made the first entries of the town- 
ship lands: 



F. Sievers, sec 1. Mav 5, 1848 
John G. Weiss, sec 1, Oct. 4. 184!) 
F Sievers, sec 1. July 18, 1848 
ers, sec 1, June lit, 1850 
Andrew Goetz, sec 1, Jan 5, 1852 
F. Schultheiss, sec 2, Feb 26, 1852 
Bernard Koch, sec 2, July 7. 1854 

F. Sievers, sec 2, Dee 7. 1849, June 1!). 

'. and Aug 15, 1850 

G. 0. Williams,sec 2, Sepl 30,1850 and 

Oct 13, 1853 
James J. McCorniick, sec 2, Dec 2,l fi 51 
- S. Campbell, sec 'J. Dec 2. 1851 
J. C. Schmidt, see '2, Nov 1. 184!) 

M. Feinaner, sec 2, Feb Hi. 1852. 
James .1. McCormick, sec 3. Dee 2, 

1851. 
S, S. Campbell, sec 3. Dec 2, 1*51 
(7. o. Williams, see :;, Sept 30, 1853 
A. L. &T. B. Li. R.,sec 3. Dee 1, 1862 

F. it. P. M R. R., sec 3, Dec 1. 1862 
John G. Helmreich, sec 3, Oct 19, 1852 
B Staudarker, sec4, Aug 3, 1863 
Martin Neumeyer, sec 4, Aug 3 18G3 

G. Gehringer, sec 4. Aug 3. 1863 
George Roeger, sec 4. Aug 3, i860 
Henrv W. Jennison, see 4, Aug 3, 1863 
A. P.' Bremer, sec 4, Aug3, 1863 
George H. Van Etten, see 4, Aug 3, 

1863. 
Wm. T. Hill, see 4, Nov 14, 1854 
Bowers Rankin, sec 4, June9,1850 
F. Sievers, sec 4. June '•», 1850 
A. L. A- T, B. P. R, sec 5, Dec 8, 1862 
F. A' P. M. R. IF. sec 5, Dec*, 1862 
N. W. Sander-, sec 5. Nov 9,1854 
John T. Elliott, sec5, Nov 8. 1854 
T. S. Kennedy, sec .">. Nov 9, l s 54 
Orville c. Morris, sec 6, Nov 13. 1854 
John S. Boss, se ■ li, N'ovS. 1854 
John A. .Gibson, sec 7, Nov 9, ls,-)4 
J. PI. Gotee, sec 7, Nov 7, 1854 
A. L. & T. B. R R, sec 9, Dec 1,1862 
F. & F . M. R, R, sec9, Dec 1, 1862 
F. Sievers, sec 9, June in. 1850 
Ira Beebe, sec !». June hi. 1850 
Reuben Bennett, sec 9. June l!). 1850 
Jacob Wright, sec 9, Nov 8, 1854 
Guidon O. Williams, sec 10. Sepl 30, 

1853 

.11. Lutz, sec 10, Aug 3, 1863 
George Stengel, sec 10. Dee 9, 1851 
A Eichinger. sec in, Oci 19, 1852 
IF W. Jennison. sec 10, Aug 3, 1863 
J. Herboldsheimer, Nee 10, Aug 3, 1863 
A. Eichinger, se,- 10, July 16. 1852 
J. M.Richard, se< 10. June 10. 1863 
J. A.Eichinger, sec 10, July 1. 1852 
F. Sievers, - c 10, June 1!». '1850 



M. Feinaner, sec 11. April 22. 1850 
John A. Leinberger, sec 11, May 14, 

1 855 
F. Sievers, sec 11. June 19, 1850 
A. L. &T. B. R. 1!.. sec 11. Dee 1, 

1862. 
F. & P.M. K. P., sec 11, Dec 1. 1862 
Jacob T. Calkins, sec 11, Jan 1, 1851 
Wm. .I.Cornell, sec 11, Dec 2, 1851 
J. G. Helmreich. see 11. Nov 17, 1851 
George Stengel, sec 11. Dee 9, 1851 
Loring Gugel, sec 11, Oct 17, 1854 
J. M. Sebald, sec 11, -May 7, 1856 

F. Sievers, sec 11, Aug 15, 1850 
George Stengel, sec 11. Dec!), 1851 

G. Van Etten, see 12. Aug 3, 1863 
Albrachl Kuch.see 12, July 16.1S62 
J. G. Helmreich, see 12, July 6^ 1853 
Johann S. Bruer, sec 12, Dec 5, 1855 
Jacob Neumeyer, sec 12, July 2, 1853 
Johann S. Bauer, sec 12, Nov 2, 1855 
Andrew Goetz, sec 12, Ann:!, 1*6:; 
N. G. Williams, see 12. Aug 3, 1863 
G. H. Van Etten, see 12. Aug 3, 1863 
J. M. Sebald. sec 12, Feb 23, 1856 
M. Neumeyer. sec 12. Aim 3, 1863 

A. L. & T.'B. R. R , sec 13, Dec 1 , 1862 
F. &P. 31. P. P., sec 13. Dec 1, 1862 
J. A. Eichinger, sec 14, Feb 21, 1853 
John Steinbauer, sec 14, Ausj 27, 1863 
.1. M. Steinbauer, see 14, Aug 17, 1863 
Johann M. Steinbauer, sec 14, July 6, 

1853 
L. Eichinger, sec 14, Nov 1, 1852, and 

July 27, 1853 
(J. A. Schnall, sec 14, Oct 19, 1852 
J. II. Steinbauer, sec 14, Aug 27, 1863 
Henry C. Burt, sec 14, Aug 3, 1863 

F. IF Bow, sec 14, May 30,1855 

G. C. Reif, sec 14, July 20, 1854 
W. <,>. Atwood, sec 14,'Auir 3, 1863 
15. Meyer, sec 14, July 20-1854 
George A. Schnell, see 15, July 1, 1852 
JobnG. Lutz, sec 15. July 2, 1852 

F. Sievers, sec 15, July 13, 1852 

F. Sievers. sec 15, June 19, 1850 

.1. T. Tremble, sec 15, Feb 7, 1837, and 

Feb is, 1837 
James Milligan, sec 18, Nov 9, 1854 

G. S. Hopkins, sec IS, Dee 6, 1S.",4 
Wm. Thoolley, see 18, Dec 11,1854 
Amb\ Coyl, sec 19, No\ 9, 1854 
Albert Marble, sec 19, Nov 9, 1854 
('. Stow, sec 19, Nov !i, 1854 

H. S. Penoyer, sec 19. Nov 9 1854 
Peter Farrajl, sec 21. June 19,1850 
Charles Lewi-, see 21, Nov 8, 1854 
M ichael Conoley, see 21, June 19. 1850 
(FT. Zschoerner, sec21, Nov 8. 1854 



856 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW CiiUNTV. 



F. Sievers, sec 22, Aug 15, 1850 
John Smith, see 22, June 19, 1850 
Wm. B. Andrews, sec 22, June 19,1850 
George Lewis, sec 22, Nov 9, IS 54 
A. Albert!, sec 22, Nov 7, 1854 

E. H. Bow, sec 22, March 8, 1854 
Lewis Duprats, sec 22. Dec 1, 1854 

A. L. & T. B. R R., sec 23, Dec 1, 1862 

F. &. P. M. R. R., sec 23, Dec 1, 1862 

B. M. Warren, sec 23, July 2b, 1855 
Wm. J. Cornell, sec 23, Dec 15, 1849 
Henry C. Ripley, sec 24, Aug 1!), 1863 
Henry C. Burt, sec 24, Aug 3, 1863 

J. L. Campbell, sec 24, Aug 18, 1863 
J. H. Wellington, sec 24, Aug 20, 1863, 

and Feb 16, 1864 
J. Gannon, sec 24, Aug 7, 1855 
Nathan Whitman, sec 24, Dec 1, 1854 
Wm. Q. Atwood, sec 24, Aug 3, 1863 
E. H. Bow, sec 24, May 30, 1855 
James Marsac, sec 24, Jan 16, 1837 
J. F Marsac, sec 24, Nov 22, 1836 
James Marsac, sec 25, Nov 14, 1836 

Dec 19, 1836, and Feb 13, 1837 
J. F. Marsac, sec 25, Nov 22, 1836 
Charles Horan, sec 25, Nov 22, 1836 
Lewis Duprats, sec 25, March 1, 1853 
Wm L. Cook, sec 26, Nov 15, 1854 
Wm. L. Bulbs, sec 26, Nov 23, 1854 
Wm. Hess, sec 26, Feb 20, 1855 
Henry F. Catan, sec 26, Nov 8, 1834 
George Lewis, sec 26, Dec 11, 1854 
Wm. L. Cook, sec 26, Nov 23, 1854 
Vrena Stamm, sec 26, May 24, 1850 
John Debory, sec 26, Sept 5, 1850 
D. H Fitzhuam, sec 27, July 7, 1853 
Abraham Butts, sec 27, Feb 20, 1850 
Ele zer Jewett, sec 27, Nov 13, 1854 
Wm.H. Sweet, sec 28, Nov 8, 1854 
Newton D. Lee, sec 28. Nov 9, 1854. 
D. D. Kitzhugh, sec 28, June 25, 1836 
J. W. Edmunds, sec 29, Nov 10, 1836 



D. D. Fitzhugh, sec 39, June 25, 1836 
B. F. Fisher, sec 29, Nov 9, 1854 
Hugh Smith, sec 30, Nov 9. 1854 
Peter McKeever, sec 30, Jan 15, 1858 
B. F. Fisher, sec 30. Nov 9, 1854 
Abner Croff, sec 30, N<>\ 9, 1854 
Harlem McDonald, sec 31, Ocl 11,1836 
Hazard Webster.sec 31, Ocl 11, 1836 
B. McDonald, see 31, Ocl 1 1. 1836 
James McDonald, sec 31, Oct 11, 1836 
L. Zagelmeyer, sec31, Nov 9, 1854 
Louis" Fittiiiger, sec 31, Nov 8, 1854 
D. D. Fitzhugh, sec 32, June 25, 1836 
Silas Barnes, sec 32, March 11, 1837 
Nelson Gary, sec 32, Nov 9, 1854 
S. M. Rockwood, sec :\>. May 24, 1836 
Volney Owens, sec :;■.'. Feb 24. 1837 
('. Chamberlain, sec 32, Sept 16, 1837 
David Kirk, sec 33, May 22, 1837 
Aimer Hubbard, sec 33, Nov 8, 1854 

D. D. Fitzhugh, sec 33, June 25. 1836 
John Kemp, sec 33, May 22, 1837 

, Peter Kemp, sec 33, May 22, 1837 
James Laiog, sec 33, May 22, 1837 
S. M. Rockwood, sec 33, May 24,1836 
Thomas Barger, sec 34, Mav 9, 1837 
Adam Wartes, sec 34, July 12, 1853 
Johiun Gerber, sec 34. July 12, 1853 
Thos. Freeman, sec 34, May 19, 1837 
Carl August, sec 34, June 7, 1850 

E. W. Hagemann, sec 34, June 7, 1850 
Jacob Loemer, sec 34, Sept 6. 1849 

H. Shaw, sec 34, March 22, 1853 
R. Newcombe, sec 34, Nov 14. 1854 
Wm. Renwick.sec 34, Mav 22, 1837 
John Drysdale, sec 34, May 22, 1837 
Hiram Merick, sec 35, Dec 14, 1853 
K. Schulthess, sec 35, Sept 19,1849 ami 

Jan 11, 1850 
Jacob Leoffler, sec 35, Sept 6. 1849 
James Marsac, sec 36, Feb 13, 1837 



PERSONAL SKETCHES. 



In the following interesting sketches of the settlers of Kochville, 
the varied events connected with the township's growth are re- 
ferred to: 

J. W. Allison, farmer, sec. 33, was born in Scotland. Dec. 25, 
1823. His parents were Robert and Jeanette (Wilson) Allison; J. 
W. learned the tailor's trade in his native country, and in 1848 
immigrated to America, where he worked several years as a ship- 
carpenter. He came to this county in 1850, and since 186<> has 
devoted his entire time to agricultural pursuits. He owns 50 
acres of fertile land. He has been twice married; his first wife was 
Jane Barr, a native of Scotland, who died in 1S68. His present 
wife was Caroline F. Wickham, a native of New York, of English 
parentage. They have 2 children, Clara Jeanette and Margaret 
Christiana. Mr. Allison is a member of the Presbvterian Church 



K<>< HYII.I.K TOWNSHIP. 857 

of Saginaw City, and his wife is a member of the Church of 
England. 

Jnla, Arman, fanner on see. 17, was born in New York,- June 
14. 1S31. When six years of age lie accompanied his parents to 
Saginaw Co., Mich., where he received the best education 
afforded by the district schools of that day. His parents were John 
and Nancy (Davis) Arman, both natives of Vermont; father of 
German, mother of English, descent. In 1664 Mr. Annan enlisted 
in Co; C, 29th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Saunders, and 
was honorably discharged Sept. L6, 1865. He owns a good farm, 
all the product of his own labor. He was married in 1851 to 
Margaret McGregor, a native of this county, and of Scotch ancestry. 
She was born Sept. 13, 1835. They have 2 sons, Frederick Riley 
and Edward Alexander. Mrs. Arman is an Adventist, and her 
husband is a Republican. 

E. H. JBoiv, farmer, sec. 25, was born in Maine, in 1827, and is a 
son of E. B. and Elizabeth (Haskell) Bow. He came to Michi- 
gan in 1S38, and in this county received his education. He was 
engaged in the lumber business for 15 years, but since then has 
followed farming, and now owns 600 acres of land. He is serving 
his second term as Director of Schools, and is a Democrat. He was 
married in 1S66 to Sarah Wellington. They have 3 children. 

Philip Bow, farmer, sec. 36, was born in Maine, Jan. 16, 1833. 
His parents were Edmond and Elizabeth Bow, natives of Maine, 
and of English descent. They came to this county at an early day, 
and kept a hotel at Saginaw City. Philip received his educational 
training in this county, and in 1839 settled on the Cass river, in 
what is now Bridgeport tp. He is Democratic in politics; was 
School Director three years, and owns 40 acres of good land. He 
was married Feb. 1, 1868, to Adelaide Davis. Of the 11 children 
born to them, 10 are living — Stephen D., Rosana, Wilbert. Charles, 
Orrin S., Marion, Ella, Clara E., Lillian and Sarah W. Benjamin 
died at the age of four months. 

Cyrus Ch"se, farmer, sec. 36, was born inUpperCanada in 1820, 
and is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Parker) Chase; father a native of 
Vermont, of English descent: mother native of Connecticut, of 
German ancestry; Cyrus was educated in the common and select 
schools of Canada, and first commenced in the lumber business. In 
L850 he started for California, but stopped in Saginaw county, 
where he has since resided. He first worked at clearing land where 
Zilwaukee is now located, and finally settled in Kochville tp., where 
he owns 362 acres of land, half of which is under cultivation. He 
is Republican in politics, and has served as School Commissioner and 
Justice of the Peace. He was married in 1854 to Mary Atheson, 
a native of Canada, and of Irish parentage. They have 5 children, 
4 daughters and 1 son — Henry L.; Jane, wife of Theodore F. 
Casmer. Superintendent of Schools atZillivak; Mary, Emma, Ella. 

Lewis Duprats, farmer, sec. 25, was among the very first settlers 
in Kochville tp. He was born at Detroit, Mich., in 1807, and is a 



858 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



son of L. and Julia (Pomville) Duprats, natives of Detroit, and of 
French descent. Lewis received an average education, and in 1837 
settled in Kochville tp. He owns 152 acres of land, and was once 
Tp. Treasurer and Justice of the Peace of Zilwaukee tp. He was 
married in 1828 to Phillis Marsac, who bore him 4 children, 2 of 
whom are living— Lewis and Jacqne; and owns farms in this tp., 
Mrs. Duprats died and he married lslanda Houselander. They have 
2 daughters, both married. Mr. D. is a Republican. 

Andrew Goetz, fanner, sec. 1, was born in Germany in 1813. 
His parents were Michael and Barbara (Warthschrqpk) Goetz. An- 
drew received his education in Germany, and in 1848 came to 
America. The same year he came to Kochville tp., with $300 in 
money, $120 of which he had borrowed. He bought 23 acres of 
land on sec. 1, built a shanty 16x16 feet in size, and in company 
with live others, purchased an ox-team. At the end of five years 
he owned 52 acres of improved land, with a good house thereon, and 
was out of debt. He now owns 213 acres, has given some to each of his 
children, and $9,000 worth to one son. He was the first white set- 
tler in this part of the county, and was instrumental in the erection 
of the Lutheran Church (in 1848), in which he has since filled the 
office of Trustee. He was married in this county June 25, 1848, to 
Margaret Mowery, a member of the Lutheran Church. Of the 10 
children sent them, only 2 are living — Anna, wife of John G. Helm- 
reich, and John Leonard, a prominent farmer of this tp. Mrs. Goetz 
died Nov. 27. 1880. 

Abner Hubbard, farmer on sec. 33, was born in Greene Co.. N. Y., 
June 29, 1813. He is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Arnold) 
Hubbard, natives of Connecticut, of English ancestry. Abner 
learned the ship-carpenter and calker's trade. He assisted in build- 
ing the first boat ever built on the banks of the Saginaw river. 
He first came to this county in 1842, and two years later made a 
permanent settlement in Saginaw City till 1850, when he settled 
on hi-s land in this tp. He was married in Oakland Co., 
1835, to Amanda Hayes, a native of Grafton Co., 
7 children, only 1 is living. Mary Jane, wife of 
One son, Samuel Eugene, enlisted in Co. G. 23d 
Inf., as 4th Corporal, and was discharged as ( )r- 
Mr. Hubbard and .wife have been faithful mem- 



Mich., Sept. 22, 
N. H. Of their 
David Nichols. 
Eeg. Mich. Vol. 
derly Sergeant. 



bers of the M. E. Church for many years. 

Oscar Jewetf, farmer, sec. 27, was born at Saginaw City, Mich., 
Nov. 3, 1837. He is a son of Eleazer and Azubah L. (Miller) 
Jewett, honored and respected pioneers of this county, the former 
a native of New Hampshire, of Welsh descent, and the latter of 
Vermont, of English ancestry. Eleazer Jewett died suddenly in 
1875; his widow still survives, and is the oldest living settler in 
Saginaw county. Mr. Jewett received his literary education in 
the Saginaw City high school, and spent the first i<> years of his 
business career in the lumber trade. In 1858 he went to Califor- 
nia, and remained in the West for seven years. While in California, 
he was attacked with the Panama fever, which deprived him from 



KOCIIVILLE TOWNSHIP. 859 

working for 11 long, weary months. In 1863, while in the 
mining region, lie received the news of the death of his brother 
Wallace, at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., and immediately ottered 
himself to the Governor of Nevada, to serve in any military capac- 
ity. Ee was assigned First Lieut, of Co. C, Lsl Nov. Cav., and 
after a year's service, was promoted as Aide-de-camp on Gen. Con- 
nor's staff. Ee was finally commissioned Captain of Co. "F," 
serving as such till the close of the war. The regimenl was en- 
gaged in fighting [ndians, and Mr. Jewett participated in that 
memorable battle of Tongue river, on Aug. 29, L865. After the 
war. he Located at Salt Lake City, where, in connection with Capt. 
Brown, he was engaged in corraling stock. When Dr. Robinson 
was brutally murdered bythe Mormon, Mr. Jewettand partner, with 
their wives, were forced to flee fortheir lives. The journey from Salt 
Lake City to St. Louis, Mo., cost Mr. J., for himself and wife, ex- 
actly $1,020. Since returning to Michigan, he has engaged in 
fanning on the old homestead, comprising 120 acres of land, part 
of which is under a high state of cultivation. He was married in 
1 *>•;»; to Fanny Tomlinson, who proved a faithful and loving wife 
to him until 1868, when she "passed over to the other side." He 
was again married, July 16, 1*74, to Alice Wells, a native of New 
York, of English ancestry. Mr. Jewett was Marshall of Saginaw 
itv from 1 ^ 74 to L878. lli> remark, "A dead Mormon is the best 
Mormon," is worthy of record. 

Frederic Charles Loui* Koch was the son of Charles Ernestus 
Augustus Koch, who was foreman and manager of the Govern- 
mental mine at Gittelde, in the Lower Hartz mountains of Bruns- 
wick, in Germany, and his wife, Jane Elizabeth, nee Hellring. He 
was born in the mining village, Itothe-IIuette, Feb. 15, 1799; re- 
ceived a good education at home, also at the mining school of 
( 'lausthal, and at the University of Gcettingen, Hanover; taught 
school for a time at the Latin College of Hanover, and returned to 
practical work, but spent his leisure hours endeavoring to recall a 
lost invention, of enameling iron pots and vessels, finally with suc- 
cess; he gave his invention to the world, not patenting it. In 1825 
he married Aliss Augusta, the daughter of John Henry Bippart, in 
whose glass factory he had been working; he then quit his mining 
office at Rothe-Huette. and took a position as comptroller and 
administrator of the smelting houses of one of his father-in-law's 
glass factories at Gruenenplan. Mr. Bippart died. in 1842, and all 
the glass works of Gruenenplan fell into Mr. Koch's possession, 
and thus the latter had increased facilities for his genial experi- 
ments, and also to push the manufacture of looking-glasses, nine- 
tenths of which were sold in the United States at good prices. The 
Government soon honored him with the title of "Counselor of 
Mines," and bought a farm for him. Mr. Koch thenceforward 
prospered materially. He also enjoyed domestic duties, having, 
before leaving the old country, a family of wife, 3 sons and 4 
daughters; he had also two family teachers and a gardener. Mr. 
Koch had a very fine garden and ornamental grounds, with parks 



860 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

and cages of wild animals. On the highest point on these para- 
disiacal grounds lie erected a beautiful church. He continued to 
take a prominent part in literature and science, being a member of 
learned societies, and he owned a large cabinet of minerals and 
shells, considered the best private collection in Germany at that 
time. 

Two of Mr. Koch's children met with serious accidents, injuring 
the reason of one, and ultimately destroying the life of the other; 
and the Revolution of 1848 came on, but Mr. Koch came through 
unscathed. Then he emigrated to America with his daughter 
Caroline, who was betrothed to Rev. F. Sievers, a Lutheran minis- 
ter in the Saginaw Valley; he went to the Lake Superior region 
to examine the resources and conditions of mineral interest there, 
with a view of bringing over his old employes and friends from 
Germany; and although he found the resources surprisingly abun- 
dant, the art of mining was so crude, and American institutions so 
republican, that he - decided not to bring on the immigrants 
immediately; he then visited the lead mines of Wisconsin and 
Illinois; still his decision was that it would not do to bring miners 
over from the old country to work in America under European 
control. Mr. Koch died March 12, 1862, greatly respected by all 
the community. The tp. of Kochville was named after him. 
Mrs. Koch died April 5, 1875. She was a very estimable lady, 
full of Christian faith and good works. 

John A. Leinberger, farmer, sec. 1, was born in Germany, July 
19, 1830, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Schenter) Lein- 
berger. John received a common-school education in his native 
land, and in 1847 emigrated to the United States. In 1848 he lo- 
cated land on sec. 1, Kochville tp., where he now possesses 180 
acres. He is Republican in politics, and served as Tp. Treasurer 14 
years, Clerk 7 years, School Director 14 years, and Assessor. He is 
an enterprising citizen, and was prominently identified in the 
movement attaching half of Kochville tp. to Bay county. He 
was married in 1849 to Maiw Katherine Drulein. Eight children 
have been given them, all living. Mrs. Leinberger died March 3, 
1880. She was a member of the Lutheran Church, as is also her 
husband. 

Rev. J. F. Miller, Pastor of the German Reformed Church at 
Kochville, was born in Washtenaw Co., Mich., May 11, 1844, a 
son of Charles and Rosena (Stueter) Miller, natives of Germany, 
who emigrated to this country in 1830, settling in that county. 
The subject of this sketch received his education partly at Fort 
Wayne, Ind., and at St. Louis, Mo. He entered the ministry in 
1862, at Terre Haute, Ind., and since 186S has occupied his present 
position. He was married in Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1864, to 
Anna M., daughter of George and Dorothy Miller, who was born 
in Bavaria, Germany, in 1844. They have 9 children, 8 of whom 
are living : Charles A., August H., Caroline, Carl, George, 
Adolph, Edward and Emil F. The deceased is Emma. Rev. 
Miller is at present Superintendent of Schools of Kochville tp. 



KOCHVILLE TOWNSHIP. $61 

Erastvs Purchase, farmer, sec. 19, was born in Ontario Co., N". 
Y., in 1838, and is a son of E. and Lura (Griffin) Purchase, father 
a native of Ontario county, mother native of Wayne Co., IS. Y. 
Erastus received the greater part of his education in Michigan, 
and in 1856 located in Saginaw county. He was engaged in the 
lumber business in ls63- 1 5, but since then has followed agricultural 
pursuits. By his own exertions and perseverance he has accumu- 
lated a good farm of 170 acres, one of the best farms in Kochville 
tp. He was married in 1864 to Emma M. Soper. They have 4 
children, 3 daughters and 1 son. Their names are Mary A , Emma 
A.. Jennie L and Alonzo M. Mr. Purchase believes in the 
principles of the Republican party. 

John Riegel, proprietor of the Michigan Hotel, Frankenlust, 
was born in Germany in 1838, and is a son of Michael and Maggie 
(Stahl) Itiegel. He received his education in the " faderland," and 
subsequently entered the Bavarian army, where he remained seven 
years, during this period participating in three battles. He came 
to this county in 1867, and operated a saw-mill for seven seasons. 
He is a mason by trade, but is now proprietor of the Michigan 
Hotel. He is a Republican in politics, owns 12 acres of land, and 
has officiated as Justice of the Peace. Mr. Riegel was married 
July 16, 1871, to Theresa Fisher. Both are members of the 
Lutheran Church. She was born in Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 15, 
L845. 

Rev. {George Christian Ernestus) Ferdinand Sievers is t\\e sow 
of Henry (Sigismund Frederic) Sievers, and Eleanor Lisette Floren- 
tine, nee von Borries, and was born at Lunenburg, Germany, May 
1 s . 1816. His mother died in 1822 and his father a year later, and 
the outlook for the poor orphan boy was very sad; but his uncle, 
Rev. Ph. Sievers, took good care of him. He was educated at the 
University of Goettingen, 1835-'38, where he studied theology some 
time, then taught private school three and one-half years, studied 
theology again at the Universities of Berlin and Halle, and taught 
private school again three and one-half years; was ordained a min- 
ister in 1847. when he emigrated to this country to take charge of 
Lutheran congregations here, and bought several hundred acres of 
land from the Government at what is now South Bay City, with mis- 
sionary means from the old country. The next year a number of 
settlers came in from Germany and commenced to endure the priva- 
tions of pioneer life. May 5, 1850, Mr. S. married Caroline Koch, in 
New York city, while she was en route from her home in Germany 
to her new home in the wilds of Michigan. She was the daughter 
of Rev. Fr. Koch and Augusta, nee Bippart. Of the 11 children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. S., S are living. 

The settlement of Frankenlust, established by Rev. Sievers. has 
grown to great proportions, and there is another flourishing settle- 
ment three miles southwest, also founded by Mr. S. in 1851. This 
highly revered old gentleman has now enjoyed a long life of use- 
fulness, and set an example of ministerial industry and faith fill ue s 
that will be difficult for his successors to follow. 



b02 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Fred Wellington, farmer, sec. 25, is a life resident of this county. 
He was born in March, 1844. He is a son of Dr. Luke and Nancy 
M. (Freeman) Wellington, father a native of New Hampshire, and 
-mother of New York. Dr. Luke Wellington came to this State in 
1836, locating at Flint, and in 1850 settling in Saginaw county, 
where he now owns 500 acres of land. Fred was educated in the 
public schools of Bay and Saginaw cities, and at Bryant & Stratton's 
Commercial College, of Detroit. He was a bookkeeper for 8 years, 
and is Republican in politics; has been School Inspector, Superin- 
tendent and Assessor. lie was married in 1869 to Rosetta M. 
Lewis, who was born in Utica, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1849. Her parents 
were of English and Welsh descent. They formerly lived at Detroit, 
but now reside in Saginaw county. Two children have been given 
to bless this union — Mary L. and James A. ; and 2 deceased, Fred 
L. and Martha R. 




LAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP. 

This section of the county may be said to be still in its primitive 
state. South of Beaver creek it is occupied with but a few settlers; 
while the road leading into the settled sections is so strangely rude 
that one who ventured to travel over it once, and succeeded in reach- 
ing a dwelling-house, is surprised at the courage and perseverance 
which enabled him to battle with and conquer the difficulties of 
travel in that western township. 

The head-waters of the north branch of Bad river pertain 
properly to this township. This tributary of the river waters its 
southern sections; while the more important stream known as 
Beaver creek courses through sections 4, 9,16, 15,22,23 and 24. 
The only manufacturing industry in Lakefield is the saw-mill on 
section 3. 

In the summer of 1875 the settlers of Northern Lakefield met to 
consider the advisability of seeking local government. The result 
of that meeting was an application to the Supervisors' Board, 
signed by 21 freeholders of the township of Fremont, ask- 
ing the board to order the organization of fractional township 11 
north, of range 3 east, into the township of Lakefield. The board 
ordered, under date Oct. 16, 1875, " that all that part of the town- 
ship of Fremont, as now heretofore last organized, to-wit: frac- 
tional township 11 north, of range 1 east, be, and the same is, 
hereby set off from the township of Fremont, and organized into a 
separate township by the name of Lakefield, and the first township 
meeting in the said township of Lakefield shall be held at the 
dwelling house of H. C. Fessenden; that the first township meet- 
ing of the said township of Lakefield shall be holden on the first 
Monday of April next, and that II. C. Fessenden, Thomas M. 
Gould and William C. Dickinson be, and they are, hereby appointed 
Inspectors of said township meeting, whose duty it shall be to preside 
at such meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keep the polls, and ex- 
ercise the same power as the inspectors of elections at any town- 
ship meeting; that Thomas Gould be and is hereby appointed to 
post up notices, according to law, of the time and place of holding 
the first township meeting in the said new township of Lakefield." 
This resolution to organize was opposed by one member of the 
board against forty supporters. The principal officers of the town, 
since its organization, are named as follows: 

SUPERVISORS. 

Herbert C. Fessenden 1876-9 | William C. Galloway 1880-1 

(863) 



864 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

CLERKS. 

Howard Collins 1876-7 I Emil Hintermeister 1879-80 

Thomas M. Gould 1878 | Wilson House 1881 

TREASURERS. 

William Yule 1876-7 I Thomas M. Gould 1880 

Gilbert B^stido 187S | Charles C. Kane 1881 

William Yule 187!) | 

JUSTICES. 

William Y T ule, T. M. Gould and | William Y'ule. 1879 

Gilbert Bastido 1876-7 I T. M. Gould 1880 

W. C. Galloway, T. M. Gould. .1878 

Up to the present time very little has been done toward the de- 
velopment of this section of the country. That it is capable of 
high cultivation cannot be doubted. It only awaits the labor of the 
husbandman to yield up its store of wealth. Within a few years 
this primeval land will be dotted with the homesteads of a prosper- 
ous people, and all the obstacles which the wild state of the town- 
ship now offers removed. 



MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP 

embraces within its borders 36 full sections, and is without 
doubt one of the best agricultural townships in the county; much 
of its territory is still covered with timber, mostly of hardwood; 
it has a variety of soil, gravelly, stony, sandy loam and clay. Its 
lands are drained by the Mistiguay creek or river, which passes 
through its eastern border, several branches of the same passing 
through the township in different directions. The township was 
first settled nearly 30 years ago, by a man by the name of John 
Hammer. He located in section 36, on land that was given him 
by a speculator, if he would remain upon it and make an improve- 
ment. John w ' hammered " away, and improved about three acres, 
on which he had built a shanty, when he became disgusted or dis- 
couraged, and returned to whence he came. The next to settle 
in the limits of the township was Joseph Yoith. 

The first town meeting was held in a log house, then the house 
of James Y. Judd, in April, 1S67; there were 17 votes polled, which 
resulted in Branson Turner being chosen Supervisor; Simon E. 
Trumbull, Clerk; and Horatio W. Felt, Treasurer. 

The first school-house was built in 1850, of basswood, slabs. 

The first teacher to preside was a Miss Malvina Perry receiving 
for her labors 75 cents per week, and " boarding round." 

The agricultural productions for the year 1880 were 30,8S3 bush- 
els of wheat. 25,782 of corn, 13,<»52 of oats, 42,069 pounds of 
butter, 10,827 dozen of eggs, while the same year the assessment 
showed in the township 20<» farms and a population of 1,378. Joseph 
Payne raised the first grain in the township. In harvesting the 
same, he and his wife cut two acres with butcher-knives. 

The first church building erected in this township, was St. 
Michael's Catholic church, located on the northeast corner of the 
northeast quarter of section 28, and was completed in 1865. It is 
a neat frame building 26 feet wide by 36 feet long. The congre- 
gation consisted only of five families at that time; and they were 
" pioneers,"' and had very limited means. The Rev. Father Louis 
Vandriss, now of Lansing, was the first pastor. The congre- 
gation now numbers 75 families. The Pev. Father Peis, of East 
Saginaw, now has charge of the parish. 

The first religious service held in the township was about 25 
years ago, immediately after the bass-wood school-house had given 
way to one of logs. In this building John White preached; he 
belonged to a society called the " Denomination of God." 

The citizens of this township are well provided with educational 
facilities, and quite a contrast is presented to the first bass-wood 
shanty erected for that purpose. There are now seven public- 

(865) 



866 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



school buildings, which daring the year 1880 were attended by 
300 scholars; each of the seven school districts average a session of 
eight months annually. To pay the salaries of teachers, there was 
expended in 1880, $1,187.50. 

Besides the above is a school kept in the Catholic church on 
section 28, under the auspices of that denomination. It has an at- 
tendance of 75 scholars. Here both English and German are 
taught. This school has been in successful operation for the past 
five years. The present teacher is Mr. Albert Klees. 

There is but one store. It is located in the center of the town- 
ship, and kept by Keeler & Co. The place is named Layton's 
Corners. A blacksmith-shop is the only other business carried on 
there. In the store is kept the postofh'ce, Mr. Albert Klees being 
the present postmaster. There is another, named Elk Postoffice, 
located on the southeast quarter of section 25. 

There are three saw-mills in this township, all run by steam, 
located as follows: on the northwest corner of section 19, the north- 
west quarter of section 9, and the northwest quarter of section 6. 
Leavitt's shingle-mill is on the northeast quarter of section 24. 

ORGANIC. 

The township was organized under the following order, under 
date of Jan. 1, 1857: 

Whereas, Application has been made to the Board of Supervisors of the 
county of Saginaw by petition, which said petition is signed by more than 12 free- 
holders of the unorganized territory of township number 9 north, of range 4 east, 
under the jurisdiction of the township of Chesaning, in the county of Saginaw, 
in the State of Michigan, and within the legal boundaries of said county of Sag- 
inaw, to organize the said territory into a township, to be known and designated 
by the name of Maple Grove ; therefore be it 

Resolved, That the unorganized territory above mentioned be, and the same is, 
hereby organized into a township, to be known and designated by the name of 
Maple Grove ; and it is further 

Mesolved, That the first township meeting in said unorganized territory be held 
on the first Monday of April, 1857, and that the same be held at the house of John 

W. Peltz. in said township, and that Brunson Turner, Bull and J. W. Peltz, 

electors of said township, shall preside at said meeting, and exercise the same 
powers as the inspectors of elections at any township meeting. 

SUPERVISORS. 



Brunson Turner 1857 

John Hunter 1858 

Stephen Bull 1859-'60 

John Hunter 1861-'3 

Geo. M. Mead 1864 

R. R. Farnsworth 1865-'6 

John Hunter 1867 



R. R. Farnsworth 1868-'9 

John Hunter 1870-'l 

George M. Mead 1872-':J 

J. L. Carmer 1874 

John Hunter 1875 

J. Northwood 1876-'80 

H. Magoffen 1881 



I 



MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP. 



86T 



CLERKS. 



s E. Trumbull 1857 

Chester Mimro 1858-'60 

W L. Worth 1861-'2 

J. Northwood 1863-'5 

Ilenrv James 1866 

John Northwood l867-'8 

1 1. 'nrv James 1869-'70 



George Hadley ,1870-'l 

Johu Northwood 1872 

Henry .Tames 1ST- i 

James Massey 1875-'6 

R. Nuuemaker 1877 

Albert Elees 1878-'8.l 



TREASURERS. 



J. V. Judd 1857 

II. W. Fell 1858-'9 

T. J. Parmelee l860-'4 

W. L. Worth l865-'7 

J. L. Carmer 1868-'73 



< reorge Hadley 1871 

George Rolfe " 1875 

George Hadley l876-'8 

J. V. Judd 1879-'80> 

Frank Morrison 1881 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Stephen Bull 1857-'8 

Freeman Turner 1857-'60 

George Smith . 1857-'9 

II. W. Felt 1858 

T. J. Parmelee 1859 

Abram Smith 1860-'H 

E. E. Miller 1861-'4 

James Ferrill 1861 

John Hunter. l862-'o 

Jos. Voith. . . 1862 

T. J. Parmelee 1863-'6 

George Smith 1865'8 

J. Austin ' 1865 

Andrew S. Smith 1866'9 

Abram Smith 186B 

John Hunter l867-'70 

Benj. Franklin 1868-71 



George M. llenio-e 1869 

R. R. Farnsworth l870- r 3 

J. Northwood 1871'4 

II. James 1872 

George M. Henitre 1873 

R R. Farnsworth 187+ 

W. L. Worth 1874 

Win. Glazier 1875 

Hi ram E. Slocum 18:6 

II. James 1876 

Wm. Babcock 1877-'8 

Reuben L. Smith 1879 

John Northwood 1880 

Andrew S. Smith 1880 

James Massey 1881 

F. J. Loewen 1881 



LAND-BUYERS. 



The first land-buyers in the township of Maple Grove are given 
as follows: 



Ira Davenport, see 1, April 20, 1854 
Alba Carpenter, see 1. Nov 8, 1854 
William Tremain, sec 1, Aug 12, 1854 
BylvanusA. Hallack,sec 1, Aug 14,1854 
Lucius Dibble, sec 2, Dee 00. 1854 
Ira Davenport, sec 2, May 6, 18o4 
Henry Scarr, sec 2, Feb 6, 1855 
Alex. McArthur, sec 2, April 7. 1836 
Erastus P. Hastings, sec 2, April 7, 1836 
Bi-n. F. II. Witherell, sec 2, April 7, 1836 
Thorn. L. L. Brent, sec 2, March '38, 1836 
Daniel LeRoy, sec 2, Aug 25, 1836 
Charles P. Woodruff.sec 2, June 10, 1836 
Elon Farnsworth, sec >>. Junes;, [836 
Alex. McAnhur, sec 3, April 7, 1836 
ErastusP. Hastings, sec3, April 7, 1836 
Ben. F. II. Witherell, sec 3, April 7 

and 13,1836 
James Davidson, sec 3, April 8, 1836 



Joel B. Fairchild, sec 3, Jan 30, 1855 
John Williams, sec 3, April 27, 1836 
Nich. C. Hay ward, sec 3, Sept 13, 18:56; 
John Gallagher, sec 4, July 27,1853 
Charles T. Disbrow, sec 4, "Nov 9, 1854 
Amos Davis, sec 4, Nov !), 1854 
Peter S. Baldwin, sec 4, Nov «.i,, 1864 
Henry Brewer, sec 4, Dec 7, 1854 
John'H. Vreeland, sec 4, Nov 9, 1854 
John Gallagher, sec 5, July 27, and 

Aug 2, 1853 
Joseph McNamee, sec 5, Dec 22, 1834 
Maurice II. Bliss, sec 5, Nov 9, 1854 
Willard Parker, sec 6, Au°- 1, 1854. and 

July 20 and 27, 1853 
George Mapet, sec 6, Nov 9, 1854 
Willard Parker, sec 6, Aug 1, 1853 
James R. Jackman, sec 7, Oct 11 and 

13. 1836 



8oS 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



Sarah P. Richardson, sec 8, Oct 19,1836 
George W. Slayton, set 8, Oct 13, 1836 
John W. Stebbins, sec 8, Dec 24, 1836 
Henry G. Stebbins, sec 8, Dec 24, 1836 
Allen N. Nourse, sec 8, Oct 12, 1836 
John W. Stebbins, sec 9, Dec 24, 1836 
Henry G. Stebbins, sec 9, Dec 24, 1836 
Alfred A. Coye, sec 9, Oct 22, 1836 
Nich. C. Hayward, sec 9, Sept 13, 1836 
Jonathan Faitoute, sec 10 Aug 27, 1836 
William Parsons, sec 10, Oct 11, 1836 
Samuel C. Russell, sec 10, Oct 11, 1836 
Ralph Hall, sec 10, Aug 27, 1836 
Aden Mitchell, sec 10, Nov 9, 1854 
Colby Clew, sec 11, April 16, 1836 
Chas. P, Woodruff, sec 11, June 10, 1836 
James Wadsworth, sec 11, July 7, 1836 
Henry W.Hopkins, sec 12, July 22, 1853 
William Tremain, sec 12, Aug 12, 1854 
William Mitchell, sec 12 Nov 9, 1854 
Colby Clew, sec 12, April 16. 1836 
Ira Davenport, sec 13, May 22, 1854 
Siias G. Miller, sec 13, Feb 7, 1855 
William Tremain, sec 13, Aug 12, 1854 
Colby Clew, sec 13, April 16, 1836 
Smith Doubleday, sec 14, Nov 9, 1854 
Joseph M. Glasin, sec 14, Aug 27, 1836 
Thomas McGee, sec 14, Nov 10, 1854 
Samuel Gage, sec 15, Aug 27. l s 36 
Jacob Badger, sec 15, Aug 2?, 1836 
Andrew Murphy, sec 15, Nov 9, 1854 
Jobn W. Stebbins, sec 17, Dec 24, 1836 
Henry G. Stebbins, sec 17, Dec 24, 1836 
Gideon Lee, sec 18, Dec 24, 1836 
Thomas J. Willev, sec 19, Nov 9, 1854 
Israel E. Godley, sec 19, Nov 9, 1854 
Ira Sperry, sec 19, Nov 9, 1854 
George Colt, sec 20, Nov 9, 1854 
Wm. H. Overli.»lt, sec 20, Nov 9, 1854 
Steven Gregory, sec 20, Nov 9, 1854 
John S. Smith, sec 21, March 24, 1855 
Oscar F. Bantley, sec 21, Nov 9, 1854 
Francis C. Gray, sec 21, Nov 9, 1854 
John F. Bliss, sec 22, June 7, 1836 
Daniel Tapper, sec 22, Nov 7, 1854 
Thomas H. Nesbit, sec 22, Nov 9, 1854 
Cornelius McGee. sec 22, Nov 9, 1854 



Edward M. Tapper, sec 23, Nov 9, 1854 
Clarkson Morgan, sec 23, Aug 27, 1836 
Joseph Lawrence, sec 24, May 2, 1836 
Peter F. Ewer, sec 21, July 14, 1836 
Hiram E. Slocum, sec. 25,' Nov 9, 1854 
Peter F. Ewer, sec 25, July 14, 1836 
James Judd, sec 26, Nov 9, 1854 
James Harkness, sec 26, Aug 27, 1836 
Orson Bouck, sec 26. Nov 9, 1854 
Gab. V. N. Hetfield, sec 27, Aug 27, 1836 
George Buchanan, sec 27, Dec 8, 1854 
Joseph Voith, sec 27, May 30, 1855 
Norman Chapin, sec 27, Nov 14, 1854 
Robert W. Dallam, sec 28, Nov 10, 1854 
Steven Crocker, sec 28, Nov 10, 1854 
Martin McGuiness, sec 29, Nov 9, 1854 
Francis M. Ingersoll sec 29, Nov 6, 1S54 
Horatio Belcher, sec 29, Nov 25, 1854 
Eugene George, sec 29. Nov 9, 1854 
F. M. Ingersoll, sec 30, Nov 11, 1854 
Wm Richards, jr., sec 30, Nov 9, 1854 
Chester Munro,'sec 30, Nov 11, 1854 
Elias J. Bump, sec 30, Nov 9, 1854 
John W. Griffin, sec 31. Nov 9, 1854 
Steven Ball, sec 31, Nov 11, 1854 
Tim. B Galigher, sec 32, Nov 27, 1854 
Rufus Trumbull, sec 32, Nov 27. 1854 
Norman Mills, sec 32, Nov 9, 1S54 
Emery Cobb, sec 33, Oct 15, 1836 
Edmund Rolfe, sec 33. Nov 7, 1854 
Georee Rolle. sec 33, Nov 8, 1854 
Thomas Collins, sec 33, Nov 9, 1854 
Joshua S. Johnson, sec 34, Nov 9, 1854 
AsaDenison, jr., sec 34, Oct 15, 1836 
Luther James, sec 34, Oct 19, 1836 
George Smith, sec 34, Nov 9, 1854 
Asahel Judd, sec 35, Nov 9. 1X54 
Carlos Marsh, sec 35, April 15, 1837 
L. James, sec 35, Oct 21, 1836 
John W. Petty, sec 35, Nov 6, 1854 
Wm. Northwood, sec 35, Dec 29, 1*54 
L. James, sec 36, Oct 19 and 21, 1836 
Ebenezer Conkling. sec 36, Nov 12, 1836 
Elisha B. Strong, sec 36, June 4, 1836 
Almeron Brotherton, sec 36, Oct 18, 1836 
Joseph Lawrence, sec 36, May 2, 1836 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



In the personal history of the tp., many important events are 
noticed and much information at once interesting and instructive 
given: 

Joseph Artman, farmer, sec. 15. was born in Bavaria, Germany,, 
Aug. 25, 1825. He came to the United States in 1857, and located 
at Sheboygan, Wis., where he worked in a saw-mill for some time 
and lost two fingers of his left hand. He removed to Hancock, 
Houghton Co., in the Lake Superior region, and there carried 
on an extensive harness-making establishment for some time. He 
is a thorough workman, having followed that trade for 32 years. In 



MAPLE GRCH i: l<>\\ N8HIP. 869 

1869 lie removed to Maple Grove tp., where he bought 120 acres 
of timbered land. While a resident of Houghton county, he had 
a house burned down, in which lay the corpse of one of his chil- 
dren. His wife moved the body twice as the lire advanced, and 
the shock to her nervous system, and the cold which settled on her 
Langs, proved fatal, and she died in Maple Grove tp., April 11, 
1870, exactly one year after the fire. 

Hiram T. Austin, farmer, sec. 20, was born in Cattaraugus Co., 
N. Y., Jan. 21, 1833. He is a son of Jonathan and Lydia (Durkee) 
Austin, father a native of New York, and mother of Vermont, both 
of English descent. When 10 years of age Mr. Austin accom- 
panied his uncle to Orion, Oakland Co., Mich., and in the fall ot 
1852 went to East Saginaw, where, for seven years, he worked in 
saw-mills in summer seasons, and in the pineries during the win- 
ters. In the fall of 1859 he bought 80 acres of land in this tp., 40 
of which he subsequently traded for two three-year-old steers, one 
cow. one yearling heifer, and $50 worth of wheat and flour. At Nash- 
ville, Tenn., October, 1863, he entered Co. A, -1th Mich. Cav., under 
Capt. Leach (afterward Capt. Stone), and was honorably discharged 
at Nashville, Aug. 23, 1865. He was married at East Saginaw 
Jau. 2, 1S57, to Ann Maria, daughter of Lawed and M,aria A. 
Worth, who was born in Canada Dec. 13, 1835. Two children 
were given them, Sasson J., born March 17, 1861, and Jared L., 
born June 26, 1853. Mrs. Austin died April 2, 1878, and he was 
again married June 6, 1880, to Sarah E., daughter of David S. and 
Elizabeth Irland. 

William Babeock, farmer, was born at Geneva, Seneca Co., N. 
V.. Sept. 15, 1825, and was the first son born to John and Acsah 
(Palmer) Babeock, natives of Jefferson Co.. N. Y.; subject of 
sketch was educated in common schools; in 1814 went to Ca} 7 uga 
Co., O., and in 1860 to Maple Grove tp., where he bought a quarter 
section of land; at Brooklyn, O., Oct. 16, 1S61, he enlisted in Co. 
K, 41st Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and was slightly wounded in the left 
temple by a piece of a shell at the battle of Mission Ridge; lay in 
hospital two weeks and was then discharged; married Elizabeth, 
daughter of David W. Poe, of Pennsylvania; have 3 children — 
Maria, born in Madison Co., Wis.; Solon, born at Brooklyn, 
Cayuga Co., < >., Now 6, I860, and Joseph, born in Maple Grove 
tp., Oct. 8, I86fi ; subject is a Greenbacker, and was a Justice of the 
Peace for two terms. 

Jason Carmer, fourth son of Silas and Catherine (Carmer) 
Carmer, was born at Clarence, Erie Co., X. Y., Sept. 14. 1842. 
His father was born in New York, Oct. 18, L797, of English 
descent, and died Nov. 13, 1877. His mother was born in New 
Jersey of German descent. By occupation, Mr. C. is a farmer. 
He came to Maple Grove tp. March 1<>. 1877, and bought 60 acres 
<>f land on sec. 32, 20 a-res of which arc now under cultivation. 
He was married at Clarence, Erie Co., X. Y.. Jan. 17, 1866, to 
Adeline A., daughter of Elijah and Catherine Rappleyea, born 



870 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

at Amherst, Erie Co., N. Y., March 11, 1848. They have had 6 
children, 5 born at Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y. Clarence O., born 
Dec. 7, 1866; Jason L., born March 11, 1868; Cyrus E., born 
March 30, 1870; Catherine L., born Jan. 12, 1872, and Cyrenius 
E., born Sept. 26, 1877. In politics Mr. C. is a Republican, and 
himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He served 
100 days in Co. 15, 98th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf. He enlisted at 
Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1864, and was discharged 
Dec. 22, 1864, at Buffalo, N. Y. 

WinfieldlS. Carpenter, agriculturist, was born at Herman, St. 
Lawrence Co., X. Y., Nov. 7, 1842. His parents are Russell 
and Rebecca (Reid) Carpenter, father a native of Herkimer Co., 
JST. Y., and mother a native of Salem, Vt., both of English descent. 
Mr. Carpenter first located in Michigan in the fall of 1866. After 
residing for some time in Oakland and Lapeer counties, in 1876, 
he exchanged farms with a Mr. Stewart, receiving 80 acres of land 
in this tp. He has 25 acres under cultivation. At Canton, JST. Y., in 
September, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A. 60th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., 
and served three years in the army of the Potomac, and on board 
a man-of-war for one year. He was a prisoner at Belle Isle for 
one month. He was honorably discharged in September, 1865. Mr. 
Carpenter was married in Oakland Co., Mich., to Sarah L. Allen, 
who was born Feb. 20, 1845. They have 1 child, Katie, born in 
October, 1873. 

Harvey Carte/; farmer, was born at Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 31, 
1841. His parents are Ira F. and Elizabeth A. (Curtis) Carter, 
the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Montrose 
Co., Fa., both of English descent. Harvey was educated in the 
high school at Mosier, Crawford Co., Pa., and has taught school 
several terms. He also worked at the cooper's trade six years. 
In 1861 he located at Joliet, 111., and a year later in the Lake 
Superior region, where he held several tp. offices. He settled in 
Maple Grove tp. in 1*74, and bought 80 acres of land, 15 of which 
he has improved. He was married Oct. 16, 1866, to Martha, 
daughter of Isaac and Mary Fisher, who was born in Sheboygan 
Co., Wis., June 12, 1S45. They have 7 children — Lemira A., 
Martha E., Elizabeth A., Reuben M., Lillian H., Harvey F., jr., 
and William W. Mr. Carter and wife are consistent members of 
the M. E. Church, and he is a Republican. 

Thomas S. Casson,Hr&t son of Mordecai and Sarah S. (Stronger- 
harm) Casson, was born at Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., June 15, 
1838. His father was born at Thorne, Yorkshire, Eng., Oct. 12, 
1802. His mother was born at Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y., and 
died Oct. 19, 1878. He was educated in the common schools of 
New York, and attended one term at Alfred University, Allegany 
Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1860. When 15 years of age he removed 
to Steuben Co., N. Y., and was there married, Dec. 31, 1863, to 

Martha, daughter of Asahel and Mary , who was born at 

Tuscarora, Steuben Co., K Y., Jan. 11, 1840. They have 7 chil- 
dren — the first 2, Clarence and Mordecai, were twins, and born 



MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP. 871 

in Steuben Co., N. Y., July 24, 1864; Hn<;li Gr., born May 26, 
1868; Sarah, born at Rush, Shiawassee Co., Mich.. March 17, 1871; 
Ernest, born at Bennington, Shiawassee Co., Mich., Dec. 11, 187:.'; 
Mary, born July 14, 1877, and Olive I., born March 6, 1879. 
Mr. Oasson came to Maple Grove tp. in December, 1875, and 
bought 80 acres of land on the northwest quarter of sec. 20, 
where he now resides. 

William L. 1>< neen (deceased) was the first son of John N. and 
Ann (Chapman) Deneen, the former a native of Milton, O., of Ger- 
man and Irish descent, and the mother a native of Yonngstown, O. 
(born March 22, 1815). Mr. Deneen was a lumberman by occupa- 
tion, and led a varied life from the age of 17 years until 1871, 
when he bought 40 acres of land on sec. 4, 25 of which he im- 
proved. Mr. Deneen was married Dec. 31, 1870. to Laura, daughter 
of Tobias and Laura Reeser. They have 3 children — Joseph N., 
born Feb. 10, 1871; Ariadna, born April 15, 1879, and John T., 
born Sept. 18. 1S80. Mr. Deneen was appointed Deputy Sheriff 
of Saginaw county, and after serving some 13 months had occasion 
to arrest a noted horse-thief by the name of Clark, alias Bayard, 
and while doing so received a pistol ball in the shoulder, from the 
effects of which he died in St. Mary's Hospital at East Saginaw. 
March 21, 18S1. 

James Ferril, one of the oldest settlers of Maple Grove tp., and 
second son of John and Olive (Montgomery) Ferril, was born in 
Milton tp., Richland Co., O., Sept. 18, 1819. He removed to 
Fulton, Indiana, in the fall of 1842, and went to work on a farm, 
where he remained four years, then went to Monroe Co., Mich., 
and after residing there nine years, came to Maple Grove tp., in 
the spring of 1857. He bought the southwest quarter of sec. 
15. He now has 120 acres, 53 of which are under cultivation. 
When he arrived in Maple Grove tp., he possessed an ox team, two 
cows, one yearling heifer, and five dollars in cash. His land cost- 
him two and one-half dollars per acre, and having no money he 
took a job at chopping and clearing 17 acres to pay for his 160 
acres, and procured his deed from probate court. He had to 
cut his own road, a distance of eight miles, through the timber to 
get to his land. He was married in Monroe Co., Mich., March 2, 
1846, to Clarissa, daughter of Benjamin and Joanna Mann; of 
their 4 children, 3 are living — George B., born in Washtenaw 
Co., Mich., April 9, 1850; Olive J., born in Washtenaw county, 
Aug. 22, 1857. and William F., born in Maple Grove tp., Sag- 
inaw Co.. Aug. 5, 1860. In politics Mr. Ferril is a Republican. 

Benjamin Fianklin,ux\\y son of John and Chloe (Dibble) Frank- 
lin, was born at Florida, Montgomery Co. N.Y., June 12, 1818, and 
is of English descent. By occupation he is a tanner, although he 
hae been engaged in lumbering a number of winters. He came to 
Maple Grove tp., in the spring of 1863, and purchased 240 acres 
of land on sec. 32. He now has 12<> acres, 32 of which are 
under cultivation. He is one of the earliest settlers in this tp. 



872 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

He has been Justice of the Peace four years, and is a member 
of the AVesleyan Methodist Church. He was married at Tonawanda, 
Erie Co., N. Y., to Minerva, daughter of John and Giffa Hatch, 
who was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Nov. 7. 1817, and died in Maple 
Grove tp.,Mar. 28, 1874. They had lo children born in Erie Co., 
N. Y., 8 of whom are living— John B., born March 23, 1839; Free- 
love J., born June 6, 1843; Wesley D., born Aug. 23, 1846; Asa 
O., born June 30, 1847; MinaA., born Aug. 24, 1854; Nancy M., 
born June 26, 1858; and the deceased are — Minerva M., born 
April 26, 1842, died Mav 24, 1872; Esther A., born Aug. 20, 1851, 
and died Sept. 13, 1851; William H., born July 20, 1852, and died 
Sept. 6, 1852; Mary C, born Nov. 12, 1856, died May 3, 1857. He 
was again married Sept. 7, 1874, to Leah Totten, who was born at 
Gilderland, Albany Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1828; she was the daughter 
of Samuel and Agnes (Sixbee) Totten. 

Mrs. Franklin was the widow of Peter Waldroff, when she was 
married to Mr. Franklin. Mr. Waldroff was a native of Schoharie 
Co.,N.Y., and died at Flint, Mich., in 1871, and left to his widow 
2 children — Marion Eugene, born April 2, 1849. and Mary E., 
born in November, 1852. 

William, Glazier, jr., farmer, sec. 33, was born at Staunton, 
Lincolnshire, Eng., July, 13, 1832. His parents were Will- 
iam, sr., and Elizabeth (Hard} 7 ) Glazier. William was educated 
in England, and in 1855 came to the United States, locating at 
Howell, Livingston Co., Mich. He resided in Macomb Co., Mich., 
about eight years, and in 1871 bought 160 acres of timbered land 
in Maple Grove tp., where he has since resided. He was mar- 
ried Jan. 3, 1875, to Mrs. Irena Glazier, widow of Thomas Gla- 
zier (dee.) and daughter of John and Sarah A. Savage. She was 
born at Almont, Lapeer Co., Mich., July 23, 1S49. They have 
1 child, Ilda May, born Aug. 13, 1879. Mr. Glazier has 35 acres 
of his farm under cultivation, and politically is a Democrat. 

P. A. Green, agriculturist, sec. 16, was born at Amherst, Erie 
Co., N. Y., July 8, 1837, of Scotch and English descent. He is 
the third son of Francis and Rebecca (McNeil) Green; father was 
born in Massachusetts, July 15, 1810, and died at Burton, Genesee 
Co., Mich.; mother was a native of Rhode Island, and died at Am- 
herst, N. Y. Mr. Green located at Flint, Mich., in 1862, and re- 
moved to Maple Grove tp., Oct. 16, 1867. He bought 120 acres of 
land. 80 acres of which he has improved. Mr. Green is a pioneer 
of this tp., and has been prominently identified with all its public 
improvements. On Aug. 8, 1879, his barn was burned with all the 
grain, hay and other crops he had raised that year, besides three 
horses, and most of his farming implements. His loss was esti- 
mated at $4,000. Mr. G. was married April 11, 1864, to Mina J., 
daughter of Amos P. and Emeline J. Watkins, who was born Nov. 
28, 1844. They have 4 children — Clarence C, born at Burton, 
Mich., June 25, 1865; Bertha R., born Feb. 9, 1871; Lennie F., 
born Oct. 19, 1875, and Clare R., born June 28, 1879. 



MAPLE GROVE TOWN8BTP. ^T-'> 

Leonard Haffner, farmer, sec. 22, was born in Baden, Germany, 
in L833; bie parents 9 names were Lonis and Elizabeth (Kellerman) 
Haffner. Leonard Haffner came to America in 1853, and located 
at Baltimore, Marvland. In 1857 he went to Canada, and in 1860 
located 80 acres of land in this tp., 7<> of which he has improved. 
He was an early settler in Maple Grove tp.; he has been tp. Com- 
missioner, and is a Republican. He was married in Canada, in 
1859, to Susanna, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Barnhart. They 
have 5 children— Mary E., born April 14, 1864; Plnebe C, born 
Feb. 14, L866; Calvin Lewis, born Sept. 12, 1867; Emma, born Feb. 
:'». L869, and Rebecca, born July 10, 1870. Mrs. Haffner died in 1874, 
and Mr. II. was again married, May 11, 1875, to Elizabeth, daughter 
of John and Ann Shook. ."> children have been given them — George 
\\\. born Feb. 7, 1876; Cora E., born Sept, 8, 1879, and John G., 
born March 24, 1881. Mr. Haffner and wife are members of the 
Protestant Methodist Church. 

George M. Henige, farmer, sec. 27, was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, Feb. 20, 1829, and is a son of Anthon and Magdalene (Jara- 
bon) Henige. He passed his early life in Germany, attending 
school and acting as salesman until 17 years of age, when he ac- 
companied his parents to Ohio, where he resided 18 years. In 1862 
he came to this county to see his brother-in-law, Joseph Voith, the 
first settler in Maple Grove tp., and in the winter of 18r»3 bought 
404 acres of land, 65 of which he has since improved. He is Demo- 
cratic in politics, and has served as Justice of the Peace six or 
seven years. He was married in Ohio to Ann Maria Voith. They 
have 6 children — Sarah Elizabeth, Severinus, Maria Louisa, George 
M., Mary and Henry. The first two are natives of Ohio, and the 
remainder of this county. ' 

Jacob Henige, farmer, sees. 22 and 27. was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, June 16, L836. He is a son of Anthony and Mary M. 
(Shambo) Henige. In L846 he accompanied his parents and 
tli roe brothers to this country, and settled at Vernon, Crawford 
Co., <).. when- he bought 36 acres of land, and also farmed 36 
acres belonging to his brother. After a residence of 25 years at 
Vernon, in the spring of 1871, he settled on 80 acres of land on 
sec. 27. which he had purchased of his brother in 1867. He also 
bought 80 acres on sec. 22. He now has 60 acres under cultivation. 
He is Democratic in politics. He was married June 3, 1862, to 
Mary A., daughter oi John and Mary A. Sutter, who was born at 
Vernon, O., Sept. L6, 1841. They have 7 children— Mary S., 
Jacob, Ann 8., Mary T.. Rosa 1> . Mary F. and Barbara M. ' Mr. 
II. and family are members of the German Catholic Church. 

Ephrairn aoskzns, Wining-, was bom at Shefford, Lower Canada, 
May 4. 1M4. He is the second son of Joab and Lvdia ( Spaulding) 
Eloskins, natives of Canada, of English ancestry. Mr. LToskins 
removed to Spencer, Medina Co.. Ohio,inl849, and in 1S55 located 
4<» acres of land in this tp., 20 of which he has improved. He 
was married in Canada. June 23, L840, toLenora, daughter of Eze- 



874 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

kiel Lewis. They have 4 children — Lucy C, horn at Shefiord, 
Can., April 7, 1843; Roxana, born at Harrisonville, O., Nov. 8, 
L848; Carrie P., born at Spencer, O., Aug. 20, 1852; and Hiram 
R, born at Flushing, Genesee Co., Midi., Feb. 9, 1856. Mr. 
Hoskins is a Republican. 

Martin I. Hulbert, son of James S. and Alma L. (Doud) Hul- 
bert, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Nov. 29, 1837. His father was 
born at Morristown, Morris Co., N. Y., of English descent; his 
mother in Rutland Co., Vt., of Irish descent. He received 
his education in the common schools of Ohio, and in the spring 
of 1853, removed with his parents to Clinton Co., Mich. After a 
residence of 27 years in Clinton county, he came to Maple Grove 
tp., Mar. 16, 1880, and bought 104 acres of land on sec. 19, 40 of 
which are under cultivation. Fie was married at Essex, Clinton 
Co., Mich., Jan. 18, 1866, to Mrs. Sarah Cook, daughter of Will- 
iam and Jane Jones, who was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., 
May 5, 1833. They have 4 children, all natives of Clinton Co., 
Mich. —dames T., born Dec. 3, 1866; William O., born May 16, 
1868; Alma L., born April 16, 1870 and OmerF., born Nov. 23, 
1876. Mr. Hulbert enlisted at Morristown, N. J., Sept. 6, 1865, 
in Co. C, 33d N. J. Yol. Inf., under Capt. C. E. Sutton, and 
served 10 months in the army of the Cumberland. In politics he 
is a Democrat. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

John Hunter, first and only son of William and Ann (Walzer) 
Hunter, was born in Springfield, Otsego Co., near Otsego Lake, 
Dec. 17, 1821. By occupation he is a farmer. He came to Pontiac, 
Oakland Co., June, 1830; moved to Flushing in 1848, then to 
Maple Grove in 1856. He is an old settler; came here when the 
tp. was all a wilderness, and cut his road a mile and a half through 
the woods to his place and built a log hut, which now stands on his 
place near the new one, and is kept as a postoffice. He bought 120 
acres of land, which was covered with timber, and now has the most 
of it under cultivation. He was married March 4,1845, to Matilda 
Stone, daughter of Win. F. Stone, of Commerce, Oakland Co., Mich. 
They have had 5 children — Albert W., born March 31, 1849; Mary 
E., April 5, 1851; John S., April 13, 1853; Ida M., Nov. 1, 1855; 
Newton B., born in Maple Grove, Oct. 20, 1866. The first 4 were 
born in Flushing. Mr. H. was the second Supervisor in the tp., and 
held that office for 10 years; Justice of the Peace 12 years, and vari- 
ous other tp. offices and has been Postmaster 15 years. In politics 
he is a Greenbacker. His wife belongs to the Methodist ciass of 
Maple Grove. He enlisted in Flushing, Genesee Co., Aug. 27, 
1864, in the 13th Mich. Batter}' under Capt. Charles Dupont, of 
Detroit, and served one year, doing post duty at Fort Reno. 

Madison Irland, farmer, sec. 13, was born in Monroe Co., N. 
Y., Jan 22, J 830. His parents were David S. and Elizabeth (De- 
Bar) Irland, father native of Milton, Northumberland Co., Pa., of 
Scotch descent, mother a native of Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., of 



MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP. 875 

German parentage. Madison learned the carpenter's trade in early 
life, which he followed for 10 years. In 1837 he located at Deerfield, 
Livingston Co., Mich., and in 1873 in this tp., where he bought 117 
acres o Hand on which he has made a number of good improve- 
ments. He was married at Flushing, Genesee Co., Mich.. Sept. 
19, 1S56, to Emma S., daughter of Thomas and Ann Hough, and a 
native of Stockport, England. Four children were <;iven them — 
Franklin, born July 7. 1858; Annie E., Oct. 26, 1864; Emma M., 
Feb. 12, 1 s 7 1 , and Madison, April 21, 1873. Mrs. Irland died, and 
Mr. I. was again married to Rachel A. Mead, daughter of Eli and 
Nancy Thomas. Mrs. Irland was born at Pittsfield, Warren Co., 
Pa., Sept. 26, 1852. They have 1 child— Elizabeth, born in Maple 
Grove tp., April 6, 1878. Mr. Irland is a Democrat. 

Henry Jumex, farmer, was born in Chautauqua Co., N.Y., in 
1825; parents were Robert and Betsey James, the former a 
native of Rhode Island, and the latter of Vermont; subject of 
sketch was educated in academ\ r at Fredonia, N. Y. ; subsequently 
taught school for eight years; came to Maple Grove tp. in I860, 
and bought a quarter section of land on sec. 15 ; afterward 
purchased 80 acres on sec. 27, in Maple Grove tp. ; Nov. 
13, 1862. he enlisted in Co. C. 7th Mich. Cav., Captain D. H. 
Darling, and accompanied that regiment in all its meander- 
ings through the war ; was once sent home for five months as 
recruiting agent; was discharged Nov. 13, 1865; is a faithful mem- 
ber of Republican party ; was married Oct. 10, 1852, to Phena M. 
Parmelee, who was born at Walworth, Marion Co., N. Y.; parents 
are Thomas J. and Chloe (Atwell) Parmelee; 5 children have 
been sent to seal this union — Harriet E., born in Chautauqua Co., 
N. Y., Nov. 1, 1851; Martha A., born at Flint, Genesee Co., 
Mich., Nov. 20, 1857; Frank G., born at Palmyra, Lenawee Co., 
Mich., Nov. 24, 1860; George N., born in Maple Grove tp., Sept. 3, 
1868, and De Land C., born in Maple Grove tp., April 11, 1873. 
Mrs. James is a member of the Church of God. 

Mr. James has served the tp. in nearly all of its various offices, 
among which is Tp. Clerk, Tp. Superintendent of Schools, etc. 
He was appointed in 1867, by the Governor of the State, State 
Road Commissioner, and served in that office for eight years, and 
supervised and laid out all the jobs for the building of the Clio 
and Chesaning State road; 3,000 acres of land were appropriated 
for this purpose, and a large amount of money; all this passed 
through Mr. James' hands in payment for work on this road; he 
has served as Justice of the Peace 12 years, and now occupies 
that office; he has been very active in promoting the cause of edu- 
cation, in building school-houses, etc., etc., and has been School 
Director of his district continuously since his residence here. 

Jmnes V. Jndd was born in Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., in 
1822. He was the third son of Asahel and Catherine (Yincent) 
Judd. His father was born in New Britain, Hartford Co., Conn.; 



876 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

his mother was born in Little Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y.; both 
of English descent; by occupation lie is a farmer, and he received 
his education in the common schools of New York. He moved to 
Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., in 1S45, and in 1854 he removed to 
Maple Grove. He was the fourth settler in the tp. He bought 
160 acres of land, and since then has purchased 100 more, situated 
in sec. 35. He was married Oct. 8, 1840, to Nancy S. Bouck, the 
daughter of Jacob and Martha Bouck. She died Aug. 8, 1849. Of 
their 4 children 1 is living — Seymour A., born Sept. 3. 1846 
in Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., Mich. Mr. Judd married again, this 
time Persis L. Ganson, daughter of Nathau and Julia Ganson, > 
Genesee Co., N. Y. They have 11 children — Ordell, John, Hat- 
tie, Elmer, Ganson, Albert, Delphina, Cyrus, Pearl, Dorr, Theo- 
dore. Mr. J. has been Tp. Treasurer 2|- years, and was the first 
Treasurer of the tp. Mr. J. and wife belong to the Church of God, 
in Maple Grove. He enlisted in Owosso, Shiawassee Co., Aug. 29, 
1862, in Co. G, 6th Mich. Cav., under Captain George A. Drew; he 
served until April 25, 1863, and was discharged on account of disease 
contracted by exposure. He served as teamster in Washington. 

Albert Klees, school-teacher, and farmer, was born at Shelby, 
Richmond Co., Ohio, Aug. 8, 1853. His parents were Nicholas 
and Cecilia (Y^etzen) Klees ; father a native of Prussia ; mother, 
of Switzerland, and came to this country in 1833, while the former 
came some years later. Both are deceased. When Mr. Klees 
was 16 years of age, he went to Atlantic, Iowa, where he clerked 
in his uncle's store. He afterward clerked in a store at Shelby, 
( )hio. In 1874 he entered Kline & Rowland's Commercial Academy 
at uberlin, O., from which he graduated Nov. 27, 1874. In April, 
1877, Mr. K. came to Michigan, and located at Layton Corners, in 
this tp., opening a general store, in company with a Mr. Keeler. 
A year later Mr. K. bought his partner's interest, but soon after 
sold it to his former partner, and purchased 40 acres of timbered 
land on sec. 16, where he lived until 1880, when he bought 20 
acres on the same section, where he now resides. In 1878 he was 
appointed P.M. of "the Corners," which position he still occupies. 
On Nov. 3, 1880, he took charge of the parochial school, and has 
taught the same up to the present time. He is now serving his 
fourth term as Tp. Clerk. Mr. Klees was married at Bucyrus, O., 
Nov. 6, 1874, to Maria Gase. They have 2 children— I vo" Albums 
and Urban A. Mr. K. and wife are members of the Roman Cath- 
olic Church, and he is a Democrat. 

Harrison Magoffin, farmer, was born at Clarence, Erie Co., 
N. Y., Oct. 5, 1840. He is the second son of James H. and 
Elizabeth (Thompson) Magoffin ; father born near Gettysburg, Pa., 
in 1808 ; mother born in Pennsylvania; both of Scotch and Irish 
descent. Harrison enlisted at Columbus, O.. in the Signal Corps 
U. S. A., attached to Gen. O. O. Howard, under Gen. Sherman, on 
March 15, 1864, and was discharged Aug. 22, 1865. He was 
married Oct. 27, 1869, to Laura T., daughter of Madison Bagley, 
who was born at Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y., Nov. 25, 1850. They 



MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP. 879 

have 2 children — Laura F.. born in New York, Feb. 6, L871, and 
Minnie M., born in Maple Grove tp., Nov. Is. 1880. Mrs. Ma- 
goffin is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. M came to this tp. 
in L872, and bought 40 acres of land, 17 of which lie has improved, 
lie is ;i I >emocrat in politics. 

Q-eorgi Mmer, fanner, was bom in Medina*county near Cleveland, 
0., Oct. 3, L845. 1 Ie is the second son of Joseph P. and Levina 
(Johnson) Miner; father a native of Massachusetts; mother of New 
York; both of English descent. George was educated in Ohio, 
and in L872, bought 80 acres of land, where he now resides. He 
was married at Homerville, Medina Co., <).. Aug. 11, 1868, to 
[sabella, daughter of Augustus and Elizabeth Miller, wlio was born 
at Cleveland, O., Aug. 11. L849. Three children have been senl 
to lile^s this union — Joseph B., born in Medina Co. ,0., July 21, 
L869; Anivetre, born Oct. 21, 1874, and Mabel M, born Oct 12, 
1^7'.'. Mr. Miner believes in the principles of the Democratic 
party. 

John Northwood. — This gentleman is one of the most promi- 
nent, energetic and enterprising citizens of Maple Grove tp.. as 
well as one of its pioneers. The parents of John Northwood were 
William, who was born April 11, 1809, in Shropshire, England, 
and Mary, born in county of Norfolk, England, Aug. 29,1806. 
This family located on sec. 35 in November, 1851. They were 
almost the first settlers in the tp. limits, and were the first family 
that permanently settled within the borders of what is now known 
as Maple Grove tp. Joseph Yoith, a single man, and his father, 
had preceded them, however, some 10 days. William Northwood 
took up 160 acres of land and immediately erected a log shanty 
12x14. with a trough roof. Into this building he moved with his 
family of wife and 2 children. This land was in its virgin state 
and heavily timbered, and indeed the family were obliged to cut 
their road through four and one-half miles of forest and underbrush 
to reach their land on their first arrival. One hundred and twenty 
acres of this first 160 has been improved by John Northwood, 
and brought into a good state of cultivation. He has also added 
to his possessions, so that now he owns 280 acres of land, 170 being 
improved and subject to the plow. 

John Northwood, the subject of this sketch, was born at Addle 
Hill, St. Paul's Parish, London, England, July 17, 1838; from the 
age of 4 to 11 years he attended the parish schools of the city of 
London. In 1S49 his parents came from that city with their 
family and located at Wellington, Lorain Co., Ohio, where they 
remained for about one year, and then moved to New Hudson, 
Oakland Co., Mich.; but, not being satisfied with the new home, 
after about one year they went to Detroit, Mich. There they re- 
mained until 1854. During all this time John Northwood had 
been attending school whenever opportunity afforded, but soon 
after the family's arrival in Detroit, he, being in his 14th year and 
strong and hardy for his age, shipped as a cabin b:>y on board of 

53 



880 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

the steamer " Ruby." This boat ran between Detroit, Port Huron 
and Goderich, Canada. He followed the lakes three years, and 
then came with his father's family when they located in Maple 
Grove tp. 

Jan. 27, 1864, at Flushing, Genesee Co., Mich., he was married 
to Miss Martha Packard, a native of Flushing, and daughter of 
Origen and Savillah (Hartsock) Packard, the former a native of 
New Hampshire and of English descent, and the latter from Penn- 
sylvania, and of German ancestry. At 19 years of age Mr. North- 
wood had the full charge of his father's family and endured all the 
hardships of a pioneer life, not only in cutting and cleaning up the 
forest, but in hundreds of other ways. He was obliged at different 
times to pack provisions on his back from Flushing, a distance of 
10 miles, as he had no team. The country being sparsely settled, 
with bad roads, etc., a team could hardly get through. 

In 1861, the war of the Rebellion having broken out, Mr. North- 
wood entered the Union army as a private,'enlisting in Co. C, 16th 
Mich. Vol. Inf. He served with this regiment up to and through 
the Peninsula campaign. He participated in the siege of York- 
town, battle of Hanover Court-House, and the seven days' fight be- 
fore Richmond. At Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862, he was wounded 
in both arms by minie-balls, losing his strong right arm. He fell 
into the hands of the enemy at Savage Station, Va., June 30, and 
was by them confined in Libby prison for 26 days, when he was 
exchanged. He then repaired to Philadelphia and entered a hos- 
pital, remaining until Aug. 18, 1862, when he was honorably dis- 
charged from the service. He immediately returned to Maple 
Grove tp., and resumed the management of the farm. 

Mr. Northwood has always been a Republican, and has served 
his tp. in nearly all of its local offices. In 1863 he was elected 
Town Clerk, and the same year was appointed by the Provost Mar- 
shal of the 6th Congressional District, to the position of enrolling 
officer, with the rank of 2d Lieutenant. As such he enrolled the 
tps. of Maple Grove, Chesaning, Brady, Chapin, Brant, St. Charles 
and Fremont. Under this enrollment the apportionment of troops 
was made out to furnish men under the different calls of Presi- 
dent Lincoln. In this capacity Mr. Northwood served until the 
close of the war. For the last 21 years Mr. Northwood has con- 
tinuously held some office in the tp., among which have been Super- 
visor, Township Clerk, Justice of Peace, School Inspector and 
Constable. Mr. N. has also acted as Notary Public for the past 14 
years. He has always taken a deep and earnest interest in the 
cause of education, using his means and influence in promoting 
the same, and has acted as School Director for the past 14 years, 
and continuously a school officer in his district since its organization 
in 185S. Although Mr. N. is not a member of any Church, he has 
always given liberally of his means to support the gospel. 

Mr. Northwood and wife have a family of 2 children — named as 
follows: Mary S., born Dec. 20, 1864, and John W. (an adopted 



MAPLE <.i;o\ E TOWNSHIP. 881 

child and his nephew) born June 3, 1S70. Mr. Northwood's mother 
resides with him, and although 75 years of age is still active and 
enjoying good health. 

Mr. North wood has the best-improved farm in the tp. He has 
a large two-story-and-ell frame house nicely painted, that cost cash 
at least $1,500, built in 1873. It is surrounded by neat out-houses, 
while the grounds are well kept and inclosed by a picket fence. In 
L875 he erected a large and commodious stock and hay barn, 
equaled by none in the tp. The place is a most attractive one, and 
Mr. X. is surrounded with everything that is calculated to make a 
human being comfortable — with all the necessities and many of the 
luxuries of life. He is noted for his liberality toward those in 
needy circumstances; toward all that are worthy, he is ever ready 
to extend a helping hand. He is held in high esteem by all who 
know him, both at home and abroad. His portrait is given on 
page 877. 

Thomas M. JParmelee, third son of Thomas J. and Chloe A 
(Atwill) Parmelee, was born in Palmyra, Lenawee Co., Sept. 29, 
1M4. His parents were born in Rochester. N. Y., and of English 
descent, By occupation Thomas M. is a farmer. He was educated 
in the common school of Palmyra; came to Flint, Genesee Co., in 
1858; remained but a short time there, and removed to Maple 
Grove the following year, and bought 60 acres of tine land on sec. 
26. Mr. P. is one of the earliest settlers in Maple Grove and has 
done much for the improvement of the tp. He came here when 
the country was new and settled in the midst of a howling wilder- 
ness, and with the help of a very amiable and prudent wife he has 
now a tine farm, in a central location, under good cultivation, with 
fine buildings. He was married March 24, 1870, to Sarah M. 
Williams, daughter of William and Hannah A. Williams, who was 
born in Victory, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1849. Out of 4 children they 
still have 3, all born in Maple Grove — Emily I., July 4, 1871 , 
Phoebe A., April 28, 1873; George M., April 23, 1878;" Carrie A., 
April 3, 1874, and died Oct. 30, 1S76. Mr. P. is a Republican, and 
has filled numerous tp. offices, among which are those of School 
Inspector four years and Constable 1<> years. 

George Rolfe, farmer, sec. 33, was born at Great Milton. Oxford- 
shire, Eng., Aug. 6. 1831. His parents are Edmund and Sarah 
{ Clayton) Rolfe. Mr. Rolfe came to the United States in the 
spring of 1853, locating at Waterford, Oakland Co., Mich., and 
in 1855 in this tp. He took up 160 acres of land under the "gradu- 
ation act." He was one of the first settlers of the tp., and suffered 
many privations in clearing up his land, and making improve- 
ments. At one time he was a week in hauling 900 feet of lumber 
from Flushing to his home. Mr. Rolfe is a Democrat, and a 
member of the Church of England. He was married March 16, 
1863, to Martha, daughter of James V. and Nancy S. Judd. Of 
their 2 children, 1 is living — Lucy S., born Sept, 12, 1867. Mrs. 
Rolfe died March 30, 1875. He was again married, July 28, 1877, 



882 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

to Hattie H., daughter of Erastus K. and Maria Totham, who was 
born at Clay, Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 14, 1853. They have 1 
child— Ichabod, born April 23, 1878. 

George ShoUer, first son of Nicholas and Barbara (Oswald) Shol- 
ler, was born in Baden, Germany, June 3, 1833. He emigrated to 
Canada in 1852, and in 1859 to this tp., where he bought 60 acres of 
land. He had to cut a road five miles through the timber to 
his house, and for two years carried his provisions seven miles on 
his back. On Nov. 18, "l 862, he enlisted in Co. C, 7th Mich. Caw, 
under Capt. Darling. He was disabled at Meriden Hill, hy his 
horse throwing him, and was then transferred to the veteran corps, 
from which he was honorably discharged Nov. 13, 1865. He was 
married in Canada, April 25, 1855, to Elizabeth, daughter of 
Benjamin and Mary Barnhart, who was born July 23, 1838. They 
have 9 children, all natives of Maple Grove tp. — Mary A., born 
Jan. 13, 1860; Kebecca, born Aug. 12, 1866; Sarah, born Jan. 20, 
1868; Adeline, born Nov. 28, 1869; George, born Oct. 5, 1872; Isa- 
bella, born May 19, 1873; Laura, born Sept. 14, 1875; Clara E., 
bom Oct. 19, 1877, and Lucy M„ born Nov. 8, 1880. 

Orin L. Slade, second son of John P. and Esther (Trask) Slade, 
was born at Pennfield, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1819. He 
located in Montrose tp., Genesee Co., Mich., in 1855, where he 
purchased 110 acres of land, lying on the line between this and 
Genesee county. Mr. S. has worked at the carpenter's trade for 25 
years, but is chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits, now owning 
80 acres of excellent farm land. He was elected Justice of the 
Peace for Montrose tp. in 1857, and has filled that position almost 
every year since. He was married March !>. 1843, to Phoebe, 
daughter of Joseph and Polly Pettyes, who was born in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1814. Two children have been given them — 
Franklin W., born in Erie Co., Pa., April 21, 1845, died in Gen- 
esee Co., Mich., July 17, 1867; and Charles M., who was born near 
Buffalo, N. Y., May 17, 1848. The latter was married in Maple 
Grove tp., May 11, 1869. to Roxanna, daughter of Ephraim and 
Lenora Hoskins. They have 4 children, all born in Genesee Co., 
Mich.— Eva May, born May 17, 1872; Ephraim L., born Jan. 8, 
1874; Ernest M., born April 7, 1876; and Amy, born Feb. 10, 
1878. Mr. Slade and his father, Orin L., own 140 acres of land in 
Montrose tp., Genesee Co., and 80 acres in Maple Grove tp., Sagi- 
naw Co. Charles M. has been Constable three years and was 
Deputy Sheriff two years. He is a Republican and a Free Mason. 

Abram Smith, second son of David and Martha (Cable) Smith, 
was born at Worcester, Otsego Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1811. His 
father and mother were born atNorwalk, Conn., and are of English 
descent. Mr. S. learned the wagon-maker's trade, and worked at it 
for 20 years in Madison Co., N. Y. He was married at Madison, 
N. Y., to Sarah A. Blakestae, who was born at New York city in 
March, 1838. They have 4 children, all natives of Madison, N. Y. 
— Maria, Jared B., Elvira D. and Martha. He went to Saline, 



maple grove township. 8S3 

Washtenaw Co., Mich., in October, 1846, and remained there six 
years. He came to Maple Grove in 1857. He was one of the 
earliest settlers in the tp., and endured a great many hardships 
and privations during his early pioneer life. He now owns a 
fine residence and 80 acres of land, situated on the northwest quar- 
ter of sec. 30. On locating here, himself and son (then a small 
hoy nine years of age) cleared 45 acres. He had 2 sons in the 
army of the Rebellion, 1 of whom died in Sraithville Hospital 
Feb. 22, L864. His wife died in September, 1870, and he was mar- 
ried again the following year, to Julia Henderson. They have ^ 
child, born in Maple Grove tp., Nov. 30, 1872. 

II! ram Toser, who owns 40 acres of good farm land, was born in 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Feb. 10, 1827; parents were David and 
Annie (Trask) Tozer, theformer a native of Keene Co., N. H., of 
French descent, the latter of Welsh and English descent; subject 
of sketch was a blacksmith for 30 years; in 1855 located at Flush- 
ing. Genesee Co., Mich., and in 1859 in Maple Grove tp., where he 
bought a farm of 100 acres. On Jan. 1, 1864, he enlisted in Co. 
A, 14th Mich. Cav., under Capt. Gage, of Saginaw, and was 
wounded at Kenesaw Mountain by a shell; was discharged July 
18, 18(55; was married July 4, 1847, to Mrs. Rebecca Lonnen, 
a daughter of F. Orvin; 2 children given them — Hiram D., born 
in Chautauqua Co.,N. Y., Sept. 11, 1850, and Harve} r , born March 
27, 1854. 

Philander Tozt ,-. son of David and Annie (Trask) Tozer, was 
born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1833. His father was a native 
of New Hampshire, and his mother of Xew York; subject of 
sketeli was a shoe and harness-maker for six years, since which he 
has been a tanner: on Sept. 2. 1862, he enlisted in Co. ( '. 7th Mich. 
Cav., under Capt. F. H. Darling; was taken prisoner July <». 1863, 
ami paroled after one month: was twice wounded, once in the 
back of the neck, and was discharged Aug. 10, 1865; was married 
Sept. 2, 1862, to Sarah Ann. daughter of Thomas and Annie 
Hough, of Flushing. Genesee Co., Mich.; 3 children were given 
them — Annie, born in Maple Grove tp.. Sept. 17, 1867; John B., 
born Dec. 5, 1870; and Thomas, born April 27, 1*72; wife died 
and was again married Nov. L9, l s 7'">. to Adeline, daughter of 
Ros well and Calista Hoskins; of their 2 children. 1 is living, 
Grace A., who was born in Maple Grove tp., Oct. 17, 1 >• 7 7 . 

Josij>/i Vbith, the pioneer settler of Maple Grove tp., and the 
second Bon of Uridine and Walbuga (Nasz) Yoith. was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, March 10, 1832. He received only a limited 
education, and in L852 accompanied his parents to the United 
States, locating near Winchester. Ind. Mr. Yoith has always 
been a farmer with the exception of a few months engaged in cop- 
per mining at Eagle Harbor, in the Lake Superior region. His 
parents gave him $400, and he arrived in Maple Grove tp., Oct, 
22, 1864, with $300 in pocket. He purchased L60 acres of land 
at L8J cents per acre, <ii> acres of which, he has improved; and it 



884 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

is now valued at $4,000. He built a small log hut in the timber, 
and for 13 years lived alone, having never been married. He was 
the first permanent white settler in the tp., and was forced to cut 
a road six miles in length through the timber and swamps to get ac- 
cess to civilization. On Feb. 24, 1865, he enlisted in Co. D, 6th 
Peg. Mich. Heavy Artillery, under Capt. C. W. Stone. He was 
discharged at New Orleans, La., Aug. 20, 1865, and returned to 
his cabin in the timber in Maple Grove tp. His nephew, Frank 
Voith, has lived with him for several years past. He was born 
in Houghton Co., Mich., and is a son of John and Frederica 
(Fleger) Voith. He received his education in the common schools 
of Maple Grove tp. and Hazelton. He was reared on a farm, but 
has also learned the carpenter's trade and worked on railroad 
bridges. 

Mr. Joseph Yoith has improved three farms from the stump, 60 
acres on his own, 25 acres on George Henege's places, and 40 acres 
on Jacob Henege's place. Mr. Yoith is independent in politics, 
and believes in voting for the best men. He voted for Fremont 
and also for Lincoln, for President, but now rather favors the 
Democratic party. Mr. Voith has served his tp. in various offices, 
among which was Justice of the Peace, Constable, etc. Mr. Voith 
is a member of the Catholic Church; and helped to build the 
church edifice in Maple Grove, and when finished, bought and 
presented a fine church bell to the congregation. 

When Mr. Voith first came here there were a good many Indi- 
ans, while bears, deer, wolves and other game were very abund- 
ant, and game was about the only fresh meat he had. He killed 
10 bucks during the first year, but never killed a doe, although he 
had many opportunities. The mosquitoes were very numerous, 
and he describes them as heing so thick as to be like clouds. Mr. 
V. is a very quiet, industrious, strictly honest and neighborly 
man, possessing those qualities that are calculated to make friends 
with all classes. He speaks of the Indians as being honest in 
their dealings and not guilty of theft, as has been attributed to 
them. In an early day it was almost impossible to plant except 
on the knolls, water covering the ground until the first of June. 

John Wolfe, son of Jacob and Polly (Leatherman) Wolfe, was 
born in Amherst, Erie Co., N. Y., Sept. 5, 1828. His father was 
born at Northumberland, Pa., Jan. 17. 1803, and his mother at 
same place, Nov. 20, 1805, both of German descent. He received 
his education in his native place, and came to Bay City, Saginaw 
Co., Mich., in the spring of 1854. He was married at Lockport, 
Niagara Co., N. Y., June 29, lS'r2. to Mary, daughter of Joseph 
and Angeline Boquett, who was born in Canada, near Montreal. 
They have 7 children — Mortimer M., Jerome A., Henry J., Delia 
B., Marion C, Clarence and Ray IT. Mr. Wolfe came to Maple 
Grove tp. in April, 1868, and bought 80 acres of land on sec. 30. 
He sold that and afterward purchased 80 acres on the southeast 
quarter of sec. 29. In politics he is a Democrat, 



k 



MARION TOWNSHIP. 

This is the most recent addition to the commonwealth of the 
county. Like Chapin township, just south of it, it is a fractional 
township, and forms a Congressional township with the addition of 
12 sections of the Lands of Gratiot county. 

The population in Jane, 1880, was only80; this number increased 
during the subsequent year to l'2*K and then' is a prospect of an 
annual increase for years to come. The first settlement met with in 
the township going west fromSt. Charles, is the Kernahan. So far 
the roads were very fair in June, L881; but beyond that point the 
nominal highwayswere mere rivers of mud. The township is watered 
by the sources of Bad river, Great and Little Potato creeks and num- 
erous streamlets. The land is rich in all the constituents of soil, 
heavily timbered with hard wood, and wrapped, as it were, in a 
dense underwood. A new road is to be cut through to Chapin 
this year, and other improvements effected. 

Perhaps there is no more extended records spread on the books 
of the county than that which points out the organization of 
Marion township. During the session of the board, Jan. 14, 1880, 
the application From the people of the western portion of Brant, 
was read, and referred to the committee on township organization. 
This committee reported as follows: 

Gentlemen — Your committee, to whom was referred the application of Daniel 
Paul and 15 freeholders of the township of Brant, praying that fractional town 10 
north, of range one cast, he detached from the town of Brant, and that said town 
north, of range oiie east, lie erected into a township to be known as the township 
of Marion — after due consideration would report in favor of granting the prayer 
of the applicants, and recommended the adoption of the following preamble and 
resolution, to wit : 

Whereas, It satisfactorily appeal's by affidavit thereto attached, that notice of 
such application has been posted up in five of the most public places in said 
township of Brant for four weeks next preceding .'aid application, and that the 
same has been duly published in tic- Business, a newspaper published in 
said county, for the period of four week- immediately preceding the present ses- 
sion <>f the Board of Supervisors of the county of Saginaw, as required by law: 
now therefore lie it 

Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of the county of Saginaw, that town 
10 north, of range one east, be. and is hereby erected in a township to 1 e called 
and known by the name of Marion. 

Resolved, Thai the t i r -<t township meeting, of said township of Marion, shall be 
holder] on the firsl Monday of April, 1880, at the house ofLoren A. Paul, and that 
Daniel Paul, Daniel Welsh ami Malcolm Mclnnis, be, and they are hereby 
appointed inspectors of said township meeting; w hose duty it shall be to preside at 
BUCh nice! ini:, appoint a clerk, open ami keep the polls, and exercise thesame powers 
as the inspectors of election- at any township meeting. That Daniel Paul be, and 
is hereby appointed to posl up three notices, according to law, of the time and 
place of holding the firsl township meeting in said new township of Marion; 
that Daniel Paul post notices of registration, required by law, in three conspicu- 
ous places in said new township of Marion, and that the said Daniel Paul. Daniel 
Welsh and Malcolm Mclnnis be, and they are hereby appointed the Board of 

(885) 



886 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Registration, and are required to take the constitutional oath before entering 
upon the duties of Board ot Registration, and upon the election of the officers of 
said township; the said oath so taken shall be filed with the Township Clerk 
of Marion. 

This report was unanimously adopted. 

THE FIRST TOWNSHIP MEETING 

was held April 5, 1880, at the house of Daniel Paul, section 
1, with Daniel Paul, Moderator; Thomas Kernohan, Clerk, and 
Donald Welsh and Finlay Mclnnis, Inspectors of election. 

The following officers were elected : Daniel Paul, Supervisor; 
Thomas Kernohan, Clerk; Finlay Mclnnis, Treasurer; Win. 
Crittes, Win. Irwin, and Donald Welsh, Justices of Peace; John 
B. Stewart, Road Commissioner; Isaac Hodson, Drain Commis- 
sioner; Cyrus Fauble, School Superintendent; John B. Stewart, 
School Inspector; Van Patten, Albert Northrop, Lorin Paul, Con- 
stables. 

The second annual meeting was held at the house of William 
Crittes, April 3, 1881; Mr. Paul presided. Thomas Kernohan 
was Clerk, and Henry Tolgate and Wm, Crittes were Inspectors of 
election. Daniel Paul was elected Supervisor; Henry Tolgate, 
Clerk; Thomas Kernohan, Treasurer; Dr. Gray, Justice of Peace; 
Gilbert Rhodes, Drain Commissioner; Van Patten, Road Com- 
missioner; William Crittes, School Superintendent; Charles Rector, 
Inspector; Rufus Himbley and Lorin A. Paul, Constables. 

There is only one school-house in the township. The school is 
taught by Miss Jenny Fauble. This school was started Nov. 22, 
1880, in a log lumber shanty on the southeast quarter of section 
26. The people purpose erecting a large frame building for school 
purposes on the northeast quarter of section 35. The children 
attending school at the beginning of 1881 were: Molly Fauble, John 
Fauble, Minnie Fauble, Edith and James Stewart, George, John, 
and Arthur Crittes, Frederick Kernohan, Mary, Charles, Eva and 
Bertie Irwin, Cora Hoclson, Joseph and Ira Osborne, Miss Rector, 
Rolland Schneider, and Martha Snyder. The total number en- 
rolled was 26. 

The principal manufacturing industry was projected in 1879, by 
John B. Stewart, as a steam saw-mill. The concern is now operated 
by Messrs. Barnum and Whitmore. It is located on section 21. 
There is also a portable saw-mill operated by Daniel Paul. 

There are no churches, nor is there an immediate prospect of 
erecting a building specially for worship; the new school-house will 
probably be utilized as a house of worship. 

The settlers of Marion, still perpetuate in a great measure the 
manners and customs of pioneer days. Their motto is evidently, 
" Each for each, and all for all." They live in an atmosphere of 
contentment and happiness, leading the thinker to conclude that 
these enviable boons are conferred only on the white men of the 
wilderness, the builders of the public good. 



RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 

This district of the county gives promise of equaling in its physi- 
cal and social characteristics many of the older settled townships. 
The population in 1880 was estimated at 700, but within the year 
which has since elapsed this number has met with many additions. 
Large clearances have been made, new homes erected, and the 
period of its greatest advancement entered upon. June 7, 1881, 
was the steam saw-mill of Smith & McMann's started at "Hem- 
lock City." It is the intention of the proprietors to add flonring- 
mill machinery at an early date. These, with kindred industries, 
which may spring up in the near future, will add to the prosperity 
of the township, and tend to hasten its development. The village 
known as Hemlock City is located in the western center of section 
28. At present there are a postoffice, two stores, a commodious 
hotel, a steam saw-mill, and 25 dwelling-houses in the 
village. With the development of its agricultural resources Hem- 
lock City will grow in importance, and perhaps form one of the 
leading municipalities in the county. 

The township of Richland was organized under authority given 
by the Board of Supervisors Jan. 8, 1862. At that period it em- 
braced the following territory: Town 12 north, of range 1 east, and 
town 12 north, of range 2 east. The order was "that this territory is 
hereby erected into a township to be called and known by the name 
of the township of Richland; the first annual township meeting 
thereof shall beheld at the school-house in district number 5, in 
section 22, town 12 north, of range 2 east, on the first Monday in 
April, 1802; and at said meeting Thomas A. Porter, Lemuel Cone 
and William McBratnie, three electors of said township, shall be 
the persons whose duty it shall be to preside at such meeting." 

The first township election was held April 7, 1862, in the school- 
house of district number 5, section 22. T. A. Porter, L. Cone and 
Wni; McBratnie were Inspectors of election. The last-named was 
Moderator; James .V. Wiltsie, Clerk, and Frederick Field, Con- 
stable. William McBratnie was elected Supervisor; T. A. Porter, 
Clerk; Geo. Brown, Treasurer; D. L. Cole and Frederick Field, 
Justices of the Peace. The Treasurer elect failed to file his county 
bond within the allotted time, when Andrew McBratnie was ap- 
pointed to that position. The total amount of taxes for 18*52 was 
$1,409.60, and of expenditures $1,399.80. The list of township 
officers from organization to the present time is as follows: 

(887) 



sss 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



SUPERVISORS. 



Wm. McBratnie 1862-'3 

Thomas A. Porter 1864 

E. C.Curtis 1864 

H. D. Smith 1865 

T. A . Porter 1866'9 

Joseph Porter 1870 

Joseph Lewis 1871 



Henry D. Smith 1872 

T. A. Porter 1873 

John McMullen 1874 

Joseph Porter 187o-'6 

Geo. W. Carson 1877'8 

J. B. Johnson 1879 

Geo. W. Carson 18K0 



CLERKS. 



T.A.Porter 1862 

John McMullen 1863-D 

Jacob King 1870 -T 

James Henry Ib72 



J. D. Brown 1873 

Jedd Bennett 1874-'6 

Wm. McBratnie 1877-'9 

L. Rienehart 1880 



TREASURERS. 



George Brown 1862 

Fred. Fitting 1863-'6 

Andrew McBratnie 1867 

H. D. Smith 1868'9 

Edmund A. Reeve 1870-T 



A. C. Fitting 1872-'3 

V> infield S. Cone 1874 

Aug. C . Fitting 1875 

James Henry 1876-'7 

Levi G. Whitney 1878'80 



JUSTICES OF THE PKACE. 



D. L. Cole, Fred. Field 1862 

E. C. Curtis, Gilbert Smith 1863 

Mahlon M. Bounting, D. S. Cole. .1864 

Andrew McBratnie" 1866 

Gilbert Smith 1867 

James M. Frost, David Slratton, J. 

B. Johnson 1868 

Patrick O'Connor 1870 

D. S. Cole, A. T. Cooper 1871 



Jacob King 1872 

Patrick O'Connor 1873 

James Henry, T. A. Porter 1874 

Patrick O'Connor 1875 

Jacob King, H. L. Johnson 1876 

Walter D. Pettit 1877 

August. C. Fitting, Civilian Phelps, 

Argalus T. Cooper 1878 

August C. Fitting 1880 



The present officers are Geo. W. Carson, Supervisor; Joseph H. 
Whitney, Clerk; Jedd Bennett, Treasurer; Winfield S. Cone, 
Highway Commissioner; A. L.Carver, School Superintendent; Jas. 
B.Johnson, School Inspector; Walter D. Pettit, Henry Beamish, 
Alonzo T. Hodges, Justices of the Peace; G. W. Pettit and Isaac 
Williams, Constables. 



SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 



There are one fractional and six full school districts in the town- 
ship, each in possession of a frame school-building. The school 
census gives 252 children, 164 of whom attended school during the 
year 1880. The school property is valued at $3,300. The num- 
ber of teachers employed is nine. The expenditure for 1880 was 
$1,569.38. 

The people generally profess ( <hristianity. However varied in 
form these professions may be, all have studied to live together in 
peace and banish from their midst the demon of bigotry. . The 
German Lutherans possess one church building — the only duly 



RICHLAND TOWN8HIP. S89 

dedicated house of worship in the township. The land upon which 
the church stands was presented t<> the Lutheran Society by Fred- 
erick Fitting. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

In the following personal sketches, the principal settlers of this 
section of the county are noticed: 

Henry Bemish, was born at Rochester, N. Y., in 1880; is a son 
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Conklin) Bemish; natives of Ireland, 
who came to Rochester about L819, and went into the grocery 
business, which they continued for several years. His mother 
died there in 1834, and his father came to Michigan in 1838 and 
settled where East Saginaw now stands. He died at Pine Run and 
was buried there. The subject of this sketch came to Michigan in 
1838 and settled at Saginaw, with his father, and remained there 
several years, and made occasional trips back to New York. In 
1855 he settled in Thomastown, and there followed farming and 
lumbering, being 13 years with one firm. He came to Richland 
in 187 s and boughtthe hotel which he now occupies. He was married 
in Saginaw City, Nov. 27, 1853, to Delia Irish, a native of Oak- 
land county. They had 5 children in all, 4 of whom are living — 
Norman T , who married Nellie E. Lewis, and resides at Hemlock: 
Wm. F.. Henry. Edward (deceased) and Edwin. While in 
Thomastown he was Commissioner five years, Justice of the Peace 
two years. Road-master about seven years, and since being in 
Richland was Commissioner and Constable three years, which 
office beholds at the present time. Mr. Bemish is an old settler 
and prominent man, keeping the only hotel in Hemlock City, 
situated on the business street, and forms a prominent feature of 
the city. 

Geo. W. Carson was born in Ohio in 1826, a son of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (Willoughby) Carson, of Irish and Welsh descent. They 
both died in Seneca Co , Ohio. Mr. Carson was brought up 
there and received his education. While living there he followed 
farming and also worked at his trade of carpenter and joiner eight 
years: was also a dealer in stock for five years. Arriving in Mich- 
igan. Jan. 17. 1866, he settled in Saginaw county, tp. of Brady, 
and bought a farm of 160 acres, but now consisting of 80 acres. 
He also owns village property at Chesaning. He was first married 
Feb. •".. L852, in Ohio to Martha ( '. Moore, a native of that State, 
who died May )'.. 1873, in Brady tp. She left 4 children — lohn 
F., Rosa E., who married Eegrand Sanderson, residing in this tp. ; 
Oeo. 15. and Martha. He was married again, November, L8t5, 
at Chesaning, to Mrs. Catharine A. Crane, a native of Canada. 
They have 1 child — Effte. Mr. (arson was Supervisor in Brady 
two years, and lour years in this tp. During the war he enlisted 
in Co. ( '. 1 4th Ohio Regiment, Home Guards, and was stationed 
at Washington Heights, and at Johnson Island: served in all about 



890 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



L20 days. He lias been an active member of the Free-Will Bap- 
tist Church 20 years, and is preaching at present at Hemlock City. 
During his life he has been Republican in his political views. 

Lemuel Cone is a native of Vermont, \\ here he was born in 1800. 
His father and mother, Lemuel and Dolly (Parker) Cone, are 
natives of Scotland and came to America the year before the Revo- 
lution, and died in New York State. During the war of 1812 he 
enlisted, at the age of 13 years, and served till the close of the 
war. He was also in the Black Hawk war in 1832, and served till 
its close. Being wounded there, he has carried a ball in his body 
ever since. After the war he went to Ohio and was farming there 
for 15 to 20 years, when he came to Michigan and first settled in 
Monroe county, and then in Shiawassee county, after which he 
came to Saginaw county and settled in what was then called Sag- 
inaw tp., but afterward had the honor of naming it Rich- 
land tp. In 1854 he bought 160 acres of land of the Gov- 
ernment, but did not settle till 1857, when, with his brother, Mar- 
tin Cone, who also took 160 acres, he began the first clearing in 
that tp. 

Mr. Cone was married four times. His first wife was Elizabeth 
Tyler, a native of Ohio, by whom he had 1 children, only 1 of 
whom is living — Malinda, who married Bamett Putnam, a resident 
of Shiawassee county. His second marriage was to Sarah Rice. 
Five children were born of this marriage, but only 2 are living — 
William, the oldest, who married Rebecca Cole; and Winfield, 
who resides in the place. Since he has been in the tp. he has 
most of the time held some office, one of the positions being that 
of Highway Commissioner. Mr. Cone has done well by each of 
his children, giving them a good start in life. During the Mex- 
ican war, where he served three years, he was a Lieutenant, and 
at one time had charge of a company. He was in the battle of 
Mexico under Generals Scott and Taylor. 

George Dwngey was born in England, March 5, 1820, a son 
of George and Maria (Kerwin) Dungey. His father died there 
in 1861, and his mother in Upper Canada in 1872. He 
was brought up in England and lived there until he was 19 
years of age, when he went to Canada, where he remained about 



*J.> years, engagec 



in farming. 



In 1869 he came to Michigan 



and settled at Hemlock City, and was there six years, working 
in a saw-mill and on plank roads. In 1875 he bought his present 
farm, consisting of 80 acres, with 50 improved. On April 7, 1851, 
he was married in Canada to Mary Glewa, a native of Quebec, 
and they have ' 9 children— James, Hannah, William, Maria, 
George,' Walter, Mary J., Jemima and Freeman. Hannah is the 
wife of Eli Wells, of Vestaburg, Mich., and Maria is the wife 
of Emmet Parks, of this county. 

Friedrich Fifing was born in Germany in 1819. His father and 
mother, Christian and Louisa (Drahger) Fiting, died there. He 
whs brought up and received his education in the father-land. 
Learning the trade of wagon-maker, he worked at it 20 years. 



RI( BLAND TOWNSHIP. 891 

when, iii 1856, In- came with his family to America and landed 
in New York city, and from there lie went to Buffalo, where 

be remained two nths; then he came to Saginaw Co., Mich., 

and located inThomastown for three years. While there he bought 
his present farm before moving upon it, then consisting of 240 
acres. Mr. Fiting was one of trie oldest settlers here, and made 
all the improvements himself, together with his sons. Jn L842 
he was married to Regine Zafel, and they have 3 children — Wil- 
helmina, who married Fritz Simon, a resident of Saginaw City: 
August ( '. and ('has. II. The 2 latter sons are living on the 
place, together with their families. August 0. married Christine 
Kastorf, a native of Germany, and there are 4 children in his 
family — Anna, Louisa, Fritz and Lydia, all being at home. 
Charles was married to Antonie Bunterbart, a resident of this 
tp. They have 2 children. John and Charles, also living at 
home. They are a prominent family of the tp. The old gentleman 
was Treasurer for six years and School Assessor 20 years. August 
has been Justice of the Peace three years, and is now elected for 
another term; also was Treasurer and School Director — the former 
four years and the latter 12 years. Charles, the youngest son, is 
now holding the office of Moderator. One remarkable fact is that 
the entire family live and act as one, all owning land together, and 
have now increased it to 500 acres, 200 of which is improved. 
August has a residence directly across from the homestead, and 
with his family is working for home interest. They were the 
principal operators in the erection of a German church, which is 
located in sec. 14, near at hand, the only one west of Saginaw in this 
county. 

O. B. Hale, M. D., is a native of Mansfield, Ohio, where he 
was born in 1840. His parents are A. B. and Eliza (Conklin) 
Hale, natives of Livingston Co., N. Y. They came to Ohio in 1831, 
and settled at Mansfield. Mr. Hale resided there until 1854, then 
went to Cuyahoga Co., where he received his education at Berea, 
graduating there. His medical education he received in Cincin- 
nati, at the Eclectic Medical College, where he graduated with 
honors, beginning his regular practice at Cincinnati in 1864. From 
there he went to Dayton, where he practiced five years. Mr. Hale 
has traveled a great deal over different parts of the country, practic- 
ing his profession part of the time, visiting Mitz, Indiana, Otsego, 
Fremont, Ohio, and finally coming to Lenawee county, this State, 
and then to Saginaw county. During his stay here he served three 
years as a Methodist minister; has also served as a minister at dif- 
ferent places in connection with his practice. He settled at Hem- 
lock City in August, L880, and has a large practice. He was mar- 
ried in 1863, in Huron Co., Ohio, to Jennie Yenable. a native of 
New York State, who died Feb. 2, 1881, and was buried at Hem- 
lock. She leaves 4 children — Alton B., John P., Ord and Lena. 
During the war Mr. Hale enlisted at Norwalk, Ohio, where he 
raised a company and received a Captain's commission from Gov. 



892 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Todd, of Ohio; was at the close of the battle of Shiloh; at the bat- 
tle of Cheat Mountain and the siege of Corinth. 

Joseph B. Johnson was born in Lockport, Niagara Co. N. Y.,in 
1836. He is a son of Albert G. and Lucy T. (Nelson) Johnson. 
His father is now living in Niagara county, and his mother died 
in 1845 at that place. He received his education there, following 
fanning till he was 23 years of age. Leaving New York in April, 
1850, he located in East Saginaw, where he remained about three 
years, following the carpenter and joiner's occupation, also run- 
ning engines in various saw-mills. In 1861 he began boring for 
salt wells, which he followed at different times for a number of 
years. At Bloomington, III., he put down a coal well in 1863, 
and in 1865 put down oil wells in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and in 
1870 an artesian well at Chicago. His present place he bought in 
1860, but did not move upon it till the fall of 1863. He built his 
house himself. His farm contains 140 acres. He was married at 
South Bay City in 1862 to Lucinda A. Bennett, of Cattaraugus Co., 
N. Y. They have 2 children living — Orson B. and Arthur D. 
Mr. Johnson at present holds the office of School Inspector, Di- 
rector and Overseer of Highways; was also Justice of the Peace 
eight years. 

Daniel Kennelly was born in Ireland in 1826. His father and 
mother were Jeremiah Kennelly and Julia, nee Hickey. They left 
Ireland in June, 1847, and settled in Canada, where they remained 
16 years, following farming. They then came to Michigan in 
1865, and remained at East Saginaw one year, when they went to 
Swan Creek, and bought each of their 3 children 80 acres of land. 
His mother died in Canada, and his father at Swan Creek. They 
had 10 children, 8 of whom are living — Daniel, Timothy, Dennis, 
Johanna, Mary, James, Jeremiah and Julia. Daniel, the subject of 
this sketch, was married in Canada, February, 1854, to Eliza 
O'Brien, a native of Ireland. They have 8 children living — Julia, 
Catharina, Timothy, Jeremiah, Johanna, Sarah, Dennis and Mary. 
Julia was married to Alleck McLavish a resident of Saginaw 
City, and Catharina to William O. Grady, residing in Thomastown. 
Mr. Kennelly has held the office of School Moderator for the last 
three terms. 

Joseph Lewis was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1826; son of 
Oliver Lewis and Lucy Avery, natives of Vermont. His father 
died Feb. 17, 1861, in Newfane, Niagara Co., and his mother died 
in June, 1862, at the same place. Receiving his education there, 
where he was brought up, he engaged in farming till he was 41 
years old, when, in 1867, he came to Michigan, and located in Rich- 
land tp.,this county, where, buying his present farm, he has resided 
ever since. At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in the 12th 
Independent Battery, at Lockport, Niagara Co., November, 1861, 
serving three years and a half, till the close of the war. He was 
in the battle of the Wilderness, siege of Petersburg, and smaller 
engagements. In October, 1849, he was married to Julia A. 



RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 893 

Brown, before coming to Michigan, and they have 2 children liv- 
ing — Nettie E., who married Norman Bemish,a resident of Hem- 
lock City, and Carrie A., residing at home. Mr. Lewis has been a 
member of the M. E. Church 32 years, and is one of the most sub- 
stantial citizens of the tp. 

Peter Lunney was born in Halton Co., Canada, in 1852, a son of 
Hough Lunney and Ann, nee Noble. At 17 years of age, he moved 
to Saginaw county, and settled at Hemlock City. His mother is 
now living at Vestaburg, Montcalm Co., where she owns a house 
and lot. He was in the employ of Henry & Co., manufacturing 
shingles, for eight years. Then he moved to his present place, con- 
taining SO acres of land, 30 improved. Mr. Lunney was mar- 
ried in 1874, at Hemlock City, to Emma J. Perkins, a resident of 
this tp. They have 3 children — Nelly, James and Gertie. For 
one year Mr. Lunney was Tp. Treasurer. He is at present 
School Director, which office he has held three years. Has also 
been a school-teacher for two terms in this district, and he is one 
of the prominent men in Richland tp. His farm is situated in 
one of the most desirable parts of the tp., which now presents a 
fine appearance. 

Wm. McBratnie is a native of Scotland, where he was born in 
1834; is a son of John McBratnie and Ann Christison, natives also 
of Scotland. Mr. McBratnie came to America in 1851, and located 
in Saginaw Co., at Thomastown. In 1859 he came to Richland and 
remained five years, and then was in Thomastown again nine years, 
and then resided in Saginaw City nearly two years. While there, he 
was sick a great deal of the time. In 1874 he came to Hemlock 
City, and opened his present business on the main street, and has 
a full line of dry-goods, groceries, etc., in fact, a general store; and 
by industry and strict attention to business he has gained for him- 
self the trade of the surrounding country. His sto/e, having the 
postoffice of Hemlock City, makes it very convenient for all. Since 
Mr. McBratnie began in business, it has been steady, and increasing 
yearly. In 1877 he received the appointment from the Govern- 
ment as Postmaster, which office lie retains at the present time. 
He was the first Supervisor in the tp. in 1862-'3; was also Treasurer 
of Thomastown three years, Supervisor four years at different times, 
and Clerk two years, being at present Notary Public of this tp., and 
has been for the past four years; also Justice of the Peace and School 
Director. 

He was married in May, 1862, to Armanda M. Cone, daughter 
of Lemuel Cone, this marriage being the first in the tp. Mrs. 
McBratnie also taught the first school in the tp. They have no 
children of their own, but have 2 which they have adopted, Lemuel 
Parker and Bessie Moulton. He was connected with the Agricult- 
ural Society of Saginaw Co., being in 1874 elected Secretary, which 
office beheld three years; he also acted on the Executive Committee 
for 10 years, and was appointed Chairman of the first meeting of 
the societv held at East Saginaw. 



894 HISTOEY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Civilian Phelps was born in New York in 1834, a son of David 
and Hero (Emerson) Phelps. His father is now living in Jefferson 
Co., N. Y., and his mother died there some years ago. Mr. Phelps 
was brought up and received his education there; he spent his 
early daj 7 s on a farm, which occupation he followed, together with 
teaching school. After the war broke out, in 1862, he enlisted at 
Watertown, in Co. A, 10th N. Y. Artillery, and served three 
years. He was in the battle of Petersburg, and stationed in Vir- 
ginia and Maryland. In 1865 lie was united in marriage in Ver- 
mont, with Miss Martha S. White, a native of that State, and they 
have 1 child living, Edward C. He came to Michigan in 1873, 
and located in Richland tp., on sec. 10, where he owns a fine farm 
of 80 acres, 35 of which are improved. On their coming here the 
entire family was taken down with small-pox, which took away 1 
child. Ida May, who is buried in the place. The house, clothing 
and furniture had to be burned to satisfy the authorities, leaving 
them with scarcely anything; but by hard labor and perseverance 
they made the little home in which they are now living. A fine 
orchard and vineyard are on the place, which they have under cul- 
tivation. Mr. Phelps has been Superintendent of the Schools for 
three years, and is now serving his third term as Justice of Peace. 
His father is 85 years of age, and was in the war of 1812, and 
fought at Sackett's Harbor, for which he draws a pension. He 
still continues to labor on the farm. 

Ben Smith was born in Greene Co., N. Y. in 1836; is a son of 
Harinan Smith and Leva, r^eTuttle, natives of N. Y. Bsn resided 
in Ohio 16 years, 27 years in Fond dn Lac Co., Wis. Mr. Smith 
has traveled through a great many States, and at the age of 16 
years was sailing on the lakes. When the war broke out he en- 
listed at Detroit in Co. H, 1st Mich. Cav., in which he served 
three years and was discharged. He immediately re-enlisted atPon- 
tiac, and served about 11 months. He was in the battles of 
the Wilderness, second Bull Run, Harper's Ferry and Winchester, 
under Gen. Sheridan, also other engagements of a lighter nature. 
Mr. Smith was married Feb. 12, 1871, to Lydia E. Campbell, and 
had 1 child, Rosa; his wife died Dec. 7, 1874. He married again 
April 28, 1875, Mrs. Margaret Thompson, a native of New York. 
They have 1 child of their own, Leva M., named after Mr. 
Smith's mother. He has been in Richland tp. since 1870, and has 
been Drain Commissioner 10 years; also member of the School 
Board. The farm which he occupies contains 40 acres, well 
improved. 

Henry D. Smith was born in New York in 1827. He is a son 
of Levi and Sally (Higgins) Smith, natives of that State. They 
died in Wyoming county. Mr. Smith was brought up on a farm, 
and followed the occupation of a farmer part of the time. He is 
a carpenter and joiner by trade and worked at it in connection with 
a saw-mill, which he ran for 12 years. He came to Saginaw in 
1862, where he remained but a short time, when he bought a farm 



RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 895 

jusl cast of Hemlock City, which he worked for L2 years. Finally 
he bought his present farm west^of Hemlock, where lie now resides". 
Since he has been in the county he has worked at his trade at 
different times to a good advantage. On Nov. 7, 1845, in Wyo- 
ming county, he was married to Mercy .1. Dunbar, who died there 
in L854, leaving 2 children — Eugene and Rudell. He was married 
again in February, L856, to Mary Frimer, and to them 5 children 
were born— Orelia, Augustus, Minerva, Elmer and Elsie. Mrs. 
Smith died in 1S73, and again the family was left without a wife 
and mother. Being a prominent man in Richland tp. Mr. Smith 
has been its Supervisor for three years, Treasurer two years and 
EEighwayCommissioner two years. 

PatrickWelchw&B'borD.m Oneida Co., NT. Y.,in 1843, asonofPat- 
rickand Margaret (Mulroy) Welch, both natives of Ireland. They 
settled in Xew York in 1840 ; there they remained three years, and 
then went to Canada ; were there till 1872, when they came to Sag- 
inaw county and settled in Richland tp., where they own 80 acres ot 
land. They were married in Ireland in 1839, and now have 7 
children — James, Patrick, Bridget, Margaret, Maria, John and 
Thomas. Patrick, the subject of this sketch, was married at Sag- 
inaw City in May, 1872, to Margaret Burns, a native of Canada. 
They have 4 children — John, Elizabeth, Francis and Margaret, all 
residing at home. Mr. Welch owns 80 acres in his farm, and is 
a leading citizen of the tp. At one time he held the Commissioner's 
office for one year. 



54 



SPALDING TOWNSHIP. 



This division of the county was organized by order of the Board 
of Supervisors Dec. 30, 1858, and the first meeting held April 5, 
1859. The following described territory formed the township: 

Section 36, and the east part of section 36 in town 12 north, of 
range 4 east; the east part of section 2; the east part of section 10; 
east part of section 9; east part of section 8; east part of section 17, 
iyingeastward of the Shiawassee river; the south part of section 18; 
all that part of section 19 lying east of the Flint river; all that part 
of sections 30 and 31 lying east of said Flint river; all that part of sec- 
tions 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 lying north of said Flint river; entire sec- 
tions 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, 
being in town 11 north, of range 4 east; also east part of sections 
13 and 24, lying east of the forks of Shiawassee and Flint rivers in 
town 11 north, of range 3 east. 

The first meeting was held at the school building near A. L. 
Griffith's dwelling house, the first Monday of April, 1859, with 
Aaron K. Penny, Phineas Spalding and Jesse H. Quackenbush, 
Inspectors of Election. The officers chosen at this meeting were: 
Jesse H. Quackenbush, Supervisor; Aaron K. Penny, Clerk; Hor- 
ace Hubbard, Treasurer; H. B. Hubbard, Win. Need ham and 
Phineas Spalding, Justices of the Peace. 

The following roll of township officials since organization if taken 
from the town records: 

SUPERVISORS. 



J. H. Quackenbush 1859-62 

John Barter 1863 

Myndert W. Quackenbush. . . .1864-5 

Milton B. DeLand 1866 

Perry Carter 1867-9 

Milton B. DeLand 1870 



John Barter 1871 

Jesse H. Quackenbush 1872 

John Barter 1873-9 

Joseph Armstrong 1880 

John Barter 1881 



CLERKS. 



Aaron K. Penny 1859 

Charles F. Leasia 1860 

Jesse H. Quackenbush 1861 

Aaron Linton . . ■ 1862 

Luther E. Allen 1863 

Philip V. M. Botsford 1864-6 

Thomas Champlin 1867 

Robert 'G. Hoper 1868 



Robert G . Stoper 1869 

Herman Blankerts 1870 

Ooriver I. Davison 1871-2 

Dallas M. Pendelton 1873-4 

John Loomis 1875-7 

Perry Carter 1878-9 

JohnF. Hill 1880 

George W. Wright 1881 



TREASURERS. 



Horace Hubbard 1859-62 

Thomas Needham 1863-4 

Perry Carter 1865-6 

Charles Moeller 1867 

A. Grohmann 1869-70 



Herman Blankerts 1871 

Patrick A. O'Donnell 1872 

Charles L. Lull 1873-4 

Dallas M. Pendelton 1875-9 

Sebastian Koerner 1880-1 



(896) 



SPALDING TOWNSHIP. 



897 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Horace B. Hubbard 1859- 

William Needham 1859- 

Phineas Spalding 1859- 

Benjamin Shattuck 1860- 

Johu Barter 1861 

Aaron Linton 1861- 

Jacob Baldwin (to till vacancy). 1862 

Castle Southerland 1 863- 

Dugal Mclntyre 1863- 

1 tagalJMcIntyre (to till vacancy) 1864 

Charles P. Leasia ..1865- 

Daniel D. Barney 1865 

Levi ( lark 1866- 

Anthony Gi ohmann 867 

Mynderl W. Quackenbush (to 

nil vacancy) 1867 

Dugal Mclntyre 1868- 

Wallace Carter 1869- 

Jamea B.Terry (to rill vacancy). 1869 
Henry II. Bradley (to rill va- 
cancy) 1869 



Henry M. Youmans 1870-3 

H. H. Bradley (to fill vacancy).. 1870 

Steven B. Allen 1871-4 

Joseph Broghten 1871-2 

Dugal Mclntyre 1873-5 

Dennis Redmond 1872-4 

Charles L. Lull 1873-6 

Sebastian Koerner 1873-9 

Valentine Simon (to till va- 
cancy) 1874-7 

John Loomis 1874 

John Barter 1875-8 

John Musiner (to fill vacancy).. 1875 

J. E. Packard ..1876-9 

George Dallas 1877-80 

George Wright 1878-81 

J. W. Messner (to fill vacancy). 1879-82 

Samuel J. Deiter '....1880-3 

Francis J. Cole 1881-4 

S.J. Deiter (to fill vacancv) 1881 



THE SCHOOLS. 

The western sections of the township are unorganized. The dis- 
tricts are known as No. 2 and No. 3, the latter comprising the 11 
southern sections with the south half of sections 21, 22, and 23. 
District No. 2 comprises the northern half of these and section 25, 
all sections 24, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 10, with portions of 9 and 11. 
George Wright is director of No. 2, and Francis J. Cole of No. 3 
district. No. 2 has 46 children of school age; one school-house, 
frame, which with ground is valued at $750; one teacher; total 
iv-<>urces for the year. $423; and total expenditures, $414. No. 
3 has 62 children of school age; one school-house, a frame, worth 
$T00; one teacher; resources for the year. §449, and expenditures 
the same. 

kesourci ss. 

The population of the township, as shown in the census returns 
of 1880, is 413. That its agricultural and mineral resources will be 
fully developed within a short period, is to be reasonably supposed. 
Of the 15,S60 acres of land in the township there is comparatively 
little under cultivation. With the increase of cultivated lands, 
the population will increase and reach the full number which the 
land is capable of sustaining. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



The remaining portion of the history of Spalding township 
consists of personal sketches of several of its most prominint citi- 
zens, which we here give: 

Joseph Armstrong, farmer, sec. 24, was born near Dublin, Ire- 
land, Sept. 11. 1829; parents, Robert and Julia Armstrong; settled 



898 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

at London, Canada, in June, 1832, where the father died in August, 
18 — , and the mother 20 years later; subject went to St. Clair Co., 
Mich., in 1812, and engaged in lumbering; was in the employ of 
N. Holland & Co., of Buffalo, N. . Y. (formerly known as Sears 
& Holland, East Saginaw), for 19 years, and represented the 5th 
ward of East Saginaw in the Common Council in 1861; enlisted in 
Co. Iv, 2d Mich. Cav., and was an uncommissioned officer for some 
time; was discharged Sept. 2, 1861; settled on present farm of 
80 acres, in April, 1ST9; is a Royal Arch Mason and a Republican; 
was married Feb. 4, 1852, to Eliza J. Belknap; they have 3 chil- 
dren — Fanny, wife of Watson Boyden, born Feb. 28, 1853; Eve- 
line, wife of Frank W. Wheeler, born Sept. 28, 1855, and Byron, 
born Oct. 28, 1857; subject and wife are faithful members of the 
M. E. Church. 

John Barter, a prominent pioneer of Saginaw county, was born 
in Somersetshire, Eng., Aug. 22, 1825. His parents, James and 
Leah (Edgar) Barter, came to Montreal, Canada, when he was 
three years old, where his father was engaged in mercantile trade 
for three years. He then removed to London, Ontario, and pur- 
sued farming until his death, which occurred Oct. 20, 1865. 
Mrs. Barter died at Montreal, Sept. 24, 1834. Mr. Barter came to 
Saginaw City in 1850, and followed his trade of millwright until 
1858, when he removed to his present farm. He is a Republican; 
has been Justice of the Peace 12 years, Drain Commissioner six 
years, and Supervisor 14 years, serving his 8th year as Chair- 
man of that body. On July 30, 1879, he was appointed agent of the 
State Board of Charities, by Gov. John J. Bagley. Mr. Barter was 
married Jan. 1, 1854, to Mary Spalding, the first white child 
born in Spalding tp.— date, .rune 15, 1837. Her parents were 
Phineas and Belinda Spalding, natives of New Hampshire: father 
born Aug. 25, 1804; mother, "May 31, 1811, Windsor, Yt. They 
were married Dec. 29, 1834, and settled in Spalding tp. immedi- 
ately after. Their home was a log structure, 18 feet square, on 
the Detroit and Saginaw Indian trail, and is still standing. The 
tp. was named after Mr. Spalding, who departed this life, after a 
long siege of pioneer labors, Aug. 20, 1878. Mrs. Spalding 
resides with her daughter. 

When Mr. and Mrs. Spalding first came here they received their 
supplies from Detroit by a little schooner once a year. The old 
Territorial road was laid by Mr. Spalding; township line road was 
laid out under John Barter in 1871. To Messrs. Barter and Spal- 
ding is due the existence of South Saginaw and its enterprises. Too 
much credit cannot be given Mr. Barter in the enterprise he ex- 
hibits for the advancement of his community. In 1880 he was 
elected President of Saginaw County Mutual Fire Insurance Co. 
His home consists of 208 acres; having commenced life with only 
$400; never gave his note individually. 

Of the 5 children given to Mr. and Mrs. Barter, 4 are living — 
Leah, born Sept. 24, 1854; James, born June5, 1S62; Belinda, born 



SPALDING TOWNSHIP. 899 

June 20, 1864; and Annie, born Sept. 19, 1866. Mary was born 
Aug. 6, 1860, and died Sept. 6, 1862. 

A portrait of Mr. Barter appears on page 693. 

John F. HiJl, tanner, was born in Worcester Co., Mass., June 
2, L838; is a son of James and Sophia C. Hill; subject of sketch 
learned salt-making at Syracuse, N. Y., when 14 years of age;came 
to this county in 1861; was the first man to manufacture salt at Car- 
rollton; was engaged in this business in Bay and Huron counties, 
and in boring salt wells along the Saginaw river until October, 
l s 7'.». when he located on his present farm; he was United States 
Marshal in Huron county during the civil war, and Sheriff one term; 
has also been Justice of the Peace and Tp. Clerk; is a Republican 
in politics; was married in July, 1863, to Ellen Malone, who gave 
him 2 children — James B., born in June, 1864, and Nellie, born 
in February, 1869; wife died, and he was again married, on Thanks- 
giving day of 1879, to Louisa, widow of George Dollar, deceased, 
and daughter of Ephraim Whitcoinb, a pioneer of this county. 

John Loom /.v. farmer, sec. 13; P.O., South Saginaw; was born 
in Hampden Co., Mass., Nov. 24, 1827; parents were Josiah and 
Eunice Loomis; his father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died 
in Barry Co., Mich., Dec. 1, 1852; his mother was bom Aug. 10, 
1799, and is still living; they came to Calhoun Co., Mich., in 1836, 
and thence to Barry county, in 1845; subject of sketch came to 
this county in 1863, resided two years at South Saginaw, then 
removed to his present farm of 40 acres; is a member of the Dem- 
ocratic party; was married Aug. 7, 1849, to Margaret Hartom, who 
was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., April 18, 1832; parents are Robert 
and Elizabeth Hartom, natives of East Hill, N. Y.; 2 children have 
been sent to them — Orada, wife of George Hosmer, born Jan. 28, 
1858, and Kittie, wife of Augustus Dochstader, born Oct. 25, 1862. 

Dallas M. Pendleton, farmer, sec. 1; was born in Orleans Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 1, 1844; parents were Henry and Hannah Pendleton; 
his mother died when he was young, and in 1855 he accompanied 
his father to St. Joseph Co., Mich., where the latter died, Oct. 20, 
1870, aged 70 years; subject of sketch was educated in Eastman's 
College, New York, and Hillsdale College, Michigan; came to Sag- 
inaw county in 1869; was Justice of the Peace one term, Tp. Treas- 
urer five years, and Clerk two years; is a Democrat; owns 47 acres 
of land, valued at $200 per acre; was married, March 3, 1869, to 
Maria, daughter of D. L. C. Eaton, a prominent lumber dealer of 
the Saginaw "Valley; wife was born in Orleans Co., N". Y., July 15, 
1845; 5 children— Mary C, born March 10, 1870; Dallas C, born 
Sept. lo, 1871; Lucy M , born May 5, 1874; Charles E., born Dec. 
30, 1875; and Sarah E., born Sept'. 16, 1878. 

Richard Trevidick, farmer, sec. 25, was born at Cornwall, Eng., 
Jan. 20, 1831. In 1838 he accompanied his parents, John and 
Elizabeth Trevidick, to Upper Canada, where he grew to manhood; 
in 1860 went to East Saginaw, and was head sawyer in Warner & 
Eastman's saw-mill for two years; held same position in Mead, Lee 



900 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

& Co.'s mill three years. In 1865 himself and brother Henry, 
with two others, purchased a mill, which they operated for six 
years. A stock company was then formed, but the mill was subse- 
quently destroyed by tire; subject lost $2,000 by this fire. He 
located on his present farm of 80 acres in March, 1879; was mar- 
ried in October, 1857, to Elizabeth Grandchamp, who died in April, 
1858; was again married in September, 1858, to Plarriet Sutphin, 
born in Macomb Co., Mich., July 3, 1840; parents were Elias and 
Margaret Sutphin, who settled in Michigan in 1839; father was 
a native of New York, and died June 5, 1874; mother was native 
of New Jersey, and departed this life Sept. 17, 1874. Subject and 
wife had 6 children born to them, 4 of whom are living — William 
L., born April 9, 1870; Eva L., born Jan. 13, 1865; Alma A., born 
April 1, 1867; and Melvin S., born Sept. 17, 1874. 

Charles Ready, farmer, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 
1830; parents, David and Elizabeth Ready, came to Canada in 
1856, where the father died Dec. 25, 1867, and the mother in 1876. 
Subject of sketch, while in Ireland, was agent for the Board of 
Fisheries, and connected with the Internal Revenue service, but 
resigned the latter position when he came to America; in April, 
1865, located in Franklin Co., Pa., and in 1868 came to East Sagi- 
naw, where for a year he was in the employ of the United Petroleum 
Farm Association; he then removed to present farm; is a Republi- 
can; was married March 1, 185S, to Martha A., daughter of John 
and Jane Lewis, born in Canada in 1839. Of their 4 children, 3 
are living — John L., born Jan. 20, 1859; David A., born Dec. 6, 
1860; and Jennie, born May 14, 1863; Martha L. was born March 
24, 1874, and died April 7, 1880. Subject and wife are members 
of the M. E. Church; former was member of building committee, 
and is one of the Board of Trustees. 



ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 

This township was organized Feb. 9, 1853. The territory com- 
posing this township at the present time is described on the map as 
township 10 north, range 3 cast, and is bounded on the north by 
the townships of Swan Creek and James, on the east by Albee, on 
the south by Chesaning, and on the west by Brant township. The 
Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad enters the township through 
section 5, passing nearly due south in a straight line out of the 
township through section 33. Within the township there 
are two railroad stations, one at the village of St. Charles, and the 
other at Pine Grove station, on section 28. 

The lands of the township are drained by the Shiawassee river, 
which passes from south to north through its center, while the Bad 
river and its branches course through its northwestern corner" 
The soil of the township is fertile, and consists of various kinds, 
such as sandy clay, loam, gravel, etc. Originally its lands were 
covered by a dense growth of forest of various kinds of hard-wood 
and pine. 

Among the first permanent settlers in the township were Hiram 
Davis, C. B. Kimberly, Alpheus Oliver, from Ohio; Frank Oliver, 
Benjamin Colvin, from New York; Francis Harris and O. Doty 
came in 1852. At this time the only means of conveyance for 
families or goods was b} T canoe and rafts, it being almost impossible 
to pass through the dense forests with a team. 

The following year many other settlers came into the township, 
and soon there were enough inhabitants to perfect its organization. 
Among other early settlers may be mentioned J. T. Symes and 
Jared Freeman. 

The first house built in the township for a dwelling, was built of 
logs in 1852, by Hiram Davis. It was 18x26 feet, three rooms below 
and two above stairs. Mr. Davis occupied it with his family, also 
keeping a hotel. It was located on the south side of the south 
branch of the Bad river at its junction with the north branch. 
The first frame building was a store-house, built in 1852, by C. B. 
Kimberly; he kept some general goods for sale in this building, 
though not a regular store. The first frame built for a regular store 
was in 1853, by Mr. Kimberly. He kept a full line of general goods. 
This was the first store, and was located on the N. E. corner of Sag- 
inaw avenue and Water street, in St. Charles village. The building 
is still standing, and used as a store-house. The first frame dwelling- 
house was built in the summer of 1854, just south of log house, 
by a Mr. Carpenter. 

The first postoffice was established in the township in 1S53, at 
St. Charles village: Frank Oliver was the postmaster. The tirsr. 

(901) 



9U2 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

school-house was built in 1853. It was a frame building, located 
on section 5, and is now used for the same purpose in school dis- 
trict No. 1. The first teacher in this building was a Miss Joslin, 
who opened her school in May, 1854, and presided for about two 
weeks. There were some large scholars who were very disorderly. 
The teacher tried to enforce order, when the scholars forcibly 
seized and threw her out at the window. This young lad} r aban- 
doned the school in disgust, and the district was without a teacher 
until Sept. 8, 1854, when they secured the services as teacher of 
Mrs. C. J. E. Bixby, who was willing to run the chances of sim- 
ilar treatment for $1 per day. This lady remained as teacher for 
two years. The first male teacher was John W. Thorn, who suc- 
ceeded Mrs. Bixby. 

The first Sunday-school was started in 1854, by Artemus Doty 
and Mrs. Bixby. These same parties organized the first Bible 
class the same year. 

Mrs. Bixby was the first music-teacher in the township, and her 
piano (an upright) was the first one to make its appearance within the 
limits of the township. This instrument was bought by Mrs. Bixby 
in London, England, while she was attending the " World's Fair." 
The first regular 4th of July celebration in the township was in 
1855, w T ithin what is now the corporate limits of St. Charles vil- 
lage. It was a grand affair, and among the most prominent 
features of the procession were the scholars of Mrs. Bixby, dressed 
to represent the different States. 

The population of the township is 1,539. The township out- 
side of St. Charles village has three school-houses, being districts 
Nos. 3 , 5 and 7; average attendance of scholars in the three com- 
bined is 186. Each district averages six months school per 
year. 

On section 28 is a saw and stone mill, owned and operated by 
C. H. McArthur. 

ORGANIC. 

The township of St. Charles was organized under a resolution of 
the County Board, dated Feb. 9, 1853, ordering that the unorgan- 
ized territory known as township number 10 north, of ranges 1, 2 
and 3 east, and township number 11 north, of range 1, 2 and 3 east, 
also township number 11 north, of range 1 west, be organized into a 
township, to be known and designated by the name of St. Charles; 
which said township is described as being within the limits and 
under the jurisdiction of the count}' of Saginaw. It was also 
resolved "that the first annual township meeting for election of 
township officers for the further organization of said township, be 
held at the house of Hiram Davis, situated in said township of 
St. Charles, on the first Monday of April next; and that the fol- 
lowing named persons — David Gould, Isaac Bennett and Hiram 
Davis, being three electors of said township, be, and they are 



ST. CHARLES T0WN8HIP. 



903 



hereby designated and appointed to preside at said township 
meeting." 

The meeting was duly held in accordance with the spirit of the 
order, and the organization of the new township perfected. The 
record of township elections from 1853 to l s <'>8 could not be found; 
since that period, however, the names of the principal officers have 
been obtained, and are given in the following list: 

SUPERVISORS. 



A. L. Wetmore 1*69 

Francis Ackley l*70-'l 

Jaretl Freeman 1872 

A. L. Wetmore 1873 

P. Ackley L873 



Win. A. Conklin 1*74 '5 

V. L. Parsons 1876 

D. Paul ls77 '8 

Geo. A. Wallace 1879 '*<> 

Edward A. Stimson - 1881 



CLERKS. 



A. L. Simons 1869 

Anson Simons 1870 

A.J. Wood 1871 

Henry Hirst 1872 

A. J. Wood 1*7:! 



Geo. G. Goodrich 1S76 

D. O. Smith 1877 

Geo. G. Goodrich 1878 

D. O. Smith 1879 

Geo. G. Goodrich 1880 



J. B. Adams 1874-'5 Louis Fliekin°;er 1881 



TREASURERS. 



O. Eddy 1869- 

W.W. Eddy 1871 

11. 8. Case.". 1872 

F. Lytic 1*7:! 

W.L.Eddy 1874 



W. W.Eddy 1875 

P. Aekley 1876-'* 

Geo. B. S vines 1879 

F. Ackle}'' 1880 

D. O. Smith 1881 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



F. Lytic 1870-3 

L. Cross. 1870 

Orlando Eddy 187 1-'4 

Geo. A. Wallace 1*71 

Robert R. Thompson 1872 '5 

Geo. Spencer 1872 

Mason L. Dexter 1872-'5 

W. W. Fanner 1872 

Win. Swart 1873 

I). J. Orr 1873 

A Smith 1873 

A. L. Wetmore 1873 



Geo. A. Wallace 187:! 

I). J. Orr 1873 

Geo Spencer 1874-7 

Geo. A. Wallace 1875-'* 

Peter McCullv 187.1 

Wm. H. English 1876 

D.J. Orr..] 1877 

Geo. F. Brown 1878 

O. Williams 1879 

R. Ryness 1880-3 

J. W. Thorn 1881-4 

Geo. Spencer 1881 



ST. CHARLES VILLAGE. 

This thriving and pleasant village is located on the Bad river, 
and on the line of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad, 14 
miles in a southwesterly direction from the county-seat. It is the 
head of navigation on the Bad river. Two steam towing tugs, the 
'•Nickel" and "Saidee,'' ply between here and Bay City. The village 
has a population of <> s; o. and is an important shipping point; 



904 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



from this place, from May 1 to Dec. 31, 1880, was shipped by rail- 
road 21,416,953 pounds of freight; major portion of which was 
staves and lumber; during the same period there was received by 
railroad 2,372,848 pounds of freight. The postoffice at this point 
receives and distributes regularly 1,000 weekly, including local, 25 
daily and 100 monthly newspapers and magazines; receives annu- 
ally 40,000 to 50,000 letters and postal cards, while there is mailed 
at this postoffice about 50,000 letters and postal cards per year. 

The original proprietor of the first village plat was Charles S. 
Kimberly; and it was surveyed and layed out by J. B. Parks. 
The village was incorporated Oct. 26, 1869, and re-incorporated 
Jan. 15, 1874, under Legislative enactment datedJ1873. The terri- 
tory within the corporate limits comprises the land described as 
follows: The southeast fractional quarter, the southwest quarter, 
and the south half of the northwest quarter, of section 5. That 
part known as the Mickle, Lytle, and Hanchett's addition is 
described as follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of sec- 
tion 8, thence north, 88° 15' east,"2,2ol feet; thence south, 30° 17' 
west, 3,254^ feet; thence north, 59° 43' west, to the east bank of 
the south branch of the Bad river; thence northerly along the east 
bank of the south branch of Bad river to the west line of said sec- 
tion; thence north, 3° 41' west, to the place of beginning. 

The first village election was held Dec. 6, 1869, and the officers 
from that time to the present are as follows: 



1st board, 1869. 

R. R. Thompson, President. 
Lewis Penoyer, Trustee. 
Joseph Anderson, " 
A. L. Wetmore, " 

H. S. Guilford, 
Alfred Stewart, " 

Wm. Ashman, 
A. L. Simmons, Clerk. 

2d board, 1870. 

Lewis Penover, President. 
J. M. Silsbee, Trustee. 
Francis Ackley, " 
Orlando Eddy, " 
A. N. Hart, 
Joseph Anderson, ' ' 
Alfred Stewart, " 

A. L. Simons, Clerk. 

3d board, 1871. 

Lewis Penoyer, President. 
Isaac M. Silsby, Trustee. 
Francis Ackley, " 
AlsonL. Wetmore, " 
Joseph Anderson, " 
D. Webster Greene, " 
Hiram S. Guilford, il 
Addison J. Wood, Clerk. 

4th board, 1872. 

Francis Ackley, President. 



Aison L. Wetmore, Trustee. 
D. W. Greene, 
Hiram S. Guilford, " 

Henry Case, " 

Alfred Stewart, " 

A. J. Wood, Clerk. 

5th board, 1873. 

W. W. Eddy, President. 
Henry Case, Trustee. 
A. Stewart, " 
M. L. Dexter, " 
Daniel Paul, " 
D. W. Greene, " 
A. J. Wood, Clerk. 

6th board, 1874. 
Henry Case, President. 
D. A. Wetmore, Trustee. 
Austin Smith, " 

Wm. English, " 

Wm. Conklin, " 

Mason L. Dexter, " 
Daniel Paul, " 

James W. Harden, Clerk. 

7th board, 1875. 
W. W. Eddy, President. 
Wm. Ashman, Trustee. 
John B. Adams, ' ' 
Wm. A. Conklin, " 
Andrew Kanzig " 
Carl Shepan, " 



ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 



905 



Peter McCauley, True 
John Gollwitzer, Clerk. 

8th board. 1876. 

W. \Y. Eddy, President. 
Victor L. Parsons, Trust* e. 
G. T. Brown, 
John S. Mathews, 
K. A. Stimson, 
Carl Shepan, 
Peter McCauley, 
John < iollwitzer, Clerk. 

9th board, 1877 

Francis Ackley, President. 

Alfred Stewart. Trustee. 

Geo. F. Brown, 

( ail Shepan, 

John D. Thomas, 

V. L. Parsons, 

.1. S. Matthews, 

C. M. Butterfleld, Clerk. 

10th hoard, 1878. 

Henry Case, President. 
David 0. Smith, Trustee. 
Justice Ashman, 
John D. Thomas, " 
('.Shepan, 

A.Stewart, " 

I i F. Brown, " 

0. M. Buttertield, Clerk. 



11th board, 1879. 

Francis Ackley, President. 

John D.Thomas, Trustee. 

Justice Ashman, " 

David O. Smith, 

Carl Shepan, " 

Wm Swart, 

Win. Penny, 

Miles C. Holiday, Clerk. 

June 26, to rill vacancies were elected 
Sylvester dandle and Geo. A. Wal- 
lace. 

12th hoard, 1880. 

Geo. A. Wallace, President. 

Roswell R. Hiekey, Trustee. 

Dale C. Bennett, 

Ceo. F. Brown, 

Win Swart, 

Carl Shepan, 

Win. Panney, 

Dewitt C. Tiffany, Clerk. 

13th board, 1881. 

John W. Thorn, President. 
Geo. F. Brown, Trustee. 
E. A. Stimson, " 
R. R. Hiekey, " . 
DaleC. Bennett, " 
Cbas. Ditzler, " 

Wm. P. Stacy, 
Louis Flickinger, Clerk. 



BUSINESS INTERESTS, MILLS, ETC. 

The lumber and lath mill of Gould, Osburn & Co., manufacture 
5.0»»< i,000 feet per year, approximate value, $6<>,(»00. It gives em- 
ployment to 25 men, to whom is paid annually, $10,000. This busi- 
ness was established in 1874. 

St. Charles Stave and Heading Factory. — This concern was 
built and put into operation in 1874, by Francis Hood and Yictor 
L. Parsons, under the firm name of F. Hood & Co. The capacity 
of the mill per annum is 5.000,000 staves and 12,000 barrels of 
headings, each barrel containing 50 heads. The value of manu- 
factured goods is estimated at $35,000 per annum. This mill fur- 
nishes work to 35 or 40 men and boys, to whom is paid annually 
about $10,000. The motive power is steam, and is supplied with 
one 75 and one 30-horse power engine. The mill with its ma- 
chinery cost about $6,0imi. Their goods arc sold and shipped 
mostly to New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore parties. A 
cooper shop is also attached to this mill. 

The Lumber and Lath Mill owned and operated by L. Penoyer 
A: Co., manufactured in 18SO, 5,960,000 feet valued at from $70,000 
to $75,000, and employed 30 hands, who received $12,000. 

St. Charles Shingle Mill was established in 1880; manufact- 
ures 400,000 shingles per annum, valued at $9,000, and gives 
employment to eight hands. 



906 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Cheese box and Hoop Factory was established in 1880; has a 
capacity of 250,000 hoops, and 200,000 bands; elm wood is exclu- 
sively used. It employs six men; a 20-horse power steam-engine 
furnishes motive power. 

The Mystic Flouring and Custom Mill was built in 1880 by 
A. L. "We tm ore & Co. It is two-story and basement, 30 x 56, fur- 
nished with improved machinery, and run by a 40-horse power en- 
gine. The mill has a capacity to grind 250 bushels of wheat per 
day. It is now owned and operated by W. W. Eddy. 

The village is supplied with four hotels. The " Symes House," 
a large, new and well-furnished building, owned and kept by Mr. 
J. T. Symes, one of St. Charles pioneer citizens, and the " Diamond 
House," kept by Andrew B. Diamond, may be specially mentioned. 
The different places and kinds of business in the village, not here- 
tofore mentioned, are as follows : one hardware, one jewelry and 
cigar, one furniture and notion, one boot, shoe and gents' furnish- 
ing stores, 1 news depot, 2 meat markets, 1 pump factory, 1 
photograph gallery, two wagon shops, one planing-mill, one wood 
yard, one brick yard, two livery stables, three blacksmith shops, 
two harness shops, two barber shops, one gunsmith, one custom 
boot and shoe shop, two millinery stores, five general stores, two 
drugstore, one dry-goods, five groceries, a charcoal kiln, a black- 
berry wine factory which has produced as much as 8,000 gallons 
of wine in a year. The Leader is a weekly paper, edited by Gro- 
pengeiser & Rice, and the Reformer, a semi-monthly paper edited 
by Mrs. H. M. Conklin; of the professional men, there are four 
physicians and one dentist. 

THE SCHOOL-HOUSES 

for districts Nos. 1 and 2 are located in the village. No. 1 has an 
attendance of 35 scholars and has six months' 1 school during the 
year. District No. 2 has enrolled 105 scholars, and has nine 
months' session during the year. The buildings are frame and fitted 
with modern seats and desks. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious services in the township were held in the vil- 
lage. The Methodists were the pioneers and held their meetings 
until 1869 in private houses, school-houses, etc. The year above 
named a fine church edifice was erected, since which they have 
held their meetings in it. The first regular pastor of the denom- 
ination was the Rev. J. H. Curnalia. Those following were: 
Charles Simpson, W. E. Dunning, J. W. Crippen, A. S. Fair, 
Frederick Strong, A. B. Clough and the present pastor, J. W. 
Holt. The number of members in 1867 was 17, and at present 
45. The Sabbath-school has 60 scholars. The Church is out of 
debt. 



ST. CHAELES T0WN8HIP. 907 

In L869 the Presbyterian society built a neat church building, 
but most of its members having moved away, Church meetings 
were discontinued, and the building was rented for several years, 
when, in the spring of 1 S M. the society sold it to the Catholics, 
and it is now being fitted up for a Catholic church. The Catholics 
had held meetings here for several years, mostly in rented halls, 
until this purchase was made. There is no resident priest, but 
the new parish is visited by the Rev. Mr. Van der Hayden, Pastor 
of Saginaw City. Previously, the Catholics of the district were 
compelled to drive into Saginaw on Sundays and other holidays 
to attend Church. 

The first meetings of the denomination of Adventists were held 
in 1860, in the old school-house, the membership being from 30 
to 40. In 1869 they erected their present church building at an 
expense of about $2,500. The first to preach the Adventist doc- 
trine in this district was the Rev. M. E. Cornell, who held meet- 
ings in the old school-house during the winter of 1860-'61. 

SOCIETIES. 

Good Templars. — St. Charles Lodge received its charter April 
7. L875, then having 24 members. The lodge has held regular 
meetings up to the present time, and has now 40 members in good 
standing. Its present officers are: James Brott, W. C. T. ; Mrs. 
Abar. W. V. T., and George Stewart, R. S. 

Knights of Honor.— St. Charles Lodge, No. 1.642, was instituted 
April 25, 1879, with 23 charter members. Officers are: C. M. Bnt- 
lerfield. Dictator; Tobias L. Thompson, Vice-Dictator; R. J.Webb, 
Reporter: W. W. Eddy, Treasurer. The objects of this society 
are fraternity, benevolence, and mutual insurance. 

Masonic— St. Charles Lodge, No. 313, worked under a dispen- 
sation for about one year, and received its charter Jan. 29, 1874. 
The first officers under the charter were : Henry Case, W. M. ; 
Mason L. Dexter, S. W. ; Alson L. Wetmore, J. W. Its present 
officers are: E. A. Stimson, W. M. ; J. D. Thomas, S. W. ; and 
A. D. Huntington. J. W. 

Odd Fellows. — Perseverance Lodge, No. 253, was chartered 
Eeb. lit, 1875. R. < '. Myers. J. M. Silsby, Nelson Hickey, B. Col- 
\in. A. Cogswell, J. D. Thomas, Thos. Russell, Charles Parks and 
Abraham K. Stoner were charter members. Present member- 
ship is 38. Present officers are : Wm. Harvey, W. G. ; W. W. 
Eddy, V. G. ; R. J. Webb, R. S. and P. S. ; and C. M. Butterfield, 
Treasurer. 

The .V. Charles Library Association was organized in May, 1881; 
objects of the association are social and literary, and also to estab- 
lish a permanent library of miscellaneous and standard books that 
will be accessible to all the citizens of the village. The officers of 
the association are Dr. Henry Case, President; Mrs. Dr. Plamilton, 
Vice President; Miss Kittie Stewart, Librarian. 



908 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



PERSONAL SKETCHES. 



The sketches of the first settlers of a new township are doubly 
interesting, since they are at once historical and biographical. 
From the following, much that is instructive may be gleaned: 

J. G. Booth, blacksmith, St. Charles, was born in Pennsylvania 
in 1845. His parents are Samuel and Ruth (Gee) Booth, natives 
of England and Scotland. Mr. Booth received a common-school 
education, and commenced to learn his trade at the age of 15 years. 
In 1861 he enlisted in Co. E, 58th Reg. Penn. Vol. Inf., and was 
discharged at Washington, D. C, in' 1865, with the rank of 1st 
Lieutenant. He came to Saginaw county in 1867, and located at 
St. Charles village; is a member of the Republican party and the 
St. Charles Band. Has been moderately successful in life. He 
was married in 1870 to Miss N. J. Wallace. They have 2 chil- 
dren, Cynthia Myrtle andMaud. 

At the battle of Sandy Ridge, N. C, 8th February, 1862, Mr. 
Booth was taken prisoner by the rebels. He was first sent to the 
prison known as "Castle Thunder," Richmond, Va.. where he was 
kept about three weeks, when he was sent to the " Libby prison," 
where he was confined until June. From here he was sent to 
Belle Island prison, near Richmond, remaining there until the 
31st of December. At this place the prisoners suffered untold 
hardship, having no shelter, or food or water fit to eat or drink. 
The food mostly was corn ground with the cob, which they were 
obliged to eat without cooking. He was finally exchanged Jan. 1, 
1863, when, receiving a furlough of 30 days, he returned home, and 
then returned to his regiment. 

Charles M. Bradt,' M. D., St. Charles, Mich., was born at 
Utica, N. 1., in 1838; parents were Peter and Catherine (Cutter) 
Bradt, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Massa- 
chusetts; subject of sketch was educated at Falley Seminary, at 
Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y.; taught school at age of 18 years; sub- 
sequently attended State Medical University at New York city, 
graduating therefrom in 1879; located at St. Charles in 1880; has 
built up a large practice; in 1862 enlisted in Co. C, 121st Reg. N. 
Y. Vol. Inf., and was promoted to 1st Lieut. ; resigned in 1863; is 
Republican in politics; was married in 1861 to Julia Gr. Country- 
man, a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y. They have 3 children- 
Frank C, Lincoln E. and Peter E. 

Andrew B. Diamond, proprietor Diamond House, St. Charles, 
was born in Livingston Co., Mich., in 1843. His parents were 
natives of Queen's county and Belfast, Ireland. He was educated in 
the public schools of Michigan, and in 1862 located in this county, 
and engaged in the lumber business. He is Democratic in politics, 
and has served as Deputy Sheriff of Saginaw county, and Clerk of 
St. Charles tp. He was married at Bay City, Mich., in 1869, to 
Ella Downes. Of their 5 children, 4 are living — Clara A., born 
April 21, 1870; Charles H., born Aug. 8, 1872; Ella Mav, born 



ST. CHARLES K'WNSHIP. 909 

Oct. 18, 1874, and Andrew Richard, born April 7, 1877. Robert 
William was born Nov. 15, 1879, and died April 1, 1881. 

William Doty, gunsmith at St. Charles, was born in Oakland 
Co., Mich., Dec. 21, 1844. His parents were Orsamns and H. 
Loretta (Seaman) Doty, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born 
in 1817, and died iti 1867, and the latter of Rutland Co., Vt., and 
born May 21,1820. They located in St. Charles village in 1851, 
and brought the subject of this sketch with them, he then being 
about six years of age. When he was but four years of age he had an 
attack of brain fever, which has caused him ever since to be quite 
deaf. He was educated at the Asylum at Flint, Mich. He learned 
the trade of gunsmith at St. Charles, at which he has worked seven 
years, and is more than ordinarily skillful at all kinds of mechani- 
cal operations; is good with stationary engines. He resides with 
his mother in St. Charles village. Mrs. Doty is the oldest settler 
now living in St. Charles tp., Hiram Davis and famil}' being the 
only ones that settled here before Mr. Doty's family. 

Jiired Freeman. — This gentleman is one of the most substantial 
and enterprising business men of St. Charles village, as well as one 
of its earliest settlers. He was born in the town of Belleville, Jef- 
ferson Co., N. Y., in 1834. His parents, George H. and Rebecca 
(Eaton) Freeman, came to this county with their family when 
Jared was but 18 months old. Here he received his early educa- 
tion at the common schools. Mr. Freeman located at St. Charles 
village in 1854, his worldl}' goods consisting at that time of only 
s5 in money, the clothes he wore and those contained in his satchel; 
but with good health, habits and perseverance, success followed. 
He soon opened a store with a general stock of goods. This was 
the second store ever opened in the village. He has been identified 
with the business interest of St. Charles 27 years merchandising 
and 24 years in the lumber trade, and is still largely interested in 
both lines of business. He now carries one of the largest stocks of 
general goods in the village. He is also largely interested in real 
estate, owning 2,655 acres of land in Saginaw county, 1,840 acres 
in Bay county and 720 acres in Gratiot county. Mr. Freeman is a 
Democrat fn politics, and has served the tp. in various offices, 
among which were: Supervisor, three years; Township Clerk, two 
years; Tillage Trustee, two years; and Justice of the Peace one 
term. Pie was married in 1858 to Miss Caroline Adams, of New 
York. They have a family of 2 children — Mart and Augusta L. 

Rev. Joseph W. Holt, of St. Charles, was born in Connecticut 
in 1819. His parents were Oliver and Sidney (Clapp) Holt. His 
maternal grandfather, Earl Clapp, was a Major in the Patriot army, 
and served under Gen. Warren at Bunker Hill. Mr. H. was educated 
at Albion College, Michigan, and commenced to teach at the age of 
21 years. His first ministerial work was among the Indians in 1846, 
and he was also engaged at Detroit for a short period. He was 
reared in the doctrines of the Congregational Church, but has been 
a member of the M. E. Church since 1842. He was married in 



910 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

1848 to Caroline C. Woodruff. They have 5 children— Nellie E. 
L., Jndson C, Edwin D., Arthur E. and Lucius I. 

Edwin H. Jone* was prominent atriong the early settlers of Sagi- 
naw county. He was born in Tompkins Co.. N. Y., in 1825, and 
is a son of E. K. and Maria (Andrews) Jones, natives of New York, 
and of English descent. Edwin received his education in the com- 
mon schools and subsequently attended an academy. His occupa- 
tion has always been that of a farmer and dealer in lumber. He 
settled in St. Charles village the same year it was surveyed by his 
brother-in-law, J. B. Parks, and until 1874 operated a saw and 
shingle mill. Since then he has devoted his entire attention to 
farming. He owns a well-improved farm and a neat and sub- 
stantial residence. Mr. Jones believes in the principles as set forth 
by the Republican party, and has tilled various tp. offices. He was 
married in 1855 to Ann Louisa Lewis. They have 5 children — 2 
boys and 3 girls, all living. Mr. Jones enlisted in the 29th Mich. 
Vol. Inf., and served one year in the war of the great Rebellion, 
from September, 1864, to September, 1865. He was Orderly 
Sergeant. 

Freeman Z,ytle, retired farmer, sec. 7, was born in New Y r ork in 
1827 ; parents were Stephen and Abby (Sheldon) Lytle, former a 
native of New York, of Irish descent, and the latter of Vermont, 
of English ancestry ; subject of sketch received a common-school 
education, and operated the second saw mill in St. Charles tp., 
now the Penoyer mill ; has been very successful in business, and 
owns 160 acres of land, a portion of which lies within the limits of 
St. Charles village ; has held all tp. offices ; is a Greenbacker, and 
has retired from active business ; married Mary Brink, who bore 
him 2 children, and died, in 1853 ; in 1854 he married Sarah Davis, 
of New Y r ork ; parents were of English and German descent; 
father was the first white man to settle at the forks of Bad river, 
or what is now 7 the village of St. Charles ; 6 children were sent to 
bless this marriage, 3 of whom are living. 

C. H. McArthur, proprietor of a saw and shingle mill, was born 
at Detroit, Mich., in 1834. He is a son of Alexander and Tirzah 
(Root) McArthur, the former of whom was an extensive land- 
owner in this State, at an early day. He first settled at Corunna 
in Shiawassee county, and it was mainly through his exertions that 
the county-seat was located at that point. He also discovered 
and opened the first coal mine at that place. He is Vice-President 
i »f the First Nat. Bank of Corunna, and was once Mayor of the 
place. While living in # Detroit, he was High Sheriff of Wayne 
county. He was a strong Democrat until the war, and since then 
he has been a Republican. C. H. came to Corunna in 1838, and 
took charge of a saw-mill north ofChesaning, and operated it four 
years. After three years at Corunna, in the same business, he 
came to St. Charles tp., and in partnership with his father, built a 
saw-mill on sec 28, at a cost of $8,000. The mill was destroyed by 
tire, and they have since erected another in its place, of which C. 



8T. CHASLES TOWNSHIP. 913 

II. lias full charge. He was married in 1863, to Frances (). Ware, 
a Dative of Rochester, X. Y. She is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. They have 3 children — Harry E., Myrtle T. anclErwin 
E. Mr. McArthur owned at one time here, about t,200 acres of 

land. 

Victor L. Parsons^ of the firm of F. Hood & Co., stave manu- 
facturers, St. Charles, Midi., was horn in New York in 1840. 
His parents were E. <*. and Emeline Parsons, natives of New 
York, and of English and German descent. Victor was educated 
in Oswego <<>.. X. Y., and when young shipped as a sailor on the 
great lakes, and arose to he commander of the vessel, " Commodore 
Foote." He learned his present business in New York, and in 
1^74 located at St. Charles. He commenced business with F. 
Hood, of Saginaw City, and although having to suffer twice from 
financial embarrassment, he lias finally conquered all difficulties, 
and the firm are doing a large and flourishing business. Mr. Parsons 
was married in New York, in 1865, to Helen A. Passmore, who 
bore him 2 children — Florence A. and Ernest Y. Mrs. Parsons 
died in 1869, and he was again married in 1871, to Frances P. 
Johnson. One child has been given to this union — Edward L. 
Mr. Parsons was at onetime Supervisor of St Charles tp. 

Charles IT. P<irks, a son of Asahel Parks, an honored pioneer of 
Chesaning tp., was born in 1833, and at the age of 12 years ac- 
companied his parents to Michigan. He lirst found employment 
with R. P. Mason, with whom he remained sixyears. After a year 
with J. W. Turner in the saw-mill business, four years in the same 
business at Saginaw City, and 12 years working at the carpenter's 
trade, at St. (diaries, he located on his present farm, where he has 
since resided. He was married Sept. 18, 1856, to Jane Seaman, 
who was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Jan. 31, 1840, and is a daugh- 
ter of Charles Seaman. They have 3 children— Elva M., born in 
October, 1865 ; Charles, born Aug. 2, 1876, and Ross, born May U2, 
l s 7i>. Mr. Parks is a Republican. His father, who now resides at 
Granville, Mich., was the father of 7 children — Isaac, Asher, Me- 
hitable, Eunice, Eshiel, Charles and Oliver. 

J. T. Symes, dealer in lumber, St. Charles, was born in Berk- 
shire Co., Mass., June 20, 1821, and is a son of James Symes, a 
native of London, England. He was educated in the public 
schools of Massachusetts and Ohio, and in 1855, came to St. 
Charles with a capital of $25,000. He invested in lumber, saw- 
mill, etc.. and in 1861 lost his mill and considerable lumber by fire, 
his individual loss $5,000. His property was again destroyed in 
1869, loss $5,000. and the third time in 1876, the latter lire causing 
a loss of $20,000. He carries a large stock of lumber, and owns a 
good hotel at St. Charles, also Symes' Hall at the same village. He 
is Republican in politics, although he has not voted since leaving 
Ohio. He was married in Ohio, in 1816, to Mar}' D. Hines, who 
has borne him 5 children — 4 boys and 1 girl. The sons are all en- 
gaged in business in this State, and the wife and daughter are still 
living in Ohio. 

55 



i»14 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

John W. Thorn, merchant, St. Charles, was born at Troy, N. Y., 
in 1837. He is a son of James H. and Mary C. (Feathers) Thorn, 
natives of New York, the former of English and the latter of Ger- 
man ancestry. John W. received a practical education at the Yates 
Polytechnic Institute, from which he graduated, with honor, in 
1856. At the age of 19 years he commenced to teach a district 
school in Michigan, which occupation he successfully followed for 
three years. In 1857 he was a teacher in the St. Charles school. 
In 1858 he located in Greenwood Co., Kan., where he was subse- 
quently elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools. 
Whe.i Kansas was admitted to the Union, Mr. Thorn was a dele- 
gate to the State Convention. In 1861 he returned to Michigan 
and located at Owosso, where he was engaged in the hardware 
business for six years. After the same period at Detroit, in the 
same business, he returned to Owosso, and for a time was with 
Rogers & Stewart. He afterward opened a hardware store at St. 
Charles for one year, since when he has been engaged in the gro- 
cery and general farm produce business. He is a staunch Republi- 
can, President of the Village Board of Trustees, and a prominent 
member of the Knights of Honor. He was married in 1858, to 
Celia L. Simons. They have 2 children — John 13., born in 1867, 
and George William, born in 1873. 

George A. Wallace, St. Charles, Mich., was born in New York, 
July 29, 1828; parents were George and Abigail (Branch) Wallace, 
the former a native of Massachusetts, of Scotch descent, and the 
latter of Vermont, of English ancestry. Subject of sketch has 
worked at the blacksmith and cooper trades; first located in Wash- 
tenaw Co., Mich., in 1859; located at St. Charles, where he is Pres- 
ident of Village Board, and Superintendent of the Schools; has filled 
various tp. offices; is member of Greenback party; owns 500 acres 
of land, a hotel and business building in St. Charles; was married 
in 1848 to Nancy Pose, who bore him 5 children and died in 
1S74; was again married in 1876, to a widow lady, formerly Miss 
Cynthia Adams. 

Alson L. Wetmore, proprietor saw-mill in Marion tp. and resides 
at St. Charles, was born in Ohio in 1832. His parents, Asher and 
Electa (Talcott) Wetmore, are natives of New York, and of English 
descent. Alson received the educational facilities afforded by the 
district school, and until his 21st year, spent his life on a farm and 
in the lumber business. In 1812 his parents decided to remove to 
Michigan, but after the household effects had been shipped, the 
mother died, and the father and son came alone. Alson erected 
the first grist-mill in St. Charles tp., now owned and operated by 
W. W. Eddy. He removed to St. Charles village in 1854, since 
which time he has been prominently identified with the growing 
interests of that thriving village. He was a clerk for three years 
and served the same length of period as Postmaster. He 
has filled the principal tp. offices. In 1856 he married Elizabeth 
D.ty. Their only child is Carrie E. In 1870 Mr. Wetmore and 
wife visited California on a pleasure trip. 



SWAN CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

. The organization of this township was* ordered Aug. 30, I860, 
as follows: "'Resolved, Tiiat the territory described in said applica- 
tion as follows, to wit, township number 11 north, of range 3 
east; sections number 5, 6 and 7, and fractional sections number 2, 3, 
4. 8, 9, 17 and IS, in township north,of range 4 east (said sections and 
fractional sections lying between the Tittabawassee and Shiawassee 
rivers); also fractional sections 31 and 32, south of the Tittabawas- 
see river, in township number 12 north, of range 4 east, be, and the 
same is, liereby erected into a township to be called and known by 
the name of the township of Swan Greek. The first annual town- 
ship meeting thereof shall be held at the house of George W. 
Eeaman, on Monday, the first day of April, 1861, at 10 o'clock in 
the forenoon; and at said meeting George W. Beaman, Colin Mc- 
Bratnie and John Leighton, three electors of said township, shall 
be the persons whose duty it shall be to preside at such meeting." 

The township officers from 1870 to the present time are 
named in the following list; those who served from 1861 to 1869 
cannot be given, as the township records for that period were not 
forthcoming: 

SUPERVISORS. 



Colin McBratnie • ....1870-'2 

E. S. Dunbar .1873-'4 

Robert R. Thompson 1875 



Reuben W. Beeman 1876-'9 

Henry Voight 1880 

Chas." B. Tefft 1881 



CLERKS. 



Jacob Zieroff 1870-'4 

Chas. Teffi 1875-'80 



Ilelon B.Allen 1881 



TREASURERS. 



D. S. Dunbar 1870 

Joseph Zieroff 1871-'2 

Clin McBratnie 1873 

Joseph Zieroff. L874 



A. Davis Asnew 1875 

Porter Allen 1876-'8 

Mark K.Allen 1S79 

Hiram J. Stanard 1880-'l 



JUSTICES OF TBE PEACE. 



Joseph Egeres 1870-' 1 

.). E. Crosby 1870-'l 

Aaron Burr 1872 

\V. P Putnam 1873 

J. E. Crosby 1874 

John Seigleton 1874 

O.F.Beebe 1875 

Henry Voight 1875 

E/raC. Barr 1876 

Thomas Steele 1876 



Benry Voight 1877 

Andrew E. Beebe 1877 

Thomas Trainer 1878 

B. McCarty 1878 

D. A. Welmore 1879 

F.E.Crosby 1879 

J. Morton 1880 

D. A. Wetmore 1880 

Henrv Voight 1881 



(915) 



916 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

The present township officers of Swan Creek include the names 
given in the list, together with Russell J. Webb, Commissioner of 
Highways; R. W. Beeman, Superintendent of Schools; Ezra C. 
JBarr, School Inspector; Sabina Robinson and Jesse E. Crosby, Con- 
stables. There are 239 children of school age in the township. 

R. H. Nason has been the owner of the large saw-mill at Garfield 
Station for the last three years. It was previously operated by 
Mr. Penoyer. Helon B. Allen, W. Husen and R. IT. Nason are 
owners of the salt well and block built in November, 1879. These 
great industries give employment to a large number of hands, and 
form a village in themselves. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

H. B. Allen, of the firm of Nason, Allen & Co., salt manufacturers, 
Garfield, Mich., was bora in Niagara Co., N. Y., Nov. 28, 1844; pa- 
rents are D. P. and Clarissa Allen ; father a native of Massachusetts; 
mother, of New York; subject of sketch was reared on a farm, re- 
ceiving his education at the Union school of Lockport, N. Y. ; in 
1869 he came to this county, and engaged in making salt until 
1879, when he removed his interests to Garfield, Mich.; is a Re- 
publican in politics, and is the present Clerk of this tp. ; was married, 
Dec. 16, 1875, to Nellie R., daughter, of William and Laura Mc- 
Knight. Mr. Allen is a man of enterprise and sterling business 
qualities. 

Henry Tefft, school-teacher, district No. 2, St. Charles tp., was 
born in New York in 1844. His parents are Rowland and Lucy (Bill) 
Tefft, the former a native of Rhode Island, and of Scotch descent, the 
latter of Yermont, and of English descent. Henry was educated in the 
Normal school at Albany, N. Y., graduating Jul} 7 11, 1867. He 
immediately commenced to teach school in St. Charles village for 
one term; he had taught two years in New York previous to graduat- 
ing. In the fall of 1867 he came to Michigan, where his father had 
purchased a saw-mill in Swan Creek tp., and for 10 years assisted 
him in its operation. In 1880 he obtained his present position (his 
father still owns and operates the saw-mill). He is Republican in 
politics, and was once Superintendent of Schools of Swan Creek tp. 
Mr. Tefft is the present principal of schools in St. Charles village, 
having held the position for two years. 



TAV MOUTH. TOWNSHIP. 

This district possesses all the physical characteristics necessary 
to render it one of the richest agricultural divisions of the county, 
if not a valuable manufacturing one. The Flint river flows through 
a deep channel, from south to north through the central sections, 
and thence northwest to its confluence with the Saginaw Silver 
creek flows westward, and enters the Flint at the N. E. quarter of 
section 17. Birch run may be said to water the northern sec- 
tions, as it flows northwestfrom section 12, through sections 11,10, 
3, 4, 5. and 6, flowing into the main stream to the northwest. Pine 
run waters the southern townships, and enters the Flint near 
the old shingle mill on section 22. The Flint & Pere Marquette 
railroad runs southeast through sections 2, 11, 12, and 13, with a 
depot at the little village of Blackmar. There also are the princi- 
pal mills and salt works of the township. The postomce depart- 
ment recognizes the two offices of Blackmar, in section 2, and 
Tavmouth, on the Flint, in section 33. Together with the Black- 
mar industries is the grist-mill, formerly operated by Iteid, Shiel- 
der & Co., Morse's shingle mill, McKinney's saw and shingle mill, 
and the McNally saw and shingle mill. The public cemetery of 
the township is located on the southwest quarter of section 9. 

The common springs of the township are numerous, and the wa- 
ter good. The salt springs yield the ordinary supply of brine, 
while the streams afford a full supply of fairly good water for all 
ordinary purposes. In this connection the township possesses rare 
advantages. 

The pioneer citizens of Tavmouth have acted well their part in 
the drama of real life. It pertains to their children to further de- 
velop its agricultural and mineral resources. 

organk . 

The township of Taymonth was organized under authority given 
by the Legislature, in an act approved Feb. 17, 1842, setting off 
from the township of Saginaw that territory known as the town- 
ship of Tavmouth. The terms of the act are as follows: " All that 
part of the county of Saginaw (now a part of the township of Sag- 
inaw) included in the following boundaries, viz.: — commencing on 
the east side of Flint river, on the county line beeween Saginaw 
and Genesee, at the southeast corner of township 10 north, range 5 
east, thence north on said township line to the northeast corner of 
said township, thence west on said township line to the northwest 
corner of section 4, thence north on section lines to the bank of 
Cass river, thence down said river to its junction with the Shiawas- 

(917) 



918 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



see river, thence up the Shiawassee river to the county line between 
Saginaw and Shiawassee, thence east on said county line to the 
place of beginning be, and the same is, hereby set off and organized 
into a separate township by the name of Faymouth, and the first 
township meeting shall be held at the house of A. F. Ilayden." 
This act was approved Feb. IT, 1842, giving the township now 
called Taymouth, the name of Faymouth. 

The first town meeting was held at the house of A. F. Hayden, 
April 4, 1842. A. F. Hayden was Moderator; James Farquharson, 
Clerk; John Farquharson,James McCormick and John Ritchie, In- 
spectors of Election. The vote was taken by ballot, with the fol- 
lowing results: Supervisor, John Farquharson; Clerk, James 
Farquharson; Treasurer, James Farquharson; Justices of the Peace, 
John Farquharson, John Ritchie, J. B. Watkins, A. F. Hayden; 
Assessors, John McKinzie, jr., A. F. Ilayden; Highway Commis- 
sioners, John Farquharson, John Ritchie, John Malone; School 
Inspectors, A. F. Hayden, James McCormick, James Farquharson; 
Overseers of the Poor, A. F. Hayden, Robert McCormick; Consta- 
ble, John Malone; Overseers of Highways, John McKenzie, Robert 
McCormick. 

There were only eight voters present at this election, seven of 
whom were chosen township officials. 

The following list contains the names of the township officers 
down to the present time: 

SUPERVISORS. 



John Farquharson 1842-\5 

Wm. H. Nelson 1845-'7 

Alfred D. Goyer 1848 

Lovel F. Harris 1849 

David D. Ross 1850-'2 

M. H.Smith 1853 

D.D.Ross 1854 

L. W. Vaughan 1855 

D. D. Ross l856-'7 

G. W. Armstrong 1858 

D. D.Ross 1859 



G. W. Armstrong 1860-'l 

Horace K. Sloan 18G2 

Charles Ruggles 1863 

D. D. Ross 1864 

Henry C. Wilber 1865-'7 

Francis W. McNally 1868 

John Mcintosh 1869 ■ 

F. W. McNally 1870 

Francis McKenna 1871 

Arthur Ross 1S72-'81 



CLERKS. 



James Farquharson 1842 

John McKenzie 1843 

James Farquharson 1844 

Henry S. Edgett 1845 

Alfred D. Goyer 1846-7 

Geo. W. Brown 1848 

Lovel F. Harris 1849-\50 

Francis Harris 1851 

H. H. Walcott 1852 

W. H. Nelson 1853-'4 

John Malone 1855 

Austin Smith 1856-'8 



Charles Anthony 1859 

Hugh Cuthbert. I860 

Thomas Reid 1861-'7 

Louis Racine 1868 

J ames Leach 1869 

Arthur Ross 1870-'l 

Gideon Horning , 1872 

David McNally 1873 

Gideon Horning 1874 

James Leach 1875-'6 

Thomas Reid 1877 

James Leach 1878-'8l 



\\\ Mni'ni TOWNSHIP 



919 



tJBE B8. 



James Farquharsou ls4 - 3':'> 

John Ritchie 1844 

Ceo. \V. Chapman L845 

John Malo ie 1846 

Samuel Bemmenway 1847 

John Malone " l848-'53 

John Ritchie 1854 '69 

John Mcintosh 1870 



Andrew Leach L871 

Thomas Reid 1872 '3 

William McGregor l874-'6 

Duane M. Cook 1877 "s 

Francis McNally 1879 

Prank McNally. 1880 

David McNally 1881 



JUSTICES. 



J. Farquharson, -I. Ritchie, J. B. 

Watkins, A. F. Bayden 1842 

A. F. Bayden L843 

Thomas W. Wright 1844 

Wm H. Nelson, l\ W. Wright.1845 

John Maloae i s4<; 

Alfred D. Goyer 1847 

Daniel Bubbard 1848 

Robert McCormick, 1). 15. Ross, 

.). Ritchie L849 

John Malone 1850 

Henry II. Wolcott, John Ritchie. 1851 
Robert McCormick, J. B. Bomerl852 
M. W Smith. Leander L. Hill. .1853 

Amos Miner, B. F. Morse 1854 

M. Black, L. VV. Vaughan, ( '. 

Pattee 1855 

Charles L. Pattee 1856 

< }eo. W. < Hover, Andrew Leach, 

S. Sprague 1857 

Austin Smith. .In--. B. Becker.. . 1858 
Russell S. Parker. Geo. Foltz.. .1859 



Andrew Leach 1860 

Seth Sprague 

Jno. Mcintosh, Russel L. Parker 18(34 

Walter N. Chapin 1865 

John P. Whitney, J. M.-Intosh I860 

P. vv. McNally, Geo. Foltz 1867 

Chris. Nocolas, W. B. Chapin.. 1868 
( ho. S. Tanner, I). Trumper. . . .180!) 
W. X. Chapin. J. B. Becker. .. .1870 

Andrew White, Geo. Foltz 1871 

John Smith, Levi BruDSon — 1872 
Jas. W. Morse, Geo. S Tanner. .1873 

George Foltz 1 874 

< teorge S. Tanner 187-*> 

Patrick Judge 1870 

David McNally, Jos. fl. Becker, 

P. F. Becker 1877 

James W. Morse 1878 

Francis W. McNally 187!) 

Duane M. Cook.... 1880 

Bueu Luthbertson 1881 



The other officers of the township at present are: Charles Mc- 
Donald, School Commissioner; Lyman S. Kibby, Superintendent 
of Schools; Herbert Barrett, School Inspector; Wm. Boice, Drain 
Commissioner; David Hopkins, Thomas Cnthbertson, Edward Dut- 
ton, Abram Young, Constables. 

These local legislators, fis well as their predecessors in office, 
have generally acted in a manner creditable to themselves and 
profitable to the citizens. Many of the early settlers were citizens 
of foreign birth, who, on coming here, were not slow to realize the 
position which man holds in the Republic; and being cognizant of 
what was due to themselves and to the county of their adoption, 
pushed forward the work of municipal organization, guarded their 
privileges well, were faithful to their neighbors, and by a course of 
strict adherence to the principles of industry, succeeded in raising 
that tract of the beautiful wilderness to the position of a rich agri- 
cultural township. 



THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 



The church buildings of the township are those belonging to the 
Episcopal and Presbyterian societies. They are neat edifices, < ach 



920 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW' COUNTY, 



bearing testimony to the zeal of its supporters. Rev. Mr. Malcolm 
is the present pastor of the Presbyterian Church. 

The schools of the township are well conducted. There are six 
districts, each claiming a substantial school building. A reference 
to the statistics given in the County History will' show the number 
of children attending these schools, together with the aggregate 
number in the township at the date of the last census. 



LA.ND-BUYER- 



The purchasers of the United States lands within the township 
of Taymouth are named in the following list: 



James Bebee, sec 1, Jan 10, 1851 
F. & P. M. R. R., sec 1, July 15, 1871 
James Daily, sec 1, Oct 10, 1851 
Thomas Daily, sec 1, Oct 10, 1851 
Jacob Oarlock, sec 1, Jan 16, 1852 
Volney ChapiD,sec 1, Aug 21, 1851 
Abel T. Blackmar, see 2, Aus; 5, 1852 
William Post, sec 2, Jan 16, 1*52 
Peter Leasia, sec 2. Nov 7, 1854 
Samuel Wright, sec 2, July 31, 1851 
Nehemiah Phillips, sec 2, Jan 16, 1852 
S. D. Kimball, sec 2, July 31, 1851 
John Gilbert, sec 2, Oct 10, 1851 
Ezra Desbrow, sec 3, Sept 24, 1853 
Stephen Horey, sec 3, Nov 10, 1855 
Philip Sculler, sec 3, Aug 20, 1851 
Gilbert Parish, sec 3, Aug 20, 1851 
Thomas E. Dorsey, sec 3, Aus? 20, 1851 
John Cleager, sec 3, July 31, 1851 
John W. Denton, sec 3, Aug 20, 1851 
Samuel Wright, sec 3, Aug 20, 1851 
Eli Z. Tripp, sec 3, Aug 4, 1851 
John J. Waters, sec 4, Aug 20, 1851 
Sebastian Shipley, sec 4, Aug 20, 1851 
Prudence Albaugh, sec 4, Aug 20, 1851 
Nathan Drake, sec 4, Aug 20, 1851 
John S. Eastbrook, sec 4, Aug 22, 1853 
Horace Morley, sec 4, Aug 20, 1851 
Abiah Olds, sec 4, July 31, 1851 
John S. Eastbrook, sec 5, Aug 22, 1853 
John B. Hanier, sec 5, Nov 29, 1854 
James F. Clark, sec 5, June 15, 1836 
Norman Little, sec 5, Aug 25, 1836 
James F. Clark, sec 6, June 15, 1836 
H. H. LeRoy, sec 6, April 15, 18H7 
John Farquharson, sec 6, Feb 15, 1836 
Jolm Malone, sec 6, Nov 5, 1835 
John Paton, sec 7, June 9, 1834 
T. L. L. Brent, sec 7, March 30, 1836 
John Neate, sec 7, Oct 12, 1835 
Stephen Beers, sec 7, March 21, 1836 
Thomas J. Drake, sec 7, A pril 29, 1836 
D. Houghton, sec 7, May 20, 1836 
John A. Welles, sec 7, May 20, 1836 
H. G. Hubbard, sec 7, May 20, 1836 
Josiah Beers, sec 8, March' 21, 1836 



Stephen Beers, sec 8, March 21, 1836 
James R. Slausson, sec 8, Oct 21, 1853 
J. Farquharson, sec 8, July 16 and Oct 

8, 1835 
Gideon Paull, sec 8, Feb 13, 1836 
Win. Barclay, sec 8, Oct 16, 1835 
John S. LeRoy, sec 8, Aug 25, 1835 
Sylvanus D. Morgan, sec 9, Aug 4, 1851 
Sam'l B. Newell, sec 9, July 31, 1851 
Jacob I. Mesick,sec9, Aug 20, 1851 
Geo. Middleton, sec 9, Aug 21, 1851 
Dairi Slausson. jr., sec 9, Dec 16, 1835 
Malcom Yerrington, sec 10, Aug 4, isr>l 
Henry Weaver, jr., sec 10, July 31, 1851 
Rilev Holley, sec 10, July 31*1851 
T. L.*L. Brent, sec 10, April 11, 1836, 

and March 26, 1836 
Peter Lloyd, sec 11, July 31, 1851 
Geo. J. Waliath, sec 11, July 31, 1851 
Wm. Smith, sec 11, July 31, 1851 
T. L. L. Brent, sec 11, March 26, 1836 
Frederick Baell, sec 12, June 25, 1836 
J. I. Channaud, sec 12, June 25, 1836 
C Chamberlain, sec 12, Sept 16, 1837 
John Montle, sec 12, Nov 11, 1854 
Lyman Park, sec 12, Jan 23, 1837 
T! L. L. Brent, sees 12 and 13, March 

26, 1836 
Anson H. Bebee, sec 13, Nov 11. 1854 
D. Houghton, sec 13, May 20, 1836 
John A! Welles, sec 13, May 20, 1836 
H.G.Hubbard, sec 13, May 20, 1836 
T. I,. L. Brent, sec 14, Mar 26, 1836 
D. Slausson, jr., sees 14 and 15, Dec 16, 

1835 
Edward Ottey, sec 15, June 13, 1836 
Robert McCormick. sec 15, July 2, 1836 
T. L. L. Brent, sec 15, March 26, 1836 
Timothy Bat tell, sec 16, June 1. 1850 
John Farquharson, sec 16, Oct 15, 1852 
David Ross, sec 16, Dec 5, 1874 
John Farquharson sec 17, July 16, 1835 
John P. LeRoy, sec 17. Dec 5, 185:', 
D. Houghton, sec 17, May 20. 1831! 
John A'. Welles, sec IT, May 20, 1836 
H. G. Hubbard, sec 17, May 20, 1836 



I.U Mnl Til TOWNSHIP. 



921 



I!. V Ashley sec. IT. Feb. 19, 1836. 
James I*. Hayden,sec. 17, Jan 24, 1882. 
Win. s Btevens, sec. 17, July 6, f-36. 
Timothy Battell, sec. IT, Junel, 1850, 
Douglas Boughton, sec. is. May 20,1836 
John A. Welles,sec is. May 20, 1886. 
BenryG. Bubbard, sec. is. May20,1836 
Jos H. Beeker, sec. 18, Sept. 11, 1854. 
Aurclia M. Battay,sec 1 8, Nov. 28, 1854 
Jas. R Slauson, Bee is. June 10, 1852 
Benj. F. Partridge, sec. 19, April 1,1854 
Win. I), [ngereoll, sec. 19, Nov. 11,1854 
Win II. Nelson, sec. 19, Nov. 11. 1854. 
Gordon C. Cone, sec. 19, Jan. 15, 1855. 
Win. Battay, sec. in, April 23, 1*55. 
Edmund R. Row, sec. 2<>, Dec. 2, 1850, 

ami Dec. 2, 1851. 
1). A. Pettibone, -or. 20, Aug. 5,1868. 
Ephraim ('. Deffln,sec. 20,May 17,1867 
Wm. Y. Halev, sec. 20, July 26, 1870. 
Geo W. Spencer, sec. 20, Aug 17.1868 
la-. Bayden, sec. 20, Jan. 11, is.")."), and 

May :i. 1856. 
Wm. B. Nelson, sec. 20, May 3. 1856. 
Win. S. Haley, sec 80, Oct. 3, 1869. 
Cbas. J. Sutton, sec. 20, Dec.::, 1803 
Darwin A. Pettibone. sec. 2), March 

24. 1864 
Cbas. J. McLean, sec. 21, June 25, 1836 
Missionary Society M. E. Church, sec. 

21, Ncn . ::. ls'48 

David 1). Ross. sec. 21 May 9, 1844. 
Timothy Battel). Bee. 21. June 1, 1850. 
Nathaniel Nelson, sec. 21, July 11, and 

Aug Hi. is.") i. 
Wm. s. Driggs, sec. 21, Dec. 2, 1852. 
John Difflin, sec 21, May (i. 1856. 
Sab-Go -che-wa-osa-Saga, sec. 21. Feb. 1, 

1851 

Pam-wa-rje-dung, sec. 21, March 1,1855 
Kab-be-wa-we-dung, sec. 21. March 1,- 

IS.",.", 

Me-sa-be, sec. 21. March 1. 1855 
Ah-ne-me-re-gun, sec. 21. .March 1, 1855 
F.& P. M. R. R, sec. 21. Dec. 1. 1862 
Ira A. Blossom, sec 22. Jan. lit, ls:;.i. 
Elijah D. Efner, sec. 22. Jan. 19, 1836 
Wm s. Stev ns. sec 22. July <>. 1836. 
Jas. Wadswonh, sec. 22, July 5, 1836. 
Chas.J McLean, sec. 22. May 20, 1836 
Ira A Blossom, sec. 2-', Dec. 16, is:!.".. 
Elijah D. Efner, sec. 22, Dec 16, 1835. 
Missionary Society M. B Church, sec. 

22, Nov. ::. 1848 

Geo. Bradley, sec 22, March 21, 1848. 
Mau-gue-to-guma, sec 22. Dec. 3, 1845. 
Ma-oo-e-be-vacy, sec 22, Dec 3, 1845 
Ira A Blossom, sec 2:!. Dec 16, 1835, 

and Jan. 19, 1836 
Elijah D. Efner, sec. 2:!. Dec. 16,18:15, 

and Jan. 19,1836. 
D Boughton, sec 24, May 20. 1836. 
John A WMles, sec. 24, May 20, 1886 
II <; Bubbard, sec. 21. May 20 1836. 
Levi Cooley, sec. 25, Nov. 11, is.",4 



D.Houghton, sec 25, May 20, 1836 
John A Welles, sec 25, Slav 20. 1836. 
H. G Bubbard, sec 25, May 20, 1836. 
Darius Diamond, sec. 25, Jan 9, 1855 
Bermon Camp, sec 25. Dec 8,1853. 
Ira A. Hlossom, sec.25, Dec 16, 1835. 
ElijahD. Efner, sec. 25, Dec. 16, 1835 
Ira A. Blossom, sec. 26. Dec. 16,1835, 

Jan 10. 1836 

Elijah I). Efner, sec 26, Dec. 16, 1835, 

and Jan. 10, 1836. 
Wm.S Stevens sec 27, July 6, 1886. 
Geo. Bradley, sec. 27, Aim- 21, 1847, 

and Sep't 28, 1848 
Nelson Smith, sec. 27, May 2, 1846, and 

Aug. 21, 1847 
Sarah Morse, sec. 27, May 23, 1853. 
Missionary Society M E. Church, ->■< 

27, Nov. :;, 1848, Jan. 5, 1854, and 
Feb 14, 1855. 

Andrew Wilson, sec. 27. May 12, and 

July 16, 1853. 
Ceo. Smith, sec. 28. Aug. 15, 1853, and 

March 1, 1855. 
Missionary Society M. E. Church, sec. 

28, Eel). 14, is.-,:,. 

Jas, P. Bayden, sic 28, Pec. 21, 1853, 

and Jan. 31 and June 6. 1855. 
A mini W. Wright, sec. 28. Oct 22, 1853 

and Nov. 3, 1854. 
Benj. F. Partridge, sec. 28. Nov. 29, 

1853. 
Lah-Gah-che-wa-osa, sec. -28, May 20, 

1856. 
Nah-wa-da-ge-zhick, sec. 28, May 20, 

isr.fi. 
An-ne-me-knah-ung, sec. 28, May 20, 

1856. 
Na-/he yah lung, sec 28, May 20, 1856. 
Ash-dah-ne-qua-by, sec. 2s, May 20, 

1856. 
Geo. N. Glover, sec. 28, June 8, 1864. 
Ilorton Warren, sec 29, Nov. 11, 1854. 
Benj. F. Partridge, sec 29, Nov. 29,1853 
David D Boss, sec 29, Jan 26, 1856. 
F. A: P. M R. R., sec 29, Dec. 1, 1862. 
David Ingersoll, sec. 30, Oct. 19, 1854. 
Jas. R Slausson, sec 30, May 18,1854. 
I). Houghton, sec 31, May 20, 1836. 
John A. Welles, sec. 31, May 20, 1836. 
II. G. Hubbard, sec 31, May 20,1836. 
Alex. Annis, sec. 32. Nov. 11, 1855 
Geo. W. Olover, sec. 32, Nov. 11, 185.",. 

D. Bousrhton, sec. 32. May 20, 1836. 
John A. Welles, sec. 32, May 20, 1836. 
II <;. Hubbard, sec 32, May 20, 183<>. 
Chris. Luke, sec 32, Dec. 10, 1863, and 

J urn' 21. 1SC4. 
David D. Bo>>, sec. 32, Feb. 1,1856. 
John Dill! in. sec. 32, Feb. 1,1856. 
Henry Shaft, sec. 32. April 14, 1865. 
Adna H. Gondii, sec. 32, Aug. 5, 186:! 
Robt. Slater, sec 32. April 13,1866. and 

Feb. 24. 1864. 

E. <L Goddard, 3ec 32. Nov. 4. 1863 



922 



HISTORY OF SAUINAW COUNTY. 



Anuni W. Wright, sec. 33, Nov. 2, and 
Nov. 17, 1853, and July 5 and Nov. 
8, 1855. 

John Ritchie, sec 33, June 12, 1844, 
Oct. 1,1852, and June 13, 1855. 

John Farquharson, sec . 33, Oct. 4, 1850 

Archibald Morse, see. 33, Aug. 4, 1848. 

F. &P. M. R.R., see. 33, Dec. 1, 1862. 

Wrn. S. Stevens, see. 34, July 6, 1886. 

Ira F. Payson, sec. 34, April !>, 1851. 

Thos. V. "Rogers, sec. 34, April 9, 1851. 

Jas. Ritchie, sec. 34, May 13, 1850. 

John Ritchie, sec. 34, May 24, 1850. 

Ira F. Payson, sec. 34, July 2, 1840. 

Jas. McFarlin,sec. 34, May 1,1856. 

David Dorward, sec. 34, Dec. (i, 1850. 

Jas. Dorward, sec. 34, Dec. 6, 1850. 

Thos. Stevenson, see. 35, Sept. 13, 1853 

Alex. D. Fraser, sec. 35, March 11,1830 



Alex. Me Arthur, see. 35, March, 11 r 

1836. 
C.Hurlbut, sec. 35, March 11, 1838. 
Jas. Davidson, sec. 35, March 11, 1836 
A. Ten Eyck, see. 35, March 11. 1836. 
Win. II. Craig, sec. 35, March 16, 1854 
Jas. Craig, sec. 35, Dec. 26, 1863, 
Herman Camp, sec. 35, Feb. 24, 1854 

and sec. 36, Dec. 8, 1853. 
Josiah Turner, sec. 36, Feb. 16, 1855. 
Philip Vanpatton, sec. 36, Nov.10, 1854 
TillnipS. Mastin, sec. 36, Jan. 22, 1855 
Alfred Coonrod, sec. 36, Jan. 22, 1855. 
Alex. McArthur, sec. 36, March 11, 

1836. 
Alex. D. Fraser, sec. 36, March 11,1836 
C. Hurlhut, sec. 36, March 11, 1836. 
Jas. Davidson, sec. 36, March 11, 1836- 
A. Ten Eyck, sec. 36, March 11, 1836. 



Many of those land-purchasers were speculators in the truest 
sense of the word. To the occupying proprietors, who made their 
homes in the midst of the dense forest, all the honor is due of 
clearing this portion of the wilderness, and . raising it to a high 
position among the townships of the county. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

In the following sketches many of the pioneers of Taymouth 
are noticed, and the story of their settlement related : 

Thomas Bailey, sixth son of Nathaniel and Salina (Hunter) Bai- 
ley, was born in Elzevir tp. , Hastings Co., Can., Sept. 13, 1853. He 
followed lumbering until 18 years of age, when he learned the 
blacksmith's trade and has worked at it ever since. He came to 
Taymouth tp. in July, 1879, and built a blacksmith shop on sec. 
27, opposite the flouring mill. He was married in Drumniond tp., 
Lanark Co.. Can., Dec' 31, 1876, to Mary E., daughter of James 
and Margaret (Craig) Robinson, born Jan. 8, 1856. They have 3 
children — John N., born in Lanark Co, Can., Nov. 12, 1876; 
James H., born April 5, 1878, and Thomas E., born Aug. 8, 1880. 
In politics Mr. Bailey is a Democrat, and himself and wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 

W. Z.Baker, first son of William and Louisa (London) Baker, 
was born Oct. 16, 1819, and is of English ancestry. At the age of 
12 he started to draw merchandise from Auburn to Weedsport. 
Cayuga Co., N. Y., and was engaged at this until 20 years of age. 
He then worked on alarm in the same county for Nathan tl. Say re 
six years. He was married at Victory, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Dec. 13, 
1818, to Caroline E. Eider, born at Victory, Jan. 14, 1827; 7 
children have been given them, 4 living, — Dency E., born at Han- 
nibal, Oswego Co., N. Y., Oct. 20, 1851, William J., born at Han- 
nibal, June 7, 1853; Judson H., born at Victory, Julv 25, 1855; 
Carrie L., born at Pt. Byron, same county, Dec. 26, 1857; Joseph 
R, born at Murray, Orleans Co., July 1, 1860; George L., born at 



TAYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 923 

South Saginaw, Oct. 28, 1866, and Oscar J., born at South Saginaw, 
Jan. 14, 186'.*. Mr. Baker went to Deerlield, Livingston Co., 
Mich., in October, 1861, but was unable to do anything for three years 
on account of a lame leg. He then removed to South Saginaw, 
and engaged in running an engine in Flagler & York's salt works 
three years. He was subsequently employed in Swift & Lock- 
wood's saw-mill for seven years. In the fall of 1875, he came to 
Taymonth tp., and purchased 85 acres of land on sec. 32. Mr. Baker 
is a Republican in politics, and has served his to. as School Direc- 
tor two years. 

Herbert Barrett, Hrst son of Philip and Dolly (Elmer) Barrett, 
was born at Hinsdale, Cheshire Co., N. II., March 0, 1846. In the 
fall of 1866. he came to East Saginaw and teamed it for five years, 
and was subsequently engaged in the milk business for 1<> years. 
In 1880 he came to Taymonth tp., and purchased 106 acres of land 
on sec. 22. He was married at Hinsdale, 1ST. EC, March 29. 1870, 
to Mary A. Barrett, daughter of Otis and Laura S. (Powers) Bar- 
rett, born at Hinsdale, Cheshire Co., N. H., March 2, 1845. They 
have 6 children — Maud, born Jan. 21, 1871; Dolly G., Sept. 16, 
L873; Jesse, born in East Saginaw, May 8, 1875; Philip C, born 
June 1, 1877; Olive M.. born July 8, 1879; Nellie B.. born in 
Taymonth tp., March 8, 1881. In politics Mr. B. is Republican, 
and also a member of the Freemasons Lodge, No. 303, Ancient 
Landmark F. & A. M. 

Perley F. Becker, 3d son of Joseph II. and Catherine A. (Defoe) 
Becker, was born at Deerfield, Niagara Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 1848. 
He attended school until 17 years of age at Gassport, Niagara Co., 
and Bridgeport, Saginaw Co., and then engaged in brick-making 
nine years. When quite young his parents moved to Bridgeport, 
and to Taymonth in 1855. In the spring of 1866 Perley purchased 
•In acres of land on sec. 1% He subsequently purchased 8<> acres 
adjoining. In the fall of 1875 he sold 40 acres and now owns 80 
acres. lie was married in Bridgeport, June 23, 1872, to Ella H. 
Tupper, daughter of Aleck •Tupper, D. D., born at Clarkston, 
Oakland Co., Mich., Nov. 28, 1853. They have 4 children- 
Arthur O., born in Bridgeport, May 14, 1873. The remaining 
3 were born in Taymonth tp., — -Carrie L., born Jan. 19, 1875; 
JosieE., born April 8, 1877, and Samuel, born Nov. 23, 1879. In 
politics Mr. Becker is a Republican, and has been To. Commis- 
sioner two years. 

Joel Blair, jr., second son of Joel, sr. . and Fanny (Henry) 
Blair, was born in Niagara Co., N". Y.. Oct. 3, 1837. His father 
was born in Pennsylvania in 1805, of Irish ancestry. His mother 
was born at Dublin, Ireland, in 1805. He was engaged at fanning 
until l.~> years of age and has since been engaged in the pineries 27 
years, 25 years of. which he has been foreman. He rafted from Port 
Huron to Detroit 12 years. lie came with his parents to St. Clair 
Co., Mich., in the fall of 1817. lie was married at Port Huron, 
St. Clair Co., Mich., Aug. 14, 1862, to Rosa J., daughter of Newton 



!ll>4 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

and Sarah A. (Smith) Carpenter, born at Port Huron, Match 20, 
lb44. They have 2 children — Nellie J,, born at Wales, St. Clair 
Co., Mich., Mar. 5, 1865, and Estella S., born at Saginaw City, 
Jan. 14, 1870. Mr. Blair came to Taymouth tp. in the spring of 
1874, and in June of 1876 he purchased 80 acres of land on sec. 
22, moving there in 1879. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. 
Blair belongs to the Masonic order, Saginaw Valley Lodge, No. 154, 
and Joppa Chapter No. 63, R. A. M. 

William IT. Bronson, farmer, sec. 12, was born in Pennsylva- 
nia in 1847. His parents, Levi and Huldah (Hayden) Bronson, 
natives of Connecticut, of English descent, reside with William H. 
on the farm. He was educated in the public schools of East Sagi- 
naw, and at the age of 15 years entered the Saginaw postoffice as 
clerk and afterward in Little's bank, and then in a store in 
N. Y. city as clerk, remaining as such for six years. Mr. Bronson 
owns 160 acres of land, is Republican in politics, and has been 
financially successful in life. He has been School Superintendent 
and Tp. Assessor, and in 1SS<> was U. S. census-taker. In 1868 
he married Emma Newkirk, a native of New Jersey. Her father 
was High Sheriff of Herkimer Co., N., Y. for 14 years. They 
have 5 children, 3 daughters and 2 sons. 

Thomas Cuthbertson, second son of Hugh and Jane (Wallace) 
Cuthbertson, was born at West Bloomfield, Oakland Co., Mich., 
April 17, 1833. His father was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, 
Scotland, Dec, 179!.). His mother was born in Kilmarnock, in 1810- 
At the age of 15, he came to Bay City, Mich., and engaged in driv. 
ing team for James Frazer. He also engaged as a sawyer 10 years. 
In the fall of 1860 he went to New Orleans, and to avoid being 
pressed into the Southern army he sailed to England in December 
of that year. The following April, he returned to New York, and 
at Troy, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., April 1H 1861, re-enlisted in Co. 
A, 2d "Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., nnder Captain William Armitage, and 
served 25 months in the army of the Potomac. He was finally 
wounded and sent to Potomac Creek hospital, and was mustered out 
May 21, 1863. He then returned to Bay City and re-enlisted Jan. 
1, 1864, in Co. D, First Mich. Cav., under Capt. Lusk. He was 
on detached service 17 months, and was discharged June 9, 1865. 
He then came to Taymouth, and purchased a house and one acre of 
land, and a life lease on four acres, situated on sec. 22. He was 
married at Bay City, Dec. 27, 1852, to Mrs. Alice Buckley, daugh- 
ter of George Edgly. Mr. C. has been married three times, the 
second time in Calhoun Co., Mich., in 1855, to Hannorah Quinlan. 
They had 3 children, 2 of whom are still living— Edward James, 
born at Bay City, Oct. 1, 1856, and Ellen J., born at Bay City in 
1858. He was married the third time in 1875 to Jane Raney, who 
was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1819. In politics Mr. C. is a 
Republican. 

James Dorward,jr., son of James, sr., and Mary (Reaich) Dor- 
ward, was born in' Forfarshire, Scotland, Oct. 14, 1826. His 



TAYMOUTfl TOWN8HIP. 925 

parents were born in 1801. His first occupation was shoe making, 

at which he was engaged 10 years. He came to the United States 
in the spring of 1846, and the following winter himself and brother 
purchased 8<> acres of land opposite Bay City, which they cleared of 
stave timber and sold the land the following spring. In the fall of 
1847 Jthey came to Tay mouth tp.and purchased 60 acres of land 
on the Flint river, from which they cleared the pine timber. They 
were engaged in lumbering for a number of years in Taymouth, 
Montrose and other tps., and finally Mr. D. settled in Tay- 
mouth tp. in the spring of 1864, purchasing 108 acres of land on 
sec. 8. lie was married in Montrose tp., Genesee Co., Mich., Oct. 21, 
1866, Margaret, daughter of William and Euphemia(Dean) Logan, 
born in Canada, Aug. 17, 1845. They have 4 children, all born 
in Taymouth tp. — Mary E., born Sept. 11, 1868; William J., born 
May 1, 1870, Charles A., born July 7, 1874; Eunice M., born Jan. 
13, 1881. In politics Mr. D. is a Democrat, and himself and wife 
are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

Scott M. Harwell, third son of Hiram and Margaret (Skinner) 
Farwell. was born in Fulton Co., Ohio, Sept. 2, 1848. His father 
was born Aug. 25, 1808, in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., of Irish ancestry 
His mother was born May 25, 1800, of AVelsh ancestry. He was 
raised on a farm until 18 years of age, when he engaged in a woolen 
factory live years, four years of which he was boss weaver. He 
then engaged in a foundry six months as molder and turner, and 
subsequently went into a cabinet shop, where he remained two 
years. He came to Taymouth tp. in January, 1876, and purchased 40 
acres of land on sec. 29. He also has three-fourths of an acre on 
sec. 38, on which he has a house and cabinet shop, in which he is 
engaged, and has all the business himself and one man can do. He 
was married at Hudson, Lenawee Co., Mich., July 3, 1871, 
to Mary, daughter of William and Sarnantha (Chase) Coulson, 
born at Seneca, Lenawee Co., Mich., Oct. ( 1, 1S52. They have 
had 3 children, 2 living — John C, born at Seneca, Lenawee 
Co., Aug, 7,1874, and MaryE., born in Taymouth tp., Nov. 25, 
1878; Maggie was born at Seneca, Nov. 5, 1872, and died Sept. 2, 
1873. In politics Mr. Farwell is a Republican. 

Henry Fawcett, eldest son of James and Esther (Robinson) 
Fawcett, was born in County Sligo, Ireland, Dec. 12, 1831. His 
father and mother were born in Ireland in 1797. In August, 1852, 
he came to America with his parents and settled at Cohoes, N. A . 
He came to Taymouth tp. thre° years later, and purchased 103 
acres of land, 63 of which are situated on sec. 16, the remainder on 
sec. !), adjoining. He now has 7<> acres under cultivation. He 
was married in Taymouth, July 17, 1865, to Elizabeth, daughter 
of William and Margaret (Farr) Moore, born Jan. 29, 1S48. Four 
children have been sent to them, 3 of whom are living, and all born 
in Taymouth tp. — Margaret, born Aug. 23, 1875; Henry, born 
July 5, 1877, and John," born Jan 27. 1881; William J. was born 
March 21, 1867 and died May 5, 1867. Mrs. Fawcett died Jan. 
2s. 1881. In politics Mr. Fawcett is a Democrat. 



926 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Gardner W. floater, first son of Nathaniel and Mary (Moore) 
Foster, was born on the banks of the Tittabawassee river, three 
miles from Saginaw City, on what is called the "Vogt farm," 
March 7, 1831. He is considered by many to be the first white 
child born in Saginaw county. When five years of age, his 
father, a carpenter and joiner, and also a millwright, moved into 
Saginaw City, and worked at his trade five years, then removed 
to Bridgeport, and purchased 100 acres of land on sec. 21, one 
mile from where the present town of Bridgeport is situated. When 
20 years of age, Gardner left the farm, and went on the lake s 
as a seaman four summers, and worked in the pineries during the 
winters. He then returned home and bought the homestead, 
which had in the meantime been increased to 115 acres. He also 
bought 80 acres adjoining, where he resided two years, and was 
married July 15, 1855, to Martha C, daughter of Stephen and 
Abbey (Sheldon) Lytle, born at Madrid, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., 
Sept. 20, 1837! They have 7 children— Charles G., born in 
Bridgeport, Mar. 3, 1859, the remaining six being born in Tav- 
mouth tp. — Edward L., born June 2, 1863, Katie A., born Dec. 
26, 1866; Ella-E., born Mar. 23, 1869; Guv F., bornMay 26, 1871; 
Hattie M., born Sept. 14, 1873, and Jesse G., born Aiig. 2, 1876. 
Mr. Foster is a member of Masonic Order, Lodge No. 55, of Bridge- 
port. He came to Taymouth tp. in the summer of 1861, and 
himself and Lorenzo Hodgeman purchased 231 acres of land on 
sec. 6, of which he still owns 100 acres. He also purchased 171 
acres adjoining, and 20 acres on sec. 21, Albee tp. He has 160 
acres under cultivation. His farm is situated on the Flint river. 

Charles T. Qarries, son of William and Julia A. (Schoville) Gar- 
ries, was born at Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1812, and is 
of German and French ancestry. When three years of age, his 
parents moved to Macomb Co., Mich., nearMt. Clemens, and pur- 
chased a farm on which they resided four years. They then re- 
moved to St. Clair county, where Charles was married Nov. 1, 
1862, to Sarah A., daughter of Henry and Ann (Rattle) Glasier, 
who was born in Ireland, Oct. 11, 1814. Of their 7 children 6 
are living — William H., born at Lexington, Sanilac Co., Mich., 
Aug. 19, 1863; George E., born at St. Charles, Saginaw Co., Mich., 
Mar. 25, 1867; John H., born in Taymouth tp., Nov. 28, 1869; 
Rose A., born in St. Charles, Mar. 25, 1872; Mary E., born in St. 
Charles, May 3, 1874; and Arthur H., born at Montrose, Genesee 
Co., Mich., Feb. 3, 1881. Hattie C. was born in Montrose tp. 
Genesee Co., Mich., Oct. 27, 1879, and died Oct. 28 1880. In 
politics Mr. Games is a Democrat, and himself and wife are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. 

Lemuel Hall, fifth son of Hubbard and Lettis (Patridge) Hall, 
was born in Scoharie Co., N. Y., Mar. 11, 1834, of English and 
Spanish ancestry. He came to Oakland Co., Mich., when two 
years of age, where he remained until 21 years of age, when he 
went to Port Austin, on Lake Huron, and engaged in lumbering 
and working in saw-mills until July, 1873, when he removed to 



lAVMorrn township. 927 

Taymouth tp., and purchased one acre of land on sec. 33, and en- 

gaged in the hotel business four years. In lsSO he purchased 
so acres on sec. 23 Montrose tp., Genesee Co., and 2<> acres in 
Taymouth tp., on sec. 21. He was married at Caseville, Huron 
Co", Mich.. Dec. LO, L867, to Melissa, daughter of William and 
Jane (Deforest) Weir, born in Canada, ana died. Nov. 5, 1868 
Mr. Hall lias been married twice, the second time at East Sagi- 
naw. .Inly LO, l s 7-">. to Fredrica Stephens, born in Switzerland, 
Nov. 26, L833. In the spring of L873, lie Opened a general store, 
and carries on a thriving business. 

Andrew Haynes, second son of Yan "Rensselaer and Roxy A. 
(Keyes) Ilaynes, was born at Brighton, Out., June 4, 183(5, of Ger- 
man ancestry. He was married Mar. 31, 1858, at Brighton, Can., 
to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Catherine Masters, born July 
6, 1841. Of their 5 children 2 are living, both at Brighton, Can., 
— William R., born Dec. 24, 1859, and George, born May 20, 1861. 
Mr. Ilaynes came to Taymouth tp. in the fall of 1876, and bought 
80 acres of land on sec. 12. In politics he is a Republican. His 
wife is a member of the Methodist Church. 

William Henry, third son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Boyd) 
Henry ,\vas born in County Antrim, Ireland, Aug. 12, 1852. He came 
to Canada in 1872, with his brother Francis, and settled at Ottawa, 
where he remained until the fall of 1875, when he came to East 
Saginaw, and engaged in loading and unloading vessels. In 1874 
he came to Taymouth tp., and himself and brother bought 80 acres 
of land on sec. 32, which they are speedily converting into a fertile 
and productive farm. His mother is living with him and keeping 
house for him. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her 
husband died in County Antrim, Ireland. He was the son of Alex- 
ander Ilenrj 7 , a Presbyterian minister. The grandfather of Alex- 
ander Henry on the mother's side was also a Presbyterian minister. 

Ernst Herjpet, son of Philip and Julianna (Coch) Herpel, was 
born in Prussia. Jan. 10, 1827. His father was born in Prussia in 
1802, and died in April, 1850. His mother was born in 1804. His 
father was engaged in the treasury department in the pity of Ems, 
with a country residence two miles from the city. Ernst attended 
school in the city of Ems eight years, until he arrived at the age of 
14, when he went as an apprentice to learn the upholstering trade, 
at which he was engaged seven years. He then entered the Prus- 
sian army as a Yagar, or sharpshooter, and rose to be First Lieu- 
tenant. He was wounded in both hands in war with Denmark. 
In the fall of 1857 he came to the United States, and resided in 
New York city three months, then came West and settled be- 
tween Concord and Spring Arbor, Jackson Co., Mich., where 
he remained eight years. He then removed to East Saginaw and 
engaged in the upholstering business several years, and came to 
Taymouth tp. in the fall of 1868, and purchasing 180 acres of land 
on sec. 7, also 180 on sec. 1, Albee tp. He. was married Dec. 1, 
1852, to Kathrina. daughter of Philip and Barbara Miller .born in 



928 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Lima, Baden, Oct. 22, 1826. They have no children of their own, 
but adopted a boy named John when quite small, who now resides in 
Albec tp. He was born in 1856. Mr. Herpel and wife are members 
of the Reformed Church, and lie is a Republican. He is also a 
Knight Templar Mason, and attended the famous conclave at Chi- 
cago; 111., 1880. 

James Kerr, fourth son of Martin and Rosina (Gracy) Kerr, was 
born in Ayrshire, Scotland, May 16, 1851. In the fall of 1870 he 
went to London, Ont., Canada, and remained one year. He then 
removed to Michigan, and settled in Tay mouth tp., where he 
purchased 70 acres ofland on sec. 26. He was married Dec. 20, 
L875, to Maggie, daughter of William and Agnes Reid, born April 
9, 1860. They have 3 children — Wiliiain R., born Jan. 1, 1877; 
Agnes M., born Oct. 9, 1878, and Rosana G., born Aug. 6, 1880. 
In politics Mr. K. is a Democrat, and himself and wife are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

Andrew Leach, son of David and Ann (Durham) Leach, was 
born and reared on a farm in Wigtonshire, Scotland. He was 
married April 29, 1840, to Margaret, daughter of Joseph and 
Agnes (JNesbit) Logan, who was born March 7, 1817. They had 
4 children born in Scotland — James, born Sept. 11, 1811; David, 
born Aug. 22, 1843, and died in Taymouth tp., April 8, 1864; 
Andrew, born March 8, 1845; Jane I)., born May 10, 1847, and 
died July 28, 1854. He came to America in the fall of 1848, and 
settled in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., where their 5th child, Agnes, 
was born Oct. 31, 1849. After a residence of 18 months he re- 
moved to Detroit, Mich., in the spring of 1850. While there 
they had 3 children born — John, born Aug. 22, 1851, and died 
Sept. 26, 1852; Mary, born Feb. 22, 1853, and Margaret, born 
Oct. 1»>, 1854, who died. In the spring of 1856, he removed to- 
sec. 30, Albee tp., which then formed a portion of Taymouth tp.. 
and purchased 240 acres of land. He was the third settler in 
Albee tp. In the spring of 1862 he came to Taymouth tp. and 
bought 168 acres of land on sec. 8. Since coming to Taymouth 
tp. they have had 6 children born — Margaret and Joseph, born 
( )ct. lo, 1854 (the latter died when an infant); Jane D., born Aug. 
1, 1858; Joseph and John, burn May 10, 1861. One child was 
still-born. In politics Mr. Leach is a Republican. He has been 
.Justice of the Peace four years, Tp. Treasurer one year, and High- 
way Commissioner one year. Mr. Leach and wife are members 
<>f the Presbyterian Church. 

James Leat -h, eldest son of Andrew and Margaret (Logan) Leach, 
was born at Wigtonshire, Scotland, Sept. 14, 1842. His parents 
were born at the same place, father Sept. 9, 1819, and mother 
March 8, 1821. He came to America with his parents in July, 
1847. and settled near Troy, X. Y. They removed to Detroit, 
Mich., in January, 1850. After a residence of six years he came 
to Taymouth tp. in April, 1856, with his parents, and settled on 
sec. 8. He was married Sept. 17, 1866, to Elizabeth, daughter of 



TAYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. . 929 

George and Mary Catherine (Reel) Foltz, born May 8, 1850. 
They have 5 children — David, horn Dec. .*>. L867; George F.. born 
April 23, L869; Margaret, born An--, 4, L871; -lane born July 22, 
L873; and Andrew, born Feb. 26, 1881. In the Bpring of 1868 
Mr. L. bought 80 acres of land, 50 on sec. 22 and 25 acres on Bee. 
21, 30 of which are improved. At presenl he is Tp. Clerk, and 
has held that office for eight years, also Highway Commissioner 
five years, and School Director 12 years. lie is a Republican. 

William Mb Gregor was born in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, 
May L9, L839. His lather, Archibald McGregor, was horn in Nov- 
ember, 1790. His mother, Agnes (Patterson) McGregor, was born 
Aug. 2. L792. William attended school until he arrived at the 
age of IT, when he came to America and settled in Detroit, Mich. 
Pie went to work on ;l farm, and in the fall of 1857 purchased 80 
acres of land on sec. 35, this tp., but did not move here until the 
spring of 1866. At Saginaw City, Aug. 13, 1862, he enlisted in 
Co. E, 23d Keg. Mich.Tol. Inf., under Capt Henry C. Neville, 
who died before the regiment left the city. He served three years 
in tin- army of the Cumberland under Gen. Sherman, and was 
discharged at Detroit, July 27, 1805. He then came to Taymouth 
tp. He was married at Flushing, Genesee Co., Mich., Dec. .">, 
L865, to [sabelle, daughter of Alexander and Margery (McDonald i 
Miller. Mrs. Mc Gregor was born at Rochester, X. Y., July 28, 
1841. They have 5 children, all natives of Taymouth tp.— Alex- 
ander, born Oct. 13, 1866; William P., horn Aug. 6, 1868; 
Margery, horn April 2, 1870; James, born Jan. 10, 1s7l>, and 
Archibald, born Feb. 17, L875. Mr. McGregor was Township Com- 
missioner six years, and Treasurer four years. In politics he is a 
Democrat and also a member of I. 0. 0. F. and P. of H. societies. 
John M~<//o?ie, first son of Owen and Ann ( Eagles) Malone, was 
born at Williamsport, Pa., May 3, 1811. His parents removed to 
Big Muncy, Pa., where he remained until 19 years of age, when 
he came to Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1833 and engaged 
with Gen. Brown, who then ran a stage between Detroit and 
Chicago. He came to Taymouth in the fall of 1836, and bought 
52 acres of land on sec. 6, since which time he has purchased 61 acres 
adjoining. Mi-. Malone is the oldest living settler on the Flint 
river, in Taymouth tp. When he first came to Taymouth provis- 
ions were so scarce and far away it was difficult to procure 
them; the only meat himself and family had for several years was 
venison. Mr. Malone was married at Saginaw City, Aug. 21, 
fl.836, to Ann. daughter of James and Ellen (Garrett) McCormick, 
born near Albany, N. Y., ii]XlS39#.cThey have 7 children, all of 
whom were born in Taymouth tp. — Julia, born Julv 24, 1838; 
Louisa, born Sept. 2, L840; Ellen, born Nov. 22, 1842; Andrew, 
born April 28, 1857; Charles, born July 4, 1859; Archibald 
born Aug. 16, 1861, and John, born March 10, 1866. Mr. Malone 
is a prominent farmer, and has taken quite an interest in the wel- 
fare of thetp. He lias been Tp. Treasurer five or six years. Com- 

56 



930 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTT. 

missioner and Justice of the Peace several rears. In politics he 
is Democratic. 

Hewry McFarland, son of James and Ann < Steward ) Mc Far- 
land, was born in Perthshire. Scotland, April 12, 1833. His father 

is a native of Inverness. Scotland. At the age of 23, Henry 
came to America and settled in Taymouth tp., resided here two 
years, and then removed to Hamilton, Canada West, where lie 
remained four years. He then located at Saginaw City, and 
engaged in lumbering. He went to Montrose, Genesee Co., Mich., 
in the spring of 1871, and purchased 04 acres of land on sec. 3, 45 
of which are under cultivation. He was married Oct. 5, 1871, to 
Eliza, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Foley) McNally. His 
wife belongs to the Church of England. He has been extensively 
engaged in lumbering for 14 j^ears. 

Francis W. McN alley, son of Francis and Eliza (Waterson) 
McN alley, was born in Downshire, Ireland, May 4, 1S3S. His 
father was born on the day the battle of Waterloo was fought, and 
died Aug. 25, 1880. He attended school until 12 years of 
age; then went into his father's shop and engaged in making 
horse-shoe nails. He came to this country when six years of age, 
with his mother; his father came over the year previous. They 
settled at Cincinnati, O., where he resided until April 18,1861, 
when he enlisted in Co. C, 5th Eeg. O. Vol. Inf., under Captain 
Henry E. Symes. and served as private one year, then was pro- 
moted to hospital steward, which position he filled for several 
months, and was subsequently sent to "Washington with Gen. 
Shield's wounded. He was then appointed as steward in the reg- 
ular army, and continued in that capacity until July 22, 1865, when 
he was discharged, having served four years and three months. He 
returned to Hamilton Co., O., and engaged in farming. In the 
winter ol 1866, he came to Taymouth tp., and purchased 240 acres 
of land on sec. 23, which he afterward sold; in 1867 he built a 
house and started a store on sec. 17, and carried on quite an exten- 
sive business for several years. He now owns a good farm of 
165 13-10* » acres on sec. 17, where he resides. He was married 
near North Bend, O., Oct. 25,1865, to Harriet, daughter of Josiah 
P. and Harriet X. (Plu miner) Hunt, born Jan. 25, 1841. They 
have 7 children, born in Taymouth tp.— John, born Nov. 15, 1866; 
Francis W.. born Nov. 10, 1868; Josiah P., born Aug. 23, 1870; 
Matthew, born Mar. 29, 1873; Mary J., born Nov. S, 1875, and Har- 
riet E., born Sept. 11, 1877. Mr. McNallev has been Supervisor 
three terms successively, Postmaster seven years, Justice of the 
Peace nearly eight years, besides filling various other offices. Tn 
politics he is Republican. 

David McNalley, second son of Francis and Elizabeth (Water- 
son i McNal ley, was born in Cincinnati, O., Oct. 3, 1S44. He 
attended school until 14 years of age, and then went to work in 
his father's shop making horse-shoe nails until 20 years of age. 
On Feb. 14, 1865, he enlisted in Co. F, 5th Ohio Vol. Inf., 20th 



TAYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 931 

Army Corps, under Sherman. He was discharged Aug. 4, 1865, 
and returned to the home of his parents who had moved 16 miles 
from Cincinnati in the country. In the fall of 1866 he came 
to Taymonth tp. with his parents, where they purchased 165 acres 
of land on the Flint river, known as the '"old Hayden farm," the 
oldest farm inthetp. His father died Aug. 25,1880. He was mar- 
ried in Taymonth tp., Mar. 20,1872. to Mary E. Difrin, daughter 
of John and Helen (Ross) Difrin, born in Tay mouth Dec. 22,1 855. 
They have 5 children, born in Taymonth tp., — Elizabeth, born July 
23, 1873; David, born Dec. 27, 1874; Francis L.,born Dec. 11, 1S76; 
John, born June 25, 1870; and Helen, born Mar. 14, 1881. Mr. 
McN. has been Tp. Clerk one year, Justice four years, School Di- 
rector six years, and School Inspector two years. He is at present 
Tp. Treasurer, and also Secretary of the Flint River Valley Agri- 
cultural Society. In politics he is Republican. Mr. McNalley 
was a member of the Cincinnati Home Guards at the time Kirby 
Smith and Gen. Bragg made their raid. The Home Guards from 
Cincinnati crossed the river and held the enemy in check until 
they finally retreated. 

Frank McNally, fifth son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Foley) 
McXally, was born in County Down, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1847, 
and came with his parents to America in 1855. His first occu- 
pation was in the pineries, where he went when 15 years of 
age, and remained until 30 years of age, chiefly in the Saginaw 
Valley. In the spring of 1857 he came with his parents to Tay- 
month tp., and settled on sec. 33. He now owns 45 acres of land 
on sec. 27, also 75 acres in Montrose tp., Genesee Co., 75 of 
which are now under cultivation. He was married in Richland 
Co.. ( ).. Feb. 28, 1878, to Louisa, daughter of Ferdinand and Mar- 
garet (Zechmeister) Brncker. born in Bridgeport tp., Saginaw 
Co., Oct. 30, 1856. They had 1 child— William H., born in 
Taymonth tp., Jan. 27, 1879, and died April 8, 1881. Mr. M. 
• has been Tp. Treasurer two years, and is a member of the P. of H. 
In politics he is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Epis- 
copal Church. 

James W. Jlorse, son of Nathaniel and Sarah A. (Dodge) Morse, 
was born at Massena, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1837. His 
father was born at Sullivan, Cheshire Co., N. H., Feb. 25, 1814, of 
English ancestry. His mother was born Aug. 18, 1820, at Dun- 
nispatten, Can. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of 19, 
engaged in lumbering on the Flint river. He came to Taymouth 
tp. in the fall of 1850, with his parents, since which time his father 
died, and his mother, who is still living on sec. 27, is one of the 
earliest settlers in the county. Mr. Morse now owns 200 acres of 
land in Taymonth tp., part of which is on sec. 27, the remainder on 
sec. 22; also 160 acres in Montrose, Genesee Co., of which about 
90 acres are under cultivation. Mr. Morse was married at Mont- 
rose, Genesee Co., Mich., July 25, 1858, to Sarah A., daughter of 
Reuben and Melissa Christopher, who was born Sept. 9, 1844. Of 



932 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

their 2 children, 1 is living, Reuben H., born Aug. 28, w 1861; Ed- 
ward A. was born July 8, 1857, and died in December, 1873. Mrs. 
Morse died December, 1862, and he was again married at Montrose, 
Genesee Co., Mar. 19, 1863, to Zilpha T., daughter of Lyman 
S. and Zilpha Kibby, who was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Oct. 
16, 1845. They have 2 children, — Sarah A., born at Blumfield, 
Saginaw Co., Mich., Nov. 4, 1864, and Zilpha M., born in Tay- 
mouth tp., Mar. 31, 1880. Mr. Morse is a Greenbacker and a 
member of the Patrons of Husbandry Lodge, No. 326, in Taymouth 
tp. He has been Justice of the Peace seven years, and Drain 
Commissioner six years. Mr. Morse was the Greenback candidate 
for Representative in the State Legislature, in the tall of 1878. He 
is an enterprising man, and has 27 acres of his land laid out in 
town lots, on which is situated his own house and barns, a flouring 
mill, a general store, blacksmith shop, dwelling-house, also a new 
saw-mill, which was completed in July, 1881.. 

Henry Munson, son of Daniel and Fanny (Tolse) Munson, was 
born at Franklin, Delaware Co., N. Y., June 16, 1818, and is of 
Irish ancestry. His father owned a blacksmith shop, and in this 
he worked winters, and learned the trade. He left home when 18 
years of age, and went to Ft. Defiance, O., and engaged in boat- 
ing and working on a farm for two years. He then removed to 
Saginaw City, and remained two years, when he came to Tay- 
mouth tp. in the fall of 1861, and purchased 80 acres of land 
on sec. 5. He now owns 87 acres. He was married in Bridge- 
port, June 1, 1839, to Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary 
Foster, born May 7, 1820. Of their 11 children, 9 are living — 
Mary E., born at Richfield, Lapeer Co., Mich, July 30, 1841; 
Frances J., born in Bridgeport, Aug. 7, 1845; Gardner N., born in 
Bridgeport, July 26, 1847; Thomas B., born in Bridgeport, July, 
27, 1849; Sarah E., born Nov. 17, 1851; Alice A., born Dec. 11, 
1853; Charles H., born Jan. 27, 1855; Henrietta E., born Feb. 8, 
1858, and Orin, born Aug. 7, 1861. James H. was born Feb. 29, 
1840, died March 10, 1881, and Ransom W. was born Sept. 7, 1843, 
and died April 17, 1853. In politics Mr. Munson is a Democrat. 

John Owens, son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Burke) Owens, was 
born in Genesee, Potter Co., Pa., May 13, 1843. When eight 
years of age, lie removed to Allegany Co., N. Y. He was married 
in Livingston Co., N. Y., June 6, 1865, to Ann, daughter of 
James and Catherine (Calaher) Ryan, who was born July 27, 1844. 
Of their 8 children, 7 are living, 5 born in Saginaw City 
and 3 in Taymouth tp. — James, born Feb. 6, 1866; Elizabeth, 
born April 28, 1867; Bernard, born Mar. 6, 1869: Mary, born 
Aug. 23, 1872; William, born May 10, 1874; Kate, born Dec. 25, 
1875, and Ellen, born May 27, 1878. John was born Dec. 29, 
1871, and died June 6, 1879. Mr. Owens came to Saginaw City in 
the fall of 1865, and after a residence of eight years removed to 
Taymouth tp. and purchased 40 acres of land in sec. 1. In politics 
he is a Democrat. All the family are members of the Catholic 
Church. 



TAYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 933 

Elijah Pdcher is the eldest son of Albert Pelclier, and was born 
in Taymouth tp. in 1833. By occupation he is a farmer. He owns 
20 acres of land — 10 acres situated on sec, 28, and 10 on sec. 21. 
He was married in Taymouth tp. to Jane Hickey, daughter of 
Daniel Hickey. They have 6 children — Jonas, Moses, Simon, 
Susan, Peter and George. Mr. and Mrs. Pelcher are both mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.. Mr. Pelcher is a 
descendant of the original owners of the soil; he is of Indian and 
French descent, and is the chief of the band of Chippewa Indians 
that are located in Taymouth tp. His Indian name is " Won-ke- 
sick,' 1 and his wife's ''Swa-che-wan-no-qua. " 

1L n i'ij 0. JPrice, fourth son of Henry and Parmelia (Jefferds) 
Price, was born in Macomb Co., Mich., April 7, 1832. He was 
raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools of Macomb 
and Lapeer counties. He was married May 11, 1856, to Sarah, 
daughter of George W. and Mary J. (Miller) Ellison, born April 
26, 1838. They have had 9 children, 8 still living, 2 
born in Lapeer Co., Mich., 1 in Oakland Co., Mich., and 4 
in this county — Charles H., born Mar. 7, 1857; Lucelia J., born 
Aug. 23, 1858; Pliny O., born Feb. 7, 1860; Pearl A., born Sept. 
22, 1862; Frank Y., born May 29, 1865; Mary H., born Mar. 25, 
1870; Estella A., born May 29, 1871, and Jennie E., born Aug. 9, 
1878. Kenneth E. was born in Taymouth tp., April 27, 1874, and 
died July 27, 1876. Mr. Price came to Taymouth tp. in 1863, and 
bought 95 acres of land on sec. 13, two-thirds of which are under 
cultivation. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Price is a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church. 

John Raasch, first son of Frank and Catherine (Craig) Raasch, 
was born in Prussia, Sept. 8, 1834. In the fall of 1867 he came to 
the United States, and settled in Allegheny Co., Pa., where he 
remained four months, then removed to Chicago, where he resided 
three years. He then located near Detroit, Mich., where he re- 
mained a short time, and finally settled in Taymouth tp., in the 
fall of is 73. He was married in Bridgeport tp., Saginaw Co., to 
Mrs. Rosanna Difnn, daughter of John aud Mary Mesner, born in 
Wurtemberg, Ger., April 29, 1839. She had 4 children by her first 
husband, all natives of Taymouth to. — John E., born Sept. 19, 
1862: Joseph B., born Sent'. 27, 1866;Mary, born March 15, 1870, 
and Rosa, born Oct. 20, 1874. 

John Raasch and his wife reside on sec. 21, where Mrs. Raasch 
owns 92 acres of land. 

William Reid, jr., third son of William, sr., and Margaret 
(Eddy) Reid, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in September, 
1813. He was born and raised on a farm, and at the age of 10 
years began life for himself. He worked for farmers a few years, 
and then went on the railroad and learned to be an engineer. He 
was engaged at this for 25 or 30 years; he ran the first engine on 
the west end of the Great Western R. R. He came to the United 
States in the spring of 1851, and to Taymouth tp. in the spring of 
1856. He bought 320 acres of land on sec. 26, and now owns 110 



934 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

acres, 50 of which are under cultivation. He was married in Detroit, 
April 5, 1857, to Mrs. Agnes McLachlan, daughter of Archibald 
and Agnes (Patterson) McGregor, and born Dec. 31, 1822, and a 
descendant of the ancient family of McGregors and Campbells. 
They have 3 children, all born in Tay mouth tp. — -John, born Mar. 
27, 1858; Maggie E., born April 9, I860, and William A., born Sept. 
5, 1863. In politics Mr. Reid is a Republican, and also a member 
of the P. .of H. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

James Robertson, jr., second son of James, sr., and Margaret 
(Steward) Robertson, was born at Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, in 
March, 1827. He worked in the coal and limestone mines about 
25 years. He came to the United States in June, 1871, and settled 
in Tay mouth tp., and five years later purchased 10 acres of land on 
sec. 33. He was married at Perth, LVlay 10, 1852, to Christina, 
daughter of Dugald and Janette (Cameron) McDonald, born April 
25, 1S33. They have 1 child — Margaret, born in Forfarshire, Scot- 
land, Nov. 23, 1853. Mr. Robertson and wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

Arthur Ross, farmer, sec. 21, was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, 
Jan. 8, 1839. He is a son of David D. and Margaret (Alexander) 
Ross; father born in 1805, and mother in 1811. David D. Ross 
came to the United States in 1813, and his family followed him in 
1845. He located in Tay mouth tp., on what was known as the 
"old Indian fields," and which had been previously leased from 
the red men by James McCormick. This piece of land comprised 
30 acres, and was almost entirely free from stumps. Mr. Ross 
built a large log cabin, 20x30 feet in size, near the edge of the 
clearing, and covered it with shingles brought down the river from 
Flushing, 16 miles distant. Mr. McCormick had planted a grove 
of a thousand mulberry trees, intending to start a silk factory, and 
there were also five apple-trees on the place, some of which were 
three feet in diameter, and of such an age that the oldest Indian 
could not remember when they were smaller. There was a 
plum orchard on the river bank. The mulberry grove remains 
yet, but the trees are dying very rapidly. Arthur Ross was Tp. 
Clerk two years, and is serving his tenth year as Supervisor. He 
was also School Inspector two years. He is a Democrat; a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and of the P. of H. He was married 
Dec. 1, 1861, to Lillie, daughter of Peter and Janet (McDonald) 
Angus, who was born at Creiff, Perthshire, Scotland, Oct. 31, 1812. 
They have 5 children — Jane, born Mar. 19, 1865; David D., born 
Oct." 11, 1867; Peter F., born April 15, 1869; Margaret A., born 
May 31, 1871, and. Lillie B., born May 20, 1875. Mrs. Ross is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

Thomas Salkeld, jr., second son of Thomas, sr., and Mary (Smith) 
Salkeld, was born in England, County Cumberland, November, 
1822. He came to the United States in the summer of 1852, and 
settled at East Saginaw, where he was engaged in a variety of pur- 



TATMODTH TOWNSHIP. 935 

hi its for 20 years. While there. He was married, Oct. 24, 1867, to 
Catherine Johnston, who died Feb. 27,1873. Two children have 
been given them— Thomas, born inTaymouth tp., Feb. 27. L869; 
Mary A., born Nov. 28, 1872, and died May 27, 1873. Mr. Salk- 
eld came t*» Taymouth tp. in the fall of L867, and purchased 50 
acres of land on sec 2. In politics he is a Republican. His wife 
was a member of the Baptist Church. 

Horace K. Sloan, first son of Asa and Charlotte (Atwood) Sloan, 
was born at Penfield, Monroe Co., N. V., ten miles east or Roch- 
ester, dan. 26, 1824. His father was born near Providence, R. I., 
Sept. 20, L791. His mother was born near the same place, Aug. 
23, L801. Horace lived on a farm until 21 years of age, when lie 
learned the shoemaking trade, at which lie worked two years, 
after which lie worked at the harness trade four years. Since this 
time he has been engaged in farming. At the age of 14 he came 
to Plymouth. Wayne Co., Mich., where he resided until the fall 
of 1S53, when he came to Taymouth tp., and engaged in lumber- 
ing and farming. He was married May 27, 1855, to Julia A., 
daughter of John and Ann (McCormick) Malone, born July 24, 
1837, at Flint. Genesee Co., Mich. Of their 4 children 3 are liv- 
ing — Eva L., born in Taymouth tp., April 14, 1856; Addie E., born 
Dec. 20, 1803, and Horace E., born Nov. 10, 1875. Harry M., 
was born Nov. 20, L859, and died Feb. 26, 1869. Mr. Sloan came 
to Albee tp. in the winter of 1857, and purchased 40 acres of land 
on sec. 14, on which he resided until August, L869, when he pur- 
chased 40 acres on sec. 1l!, on which he now resides. In politics 
Mr. Sloan is a Republican. He has held various tp. offices in 
Albee tp., among which is Supervisor some eight terms, Justice 
of the Peace. II ighway Commissioner, etc. Mrs. Sloan is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. 

James Smith, first son of David and Elizabeth (Wilson) Smith, 
was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, April 20, 1848. When 18 
years of age he left home and engaged in brick-making, at which 
he worked seven summers and lumbered during the winters. 
When four years of age his parents came to America, and settled at 
Warren. Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Two years later they removed to 
Saginaw county. In the spring of L855 he came with his parents 
to Taymouth tp.. and in 1873 purchased 42 acres of land on sec. 
36. lie was married in East Saginaw, May 0, 1878, to Jane, 
daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Wood) Mcintosh, born Oct. 2, 
l s ">s. They have 2 children, both born in Taymouthtp. — John 
M.. born April 25, 1879, and David A., born Feb. 11, L881. He 
is a Democrat, and was Moderator of the tp., one year. Mr. Smith 
and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

John Smith, second son of William and Elizabeth (Brown) 
Smith, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, May 26. 1818. When 
L8 years of age he began an apprenticeship of three year- at the 
carpenter and millwright's trade. After serving nine months o' his 
time, he was married Feb. 13, 1837, to Elizabeth, daughter of Alex- 
ander and Ellen (McGregor) Gilmore, born Nov. 25, 1S10. lie 



036 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

finished his term of apprenticeship after being married. They have 
9 children, all natives of Scotland — William, 'born July 14, 1837, 
JolinM. D., April 25, 1840; Mary. Aug. 17, 1845; George, Dec. 
14, 1846; Kobert, Dec. 22,1848; Elizabeth, Dec. 24, 1850; Ellen, 
Feb. 10, 1S52; Graham, Feb. 6, 1854, and Christina, Jan. 18, 1857. 
Robano was born Nov. 25, 1843, and died Oct. 22, 1849. Mr. Smith 
is a Republican and has been Justice of the Peace 18 months and 
Chairman of the School Board three years. Himself and wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, where he has been Sunday 
School Superintendent seven years. He came to Tay mouth tp. in the 
summer of 1866, and in 1868 he purchased 81 acres of land on sec. 
16. He is a natural mechanic and a man of great genius. He is 
a blacksmith and marble cutter, though he never served an appren- 
ticeship at either. He now has a marble yard and blacksmith shop 
on his farm. 

■f rimes Stephens, jr.. only son of James, sr., and Margaret (Miller) 
Stephens, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Aug. 20, 1824. 
When four years' of age became to Canada with his parents, and at 
the age of 19 learned the carpenter's trade, which he has worked at 
since. He was married March 1, 1857, to Olive, daughter of Jere- 
miah and Elizabeth (Chatman) Worden, born in Holton Co., Can. 
Of their 16 children 8 are living, 5 born in Canada and 11 in Tay- 
mouthtp. — Harriet, born September, 1853; James, July 20, 1855; 
Jeremiah, July 15, 1857; George, June 29, 1859; William, June 
29. 1859, and died when two weeks old; Robert, Jan. 13, 1862, and 
died July 21, 1876; Olive, April 4. 1864; John, June 30, 1866; 
Elizabeth, Sept. 2, 1868; Rebecca, May 11, 1870, and died in four 
weeks; Matilda, Oct. 16,1872, and Joel. Jan. 13, 1877. The remain- 
ing ones died young and were not named. Mr. S. went to Oakland 
Co., Mich, in the spring of 1860, and removed to Taymouth tp. in 
the fall of the same year. He purchased 80 acres of land on sec. 3, 
and now owns40 acres. He is a member of the I. O. G. T., and 
himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican. 

O/iarles Stone, son of Charles and Mary (Brennan) Stone, was 
born in Middlebnrg, Bohemia, Jan. 12, 1842. He came to Canada, 
with his parents when 10 years of age, and remained there 14 years. 
In the spring of 1866 he went to Saginaw City, and after residing 
there a short time he removed to Taymouth tp., and purchased 40 
acres of land on sec. 1. He was married at Saginaw City, July 7, 
1867, to Antonio, daughter of Marteus and Catherine Herbec. Of 
their 8 children 7 are living, all natives ofTavmouth tp. — Victoria, 
burn June 10, 1867; Mary, Aug. 15, 1868; Rosie, Jan. 12, 1871; 
Sylvania, Nov. 22, 1873; Ferdinand C, Jan. 19, 1875; Renaldeno 
M., born Feb. 12, 1877, and Evan G., May 25, 1879. Milly was born 
Jan. 8,1869, and died when eight months old. Mr. Stone is a 
Democrat, and a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife is a 
member of the Roman Catholic Church. 

William A. Stuart, second son of Asaph and Jane Stuart, was 
bom in County Monaghan, Ireland, Feb. 12, 1817. When 15 



TAYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. 937 

years of age his parents came to Canada, where lie worked on a 
farm five years. His father being a carpenter, he learned that 
trade, and has been engaged at it since. He was married at Co- 
bourg, Newcastle Co., Canada, April 21, 1841, to Margaret, 
daughter of James and Mary i McKeever) Crawford, born in County 
Monaghan, Ireland, in 1822. Four children were born to bless this 
union, all natives of Canada — Jane, born April 18, 1842; James, 
born May 24, 1843; Letitia, born April 10, 1815, and Hugh, born 
Nov. 10, 1817. .Mrs. Stuart died, and he was again married July 
21 , 1859, to Frances Courtney. Two children were given them, 
both natives of Middlesex Co., Canada — Margaret, born April 22, 
1860, and Charlotte, born Oct. 18, 1862. His second wife departed 
this lite April 4, 1864, and for his third wife he chose Julia Sharp, 
to whom he was united in the bonds of matrimony. He came to 
Taymouth tp. in 1865, and 10 years later purchased 10 acres of 
land on sec. 21. He is a Republican, and a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Frankli/n W. Thayer, third son of Darius and Diadama 
(Jencks) Thayer, was born at Groveland, Oakland Co. , Mich., Aug. 
4, 1847. His father was born Aug. 13, 1808, of English ancestry. 
He belongs to one of the oldest families of America, his forefathers 
having come over with the Pilgrims. His father still lives at 
Groveland, Oakland Co., where Franklin resided until 1879, 
when he removed to Taymouth tp., and purchased 80 acres of land 
on sec. 19. He was married at Groveland, Nov. 2, 1873, to Lurana. 
daughter of Chauncey and Jane (Hallock) Crosby, born Aug. 26, 
1854, in Groveland. They have 2 children — Eli F., born June 30, 
1877, and JMyrtieL., born" Ano;. 17, 1879. Mr. Thayer enlisted at 
Groveland, March 7, 1861, in Co. H, 2d Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., in 
the army of the Potomac, where he served 17 months. He was 
wounded June 17, 1864, and was sent to Washington, where he 
lay one month, and was removed to Lincoln hospital, and after- 
ward to Satterlee hospital, Philadelphia, where lie remained two 
and one-half months, received a furlough to come home to vote at 
Lincoln's re-election, returned and joined his regiment at Peters- 
burg. His company were among the first to plant the colors on 
the custom-house in Petersburg after the evacuation. He was 
discharged July 28, 1865. Mr. Thayer is a Republican in politics. 
His wife belongs to the Free-Will Baptist Church. 

Ahram Young, seventh son of John A. and Susan (Nix) Young, 
was born in Prince Edward Co., Can., Aug. 10, 1853, and is of Ger- 
man parentage. He was reared on a farm, and received his educa- 
tion in the common schools of Prince Edward county. In the fall 
of 1S76, he came to Taymouth tp., and purchased 80 acres of land 
on sec. 13, 26 of which are improved. He was married Mar. 25, 
1874, to Lucelia, daughter of Henry O. and Jane (Allison) Price, 
who was born Aug. 23, 1858. They had 1 child — Eugene, who 
was born in Taymouth tp., July 16, 1879, and died Dec. 7,1879. 
In politics Mr. Young is a Republican, and also a member of the 
I. O. G. T. lodge. 



THOMASTOWN TOWNSHIP. 

This division of the county was first settled in 1830, by Thomas 
and Edward McCarty, who soon after erected the first log houses 
in the township. The settlement of this district was very gradual 
until 1836, when it received a fair quota of the immigrants then 
settling in the county. Its present population is said to exceed 
1,150, being 100 over the number credited to it by the census re- 
turns of 1880. 

The application to organize the district now known as Thomas- 
town was made in 1855, and the Board of Supervisors ordered the 
following territory to be laid off in accordance with the prayer of 
the petitioners: Township number 12 north, of range number 3 
east; township number 12 north, of range number 2 cast, and 
township number 12 north, of range number 1 east. The order 
is given under date of Oct. 11, 1855, in the following terms: 
" Therefore, be it ordered, That the above described territory be, 
and the same is, hereby duly organized into a township to be known 
and designated by the name of 'Thomastown,' which said township 
is described as being within the limits and under the jurisdiction of 
the county of Saginaw, in the State of Michigan; and be it further 
ordered, That the first annual meeting for the election of township 
officers in said township be held at the school-house in school dis- 
trict number three in said township of Thomastown on the first 
Monday in April next, and that the following named persons, to wit: 
Octavius Thompson, Robert Ure and Samuel Shattuck, being three 
electors of said township, be, and they are hereby designated and 
appointed to preside at such election, and to perform all the duties 
required by the statute in such case made and provided." 

THE FIRST TOWNSHIP MEETING 

was held at the school-house named in the order, April 7, 1856, 
with Robert Ure, John Benson and C. C. Batchelor, Inspectors of 
Election; John Wiltsie, Clerk, and Morgan Jones, Constable. 
The number of votes recorded was (!0, of which Octavius Thomp- 
son received 31; and Levi W. Haines 27, for the office of Super- 
visor. The officers elected were Octavius Thompson, Supervisor; 
Thomas Owen, Township Clerk; John Wiltsie, Treasurer; James* 
McCarty and John Wiltsie, Justices of the Peace; Edward Mc- 
Carty, Jacob Wiltsie and S. J. Barnes, Highway Commissioners; 
Thcmas McCulloch and John Benson, School Inspectors; Denis 
McCarty, Henry Almy, and Edward Zaglemyet, Constables; 
Robert Ure, John Benson, Henry Bernhardt and Silas Wiltsie, 
Path Masters; W. Haines and Henry Bernhardt, Poor Overseers. 

(938) 



TH0MA8T0WM TCWN8HIP 



939 



lOWXSHIP OFFICERS. 



The following is a list of supervisors, clerks, treasurers and 
justices from 1856 to the present time: 



SUPERVISORS. 



Octavius Thompson 1856 

Levi W. Haines 1857-'8 

John Benson I859-'60 

John J Liskow 1861 

L. W. Haines 1862 

O. G. Davis 1863 

John Wiltse 1864 

Thomas Parker 1865 

John Wiltse 1866 



William McBratnie 1867 

John Wiltse 1868 

William McBratnie 1869-'71 

John Wiltse :1872 

James Graham 1ST:! 

James Wiltse 1874-'5 

James Graham 1876-'8 

J. M Wiltse 18T9--87 



CLERKS. 



Thomas Owen 1856-'8 

Henry Bernhardt 1859-'61 

Thomas Owen 1862 

John Backhans 1863 

Chas. II Williams 1864 



John Backlians 1865-'6 

Thomas Owen 1867-'7 

Chas. H. Butts 1878 

Louis Liskow 1879-'80 

William Wurtzel 1881 



TREASURERS. 



John Wiltse 18.j(i-'61 

John Wiltse, jr lS62-'3 

William .McBratnie 1864-'6 

J. G. Liskow 1867 



John Benson 1868-78 

H enry L. Baine 1879-'80 

Isaac Parker 1881 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



James McCarty, John Wiltse. .1856 

Octavius Thompson is.">7 

Harvey Wilts.' 1858 

Colin McBratnie 1859 

<). P. Semus 1860 

William McBratnie, J. Back- 
hans 1861 

M. Wiltse, Henry Beamish, T. 

McCulloch 1862 

Thomas McCulloch 1863 

D. Williams, L. W. Haines. . . .1864 
James Graham, Wm. Wiltse.. 1865 

J. G. Liskow 1866 

T. McCulloch 1867 



J.M. Wiltse, D. Williams 1P68 

James Graham 1869 

Lyman Parks. J. G. Liskow. ...1870 
John G. Liskow, C. C. Parks. ..1871 

J. M. Wiltse Ib72 

James Graham 1ST:; 

Robert Treby 1874 

Chas. II. Butts 1875 

John G. Liskow 1876 

James Graham 1*77 

A. R. Hooper 1878 

A. J. French, John Codcl 1879 

John D. Frost, Jacob King 1880 

John A. Wright, John Wiltse.. .1881 



Together with the supervisor, clerk, treasurer and justices 
named in table, the other officers of the township are John D. Frost, 
Commissioner of Highways; Joseph Johnson, Superintendent o 
Schools; Thomas Ovven, Inspector of Schools; Napoleon B.Davis, 
and George Palinonteer, Constables. 

The Schools of the township are well conducted. There are six 
school districts, each possessing a good building. There are two 
brick and four frame school-houses, valued at $4,495. The school 



940 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

census shows 373 pupils and seven teachers. The total expendi 
tures for the year 1880, aggregated $2,650.09, inclusive of the mon - 
eys received from the primary-school fund, $167.79. 

The Cemetery, known as Owen's Cemetery, is a neat burial place, 
situated on a hillock, west of the river road; it serves the dual pur- 
pose of interment and reminder. 

The township lands are gently undulating, rich in all the consti- 
tuents of a productive soil and well settled. The district is watered 
by the Tittabawassee, which forms its northeastern boundaiw. 
Swan creek flows through the township from the northwest through 
sections 5, 9,16, 22, 27, and 31; McClellan creek, Williams creek, 
and a few others are minor streams. 

The Saginaw Valley & St. Louis railroad runs through the south- 
ern sections, while the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad runs 
southwest from Tittabawassee station through the southeast quar- 
er of section 36 . 

The saw-mill at Swan Creek station, two brick yards, a wagon 
shop, store and hotel are among the business places of the town. 

PERSONAL SKETCHES 

are here given of a number of the most prominent citizens of this 
township: 

John Benson, an old and respected pioneer of this tp., residing 
on sec. 3, was born in Livingston Co., N. Y. , June 9, 1841; 
parents were Stephen and Lucia Benson; father was a soldier in 
war of 1812, and grandfather in Revolutionary war, participating 
in the battle of Trenton, Dec. 26, 1776, and the trials and sufferings 
at Valley Forge; subject of sketch came to this county iu October, 
1S36. locating on sec. 11, and in 1842, on sec. 3, where he has since 
resided, and owns 80 acres of land; first house erected was 12x12 
feet in size, and in the center of a great forest; was first Justice of 
the Peace of this tp., serving 21 years in succession, and 12 years 
since; was Tp. Clerk two years, and Treasurer 12 years; is Repub- 
lican in politics, and a member of tire I. O. O. F.; was married 
Oct 14, 1834, to Sarah B., daughter of Timothy and Susannah 
(Thorp) Wood, natives of Springfield, Mass.; wife was born at 
Westfield, Mass., Nov. 2, 1814; 4 of their 10 children survive — 
Harriet N., wife of Norman Swarthout, born April 20, 1836; Reu- 
ben S., born May 9, 1842; Martha E., wife of Horace Jerome, born 
Oct. 19, 1852, and Catherine A., wife of Lucius M linger, born April 
17, 1856. William E., John E., Evangeline, Orlanda, Mary and 
Eli are deceased. 

George Bryant, (deceased) was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, May 
1, 1825. When 13 years of age, he shipped on board a sailing ves- 
sel, and continued in that business until 1847, when he came to 
Canada. He located his family near London, Province of Ontario, 
and obtained a position as sailor on the lakes. In 1864 he removed 
his family to this county and settled on sec. 28, of this tp. He was 



THOMASTOWN TOWNSHIP. 941 

married to Agnes Cameron, asnpposed descendant of the Cameron 8 
of Scotland. Seven children were born to this union,*; of whom are 
living — William, Andrew, George, Anna, wife of James Robinson; 
Thomas and Mary. John is deceased. Mr. Bryant was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and died Oct, 19, 1865. Mrs. B. is 
connected with the "Wesley an M. E. denomination; she owns 130 
acres of land. 

Murray JFras&r, farmer and lumberman, sec. 24; was born in 
Saginaw tp., Oct. 11, 1845; is a son of Murdock and Isabell Fraser, 
early pioneers of this county; subject of sketch passed his early life 
on a farm, receiving the limited educational facilities afforded by 
the district school ; has been engaged in lumbering during the "lum- 
ber season," and fanning the other portion of the year; employed 
about 125 men in 1880, and " got out " nearly 20,000,000 logs; owns 
200 acres of well-improved land, and is a Republican; was married 
Jan. 5, 1868, to Mrs. Leila II. Warren, widow of Joseph Warren 
(dec), and a daughter of William and Sarah Cross; wife was born 
Jan. 1, 1844, and married Joseph Warren April 4, 1859; husband 
was born in June, 1828, and was a soldier in Co. C, 9th. Reg. ^O. 
Yol. Inf.; was killed at Murfreesboro in December, 1862. 

David Geddes, agriculturist, sees. 15 and 21, was born in 
Hastings Co., Province of Ontario, Can., July 15, 1832; is son of 
James and Clarissa Geddes, mother a native of Hastings Co., N. Y., 
father of Edinburg, Scotland; latter located in Ontario, Can., where 
he has resided 52 years; his father was in the British army for 30 
years, and served in the French Revolution; subject's grandfather, 
on his mother's side, John Skinkeil, a German, came to America 
prior to the Revolutionary war, and during that conflict served in 
the British army; he died at the advanced age of 109 years; sub- 
ject of sketch came to this county in 1861, locating on sec. 21 
of this tp.; he now owns 320 acres of land, is Greenback in politics, 
and connected with the K. of H., I. H., and Black Knights of the 
Camp of Israel and the Orange societies; was married June 
7, 1856, to Ann A., daughter of John and Angeline Harris, born 
in Hastings Co., Can., Oct. 3, 1839; had 6 children. 5 living — 
Sarah J., wife of W. W. Owen, born March 20, 1857; Mary E., 
wife of William Calvert, born April 1, 1859; Edwin J., born May 
7, 1861; Francis A., born May 23, 1S63, and David A., born Dec. 
5, 1868. 

James Graham, farmer, sees. 32 and 33, was born in County 
Tyrone, Ireland, Sept. 8,1830; is a son of Andrew and Jane 
Graham, natives of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, who came to America 
in 1*34; subject of sketch resided with grandfather till 1845, when 
he came and settled near Hamilton, Can., and in ls51 located in 
this county; in 1854 he removed to present farm, being the first 
settler west of Swan Creek; was Justice of Peace of Thomastown 
16 years, Supervisor four years, and Tp, Clerk and Treasurer one year 
each; ownslOO acres of land, and politically is Democratic; he 
was married Oct. 6, 1862, to Phoebe A. Bonestring, who gave him 



942 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

2 children — Eliza, born July 19, 1864, and Anna, born Nov. 25, 
1864; his wife died, and he was again married Jan. 16, 1866, to 
Eliza M., daughter of Benjamin and Mary M. Stiff, who was born 
in Warren Co., N. J., Feb. 16, 1841 ; subject and wife are members 
of the Baptist Church of East Saginaw. 

John G. Liskow, a prominent pioneer of Thomastown tp., was 
born in Lippehue, Prussia, May 25, 1814; is a son of Samuel and 
Kehena Liskow; from 1839 to 1851, he was engaged in mercantile 
trade in native land; in latter year came to America with family, 
and father-in-law; he was forced to leave Prussia on account of op- 
position to the king; soon after arriving in this country, he came 
to this tp., and for seven years was engaged in brick-making; for 
10 years he was proprietor of a store at Saginaw City, where he 
now owns two storerooms; he formerly owned a large farm, but 
has divided it among his children, and now possesses only 120 
acres; is a Republican, has been Justice of Peace since 1870, also 
Supervisor one term; was instrumental in the organization of the 
German Pioneer Society of Saginaw County, and was chosen its 
Treasurer; he was married May 14, 1840, to Caroline Seiffert, born 
in Prussia, in March, 1824;of their 6 children, 5 are living— Louisa; 
Charles, who married Amelia Scheib; Ferdinand; Lewis, the hus- 
band of Antonia Hak, and John. William is deceased; his wife's 
father, Charles Seiffert, was a soldier during the French Revolu- 
tion, and fought against Napoleon Bonaparte at the battle of 
Waterloo. He resides with Mr. Liskow, and is 82 years of age. 

John Shepherd, merchant, Frost's Corners, Thomastown tp., was 
born in Cambridgeshire, Eng., April 5, 1826; is a son of William 
and Mary (Rolf) Shepherd; subject of sketch served three years' 
apprenticeship at painting, and followed that business, in connection 
with gardening, till 1850; in 1852 came to America, locating at 
Lockport, N. Y., thence to Cleveland, O., and in 1857 to this 
county, where he followed his trade till 1863; sold milk at Saginaw 
City until 1869; was then gardener till 1879, whew he removed to 
present location and engaged in business. He established a post- 
office in May, 1880, and became its Postmaster; owns several 
buildings and a blacksmith shop; is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
a Republican, and owns 40 acres of land on sec. 16, in Saginaw tp.; 
was Secretary of the Saginaw County Agricultural Society in 
1877-'S; was" married in December, 1850, to Elizabeth Trotman, 
who died Dec. 24, 1851; was again married March 4, 1855, to 
Sarah Ann Wallace. They have 4 children— Elizabeth, wife of Floyd 
Hubbard; Minnie, wife of John McLean; Charles and Wallace. 

William and Arthur Shields, two pioneers of this tp., resid- 
ing on sec. 3, are natives of County Armot, Ireland, former 
born in 1826 and the latter in 1830. In 1836 their parents located 
near Montreal, Can., and six years later came to Saginaw county, 
settling on sec. 3 of this tp. The Messrs. Shields have 
aided largely in improving the ground where they located 16 acres 
of land, and now possess a farm of 160 acres. Both are mem- 



TIIOMASTOWN TOWNSHIP. 943 

bers of the M. E. Church, and advocates of the principles of the 
Democratic party. One sister, Ann, wife of William Glover 
(deceased), resides with them on the farm. She was born Jan. IT, 
1828. Of the 6 children born to her, 3 survive — Mary J., wife of 
Henry Barnes: William, and Elizabeth, wife of Charles H. Pamlee. 
John W<Hxie< an old resident of this tp., was born in Lucas 
Co., O., Oct. 20, 1826; accompanied parents, Cornelias and 
Electa Wiltsie, to this county in January, 1837, locating on 
what is now sec. 11 of this tp.; parents were natives of New 
York, and settled in Lucas Co., O., in 1824; they suffered all the 
hardships incident to pioneer life, the nearest grist-mill being at 
Flint, 4(> miles distant; subject of sketch owns a farm of 240 acres 
on sees. 8 and 9; was Justice of the Peace two terms, Supervisor 
four years, and Township Treasurer three years; was married May 
30, 1S49, to Huldah Almy, who was born Jan. 1, 1830; 2 children 
are deceased, 8 living — Minnie, wife of John Dice; Mina, wife of 
Frank Dice; Dan, Benjamin, James, John, Bhoda and Edward. 

W/'/h'avi Wurtzel, farmer, was born in Brandenburgh, Prussia, 
May 11, 1840; is a son of Charles and Wilhelmina Wurtzel, who 
emigrated to the United States in July, 1854; they subsequently 
came to this county, and located on sec. 14, Thomastown tp. ; 
father died April 1, 1S81, aged 73 years, and mother Nov. 28, 
1874; subject's grandfather, Christian Kampfert, served in the 
Prussian army, under Frederick III., and against Napoleon I.; 
subject of sketch was engaged 10 years in the butchering business 
at Saginaw City, and was foreman of the Tittabawassee Boom Co. 
for six years; in 1872 purchased his present farm, removing on it 
in 1876; owns 120 acres, also the old homestead of 82 acres; is a 
member of the Masonic order and a Republican; was married May 
11, 1865, to Minnie, daughter of Frederick and Henrietta Gaus- 
chow, who was born in Prussia, Nov. 9, 1842; wife's parents came 
to this county in 1850; 4 children are living — Laura, born July 1, 
1868; William, born Nov. 23, 1870; Minnie, born Feb. 4, 1873, 
and Amelia, born Oct. 9, 1875; Charles and Amelia are deceased; 
wife died Jan. 30, 1879; subject was again married March 31, 1880, 
to Frances, daughter of John and Hannah Skinner, who was born 
in Devonshire, Eng., Jan. 30, 1849; wife is a member of the Epis- 
copal Church; parents came to the United States in 1871. 



TOWNSHIP OF TITTABAWASSEE. 

This section of the Saginaw Valley conies next to Saginaw City 
in the order of settlement, is equal to it in the quality of its lands, 
and may be termed the third township in the order of population 
and wealth. The Tittabawassee river enters the township at the 
northwest quarter of sec. 7, flows southeast through sees. 17, 1 6, 
21, 28, 27 and 34, where it leaves the district. Numerous small 
creeks, together with the north branch of Swau creek and the head 
waters of Cannon creek, water the township. 

The Flint & Pere Marquette railroad divides the town equally; 
it enters at the northeast quarter of sec. 36, runs northwest through 
sees. 25, 26, 23, 22, 21, 16, 8, 7 and 6, with a depot at Freelands, 
in the geographical center of the township. The land is compara- 
tively well settled, there being a population of 1,506 returned by 
the census of June, 1S80. 

The principal manufacturing industry of the township is the 
Bond saw-mill, in the northeast quarter of sec. 7, on the line of the 
F. & P. M. R. K. 

The villages comprise Freelands and Tittabawassee, the nucleus 
of what may in time be a center of population in the southwest 
quarter of sec. 6, on the line of railroad. The town may be con- 
sidered purely agricultural, and as a farm country will compare 
very favorably with the old settled townships of the eastern conn- 
ties. The inhabitants form a particularly cultivated community, 
earnest in every cause they espouse, and fully capable of drawing 
forth all the great resources of their beautiful land. 

ORGANIC. 

An act to organize the township of Tittabawassee, passed by the 
Legislature during the spring session of 1840, was approved March 
30, 1840. This act directed " That the counties of Midland, Gra- 
tiot, and all the towns, according to the United States survey, north 
of town 12, in range 1, 2 and 3 east of the meridian, as far north 
as town 16, be, and the same are hereby set off and organized 
into a separate township by the name of Tittabawassee, and the 
first township meeting shall be held at the house of Obadiah 
Crane, in said township." A review of the names of the officials 
chosen at the first township election will suffice to show that the 
principal settlers were of that class which could master every ob- 
stacle, whether it was of a physical or political character. 

(944) 



u 



TTTTABAWASSEE TOWNSHIP. 



945 



FIRST TOWNSHIP MEETING. 

The citizens of the town of Tittabavvassee met according to law 
at the house of Obadiah Crane April 5, 1841, and organized by 
calling Obadiah Crane to the chair. Luke Wellington,"" Jefferson 
Jaqnith, John McGregor and Murdock Fraser were chosen In- 
spectors of said election, and Chas. S. Tibbetts, Clerk. Below are the 
names of the persons elected for the several offices, as certified to 
by the Inspectors: 

Andrew Ure, Supervisor; Thomas McCarty, Clerk; Wm. R. 
Hubbard. Treasurer; Obadiah Crane, Andrew Ure and Thomas 
Me Cam Assessors; Pnineas D. Braley, Collector; Lancelot Spare, 
Luke Wellington and Edward Green, School Inspectors; John 
Benson and Murdock Fraser. Directors of the Poor; Phineas D. 
Braley. Chas. S. Tibbetts and John Voter. Com'rs of Highways; 
Thos. 3lc ( arty, John Benson, Andrew Ure aud Nelson Gary. 
Justices of the Peace; Phineas D. Braley. Sylvester Vibber, John 
Voter and Obadiah Crane, Constables. The justices were elected 
for the terms as follows, viz. : Andrew Ure for the term of four 
years; Thos. McCarty, three years; John Benson, two years; and 
Nelson Gary, one year. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

The following is a list of the principal township officers from 
L842 to the present time: 

SUPERVISORS. 



Thos. McCarty 1842'3 

Murdoch Fraser 1844 

Thos. .McCarty 1845 

Murdock Fraser 184ft 

Luke Wellington 1847 

Bernard Ilackett 1848 '9 

Horace S. Beach 1850-'i 

Oetavius Thompson 1852 

Thos. McCarty 1853 

Horace 8. Beach 1854 

Jefferson Jaquith 1855 

Jacob H. Lewis 1856-'7 

Horace S. Beach 1858 



Jacob H. Lewis 1859-'60 

James A. Munger 1861 

Jacob H. Lewis 1862 

Horace S. Beach 1863-'4 

Jacob H. Lewis 1865 

James A. Munger 1866 

Jacob H. Lewis..: 1867-'9 

Henry T. Hawley 1870 

August Vasold, jr 1871 

J.H.Lewis 1872 

Wm. Roeser 1873-'80 

John A. McGregor 1881 



CLERKS. 



James N. Gotee 1842-'3 

Andrew Ure 1844 

James N. Gotee 1845 

Thos. McCarty 1846-'8 

Andrew Ure 1849-'51 

Wm. Almy 1852 

Andrew Ure 1853-'4 

Henry D. Rogers • . ...1855 



Otto Roeser 1856-'? 

Wm. Roeser 1858-'6!) 

Jacob H. Lewis 1870 

Geo. F. Barbarin 1872 

J. H. Lewis l873-'6 

Wm. H. Dennison 1877-'c0 

Edward F. Gould 1881 



57 



946 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



TREASURERS. 



Wm. R. Hubbard 1842 

Stephen Benson 1843 

John Thompson 1844 

Stephen Benson 1845-'6 

James McCarty 1847-'54 

John Thomson 1855 

Bernard Hackett 1856 

Henry D. Rogers 1857 

Bernard Hackett 1858 

Lewis Vanwinkel 1859 

Henry Rogers 1 860 

Adolphus Kirchner 1861'2 

Daniel B. Olmstead 1863 



John Thompson, jr 1864 

P ter McGregor 1 865-'6 

Robert W. Day 1867 

John Thompson 1868 

Daniel B. Olmstead 1869 

Donald Treasurer 1870 

Geo. B. Rounds 1871 

James Thompson 1872 

Jeremiah Austin. ... 1873-'4 

Peter Branch 1875-'6 

Wm. Stone l877-'8 

John A. McGregor 1879-'80 

Ethan G. Allen 1881 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



John McGregor 1842 

Obadiah Crane 1843 

John Benson, 1844 

Thos. McCarty 

Octavius Thompson.. 1845 

John McGregor 1846 

Thos. McCarty 1847 

Andrew Ure 1848 

Octavius Thompson 1849 

John Benson 1850 

Thos. McCarty 1851 

Horace Beach 1852 

Octavius Thompson 1853 

John Renson 1854 

Otto Roeser 1855 

James A. Munger 1856 

John Thompson, sr 1857 

Geo. H. Tnrsdell 1858 

Daniel P. Foote 1859 

Otto Roeser 1860 

Wm. H. Oliver 1861 



Geo. H. Truesdell 1862 

Augustus Vasold 1863 

Wm. Roe er 1864 

John Thompson 1865 

Geo. H. Truesdell 1866 

August Vasold 1867 

Wm Roeser 1868 

Geo. F. Barbarin 1869 

Thos, H. Babcock 1870 

Geo. F. Barbarin 1871 

Wm. Roeser 1872 

Peter McGregor 1873 

August Vasold 1874 

John Thompson, jr 1875 

Wm. Roeser 1876 

Peter H. McGregor 1877 

Erasmus O'Louk 1878 

James A. Munger 1879 

Wm. Roeser 1880 

Chas. N. Foote 1881 



SCHOOLS. 



There are five full and six fractional school districts, each pro- 
vided with a school building and under the supervision of a di- 
rector and teacher. 



THE CHURCHES AND CEMETERY 



comprise the Methodist and Adventist. These are neat buildings 
exteriorly and interiorly, and a credit to the societies who worship 



TITTAHAWASSEE TOWNSHIP. 947 

in them. The Catholics and Episcopalians attend the churches of 
Saginaw or Bay City generally. The township cemetery is located 
in the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 8. It 
is the property of the people, is well ordered, and forms, with 
the schools and churches, a living remembrancer of the occupation 
of the township by a people who honor their God and their dead. 

Seventh-Day Adventist Church. — About the 15th of February, 
1867, it was announced that an Adventist named M. E. Cornell, 
would give lectures on Bible subjects at the school-house. Subse- 
quently he gave lectures for a month or more and aroused such in- 
terest in his belief that a meeting of citizens and believers was 
called March 20, when a subscription for a house of worship was 
taken up. This church was to be known as " S. D. Adventists' 
house of worship, " and to be controlled by them, but to be opened 
for funerals and on other ocasions to all denominations. A liberal 
amount was subscribed, and several sites offered free. A commit- 
tee on building was chosen: H. T. Hawley, W. H. Hilton and J. 
A. Munger; who commenced at once by selecting a site offered by 
Wra. Roeser, on which to erect a building 40x60 feet, letting the 
contract to Messrs. Babcock and Maycumber for $1,200, with ma- 
terial furnished. The work went on steadily until completion in 
October of same year, and nearly all paid for at a cost of about 
$3,3<>0. There was no Church organization. Elders Cornell and 
Lawlence, commencing meetings again in October, perfected the 
work of organizing a Church of 37 members, Nov. 2, with local 
elders and clerk. They still continued their work until about 50 
were united with the Church, when on the 23d of December a legal 
organization was perfected in accordance with the laws of Michi- 
gan, to hold church property. A deed from Mr. Roeser of their 
lot was received. The Church with all its changes has ever re- 
tained about its usual number of members, its present number 
being 48 and the greatest number it has had 67. In the spring of 
1880 this society bought one-half lot more, adjoining the original 
property, on the north of Mr. Roesers' land, thus giving them two 
and one-half lots in the township. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church. — The M. E. Society was or- 
ganized in this township in 1846. In 1874 the present church 
was erected at a cost of $3,000, the energy of the Rev. Mr. Spar- 
ling contributing much to its satisfactory completion. The society 
claims a membership of 60 persons, with the Rev. J. B. Withey 
as pastor in charge. 

PURCHASERS OF THE LANDS. 

The early buyers of the township lands became permanent set- 
tlers in the greater number of instances. The names of those who 
purchased their lands from the general Government are as follows: 



948 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY, 



Owen C. White, sec 1, Nov 7, 1854 
Philo B. Earnes, sec 1, Nov 7, 1854 
Sanford M. Green, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 
David Hughes, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 
Hiram M Jenny, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 
Abrara Hughes, sec 3, Nov 14, 1854 
Royal L. Lewis, sec 3, Nov 7, 1854 
Emma E. Lewis, sec 3, Nov 7, 1854 
Hiram Surryhire, sec 3, Nov 7, 1854 
Edward Clark, sec 4. Dec 2, 1854' 
Floyd R. Elliot, sec 4, April 4. 1855 
George W. Bullock, sec 4, Oct 18, 1854 
Cornelius Dodge, sec 4, Jan 9, 1855 
Peter H. Fick, jr., sec 5, Dec 11, 1854 
Amos Clark, sec 6, Nov 16. 1854 
Benj. F. Partridge, sec 6, Nov 18, 1853 
Mary A. McCollum, sec 6, Feb 3, 1855 
Geo. W. Bullock, sec 6, Feb 22, 1854 
James Frazer, sec 6, Nov 28, 1S53 
Wm. H. Freeland, sec 6, Nov 17, 1854 
Geo. W. Suteman, sec 6, Oct 4, 1853 
Francis Andrews, sec 6, Jan 7, 1851 
Volney Chapin. sec 6, Jan 7, 1851 
David E. Corbin, sec 7, May 29, 1834 
Calvin Hotchkiss, sec 7, Jan 4, 1836 
Hiram J. Hotchkiss, sec 7, Jan 4, 1836 
Leman B. Hotchkiss, sec 7, Jan 4, 1836 
Mary B. Brown, sec 7, Dec 22, 1835 
Francis Andrews, sec 7, Jan 7, 1851 
Volney Chapin, sec 7, Jan 7, 1851 
Peter C. Andre, sec 7, May 21, 1851 
George Whitman, sec 7, Dec 1, 1848 
Harvey Whitman, sec 7, Dec 1, 1848 
Samuel P. Halsey, sec 7, Nov 9, 1854 
Robert Nelson, sec 8, Aug 24, 1851 
Ann Reed, sec 8, Nov 7, 1854 
Bernard Hackett, sec 8, Jan 31, 1837 
Michael Hoffmann, sec 8, Nov 14, 1836 
Calvin Hotchkiss, sec 8, Jan 4, 1836 
Mary B. Brown, sec 8, Dec 22, 1835 
George Whitman, sec 8, Dec 1, 1848 
Harvey Whitman, sec 8, Dec 1, 1848 
George W. Bullock, sec 9, April 7, 1S54 
Earl P. Lane, sec 9, Nov 7, 1854 
Silas I. Harper, sec 9, Nov 7, 1854 
James B. Hunt, sec 9, Jan 23, 1837 
Jacob H. Lewis, sec 10, Nov 7, 1854 
Wm. Surryhire, sec 10, Nov 7, 1854 
Martin L. Osborn, sec 10, Nov 7, 1854 
John Falls, sec 10, May 26, 1837 
James Birdsall, sec 11, Nov 9 1854 
David S Frary, sec 11, Nov 0, 1854 
Roval W. Jenny, sec 12, Nov 7, 1854 
Parks Putnam,' sec 12, Nov 7, 1854 
William Newton, sec 12. Nov 9, 1854 
Samuel Allport, sec 13, Nov 7, 1854 
Giles Bishop, sec 13, Nov 7. 1854 
Joseph P. Cook, sec 13, Nov 6, 1854 
Nicholas West, sec 14, Nov 7, 1854 
Eph. S. Williams, sec 14, Nov 7, 1854 
Charles L. Munger, sec 14, Nov 7, 1854 
John W. Edmunds, sec 15, Nov 10, 1836 



Alanson Brown, sec 15, Oct 12, 1836 
John Barbour, sec 15, Nov 10, 1836 
Joseph C. Anibal, sec 16, Oct 5, 1850' 
Daniel H.Fitzhugh, sec 17, Dec 18,1835 
William H. Hilton, sec 17, Nov 16, 1850 
George Whitman, sec 17, Feb 24, 1848 
Harvey Whitman, sec 17, Feb 24, 1848 
Russel McMnnners, sec 17, Nov 5. 1851 
James A. Munger, sec 17 June 28, 1853 
Benjamin Decker, sec 17, Jan 13, 1855 
Humphrey Shaw, sec 17, Nov 28, 1853 

and March 4, 1854 
John Munger, sec 17, April 23, 1856 
George Whitman, sec 1 8, Aug 6, 1853 
Jeremiah Slack, sec 18, May 28, 1856 
William J. tlalsey, sec 18, Oct 4, 1853 
Samuel B. Halsey, sec 18, Oct 4, 1853 
Willam Dennis, sec 18, May 27, 1856 
Dennis Kain, sec 18, June 2, 1856 
David Preston, sec 18, Aug 3, 1863 
Thomas Kain, sec 18, June 2, 1856 
Alex.C.Parker, sec 19 Nov 13 and 14,1854 
Hiram Herick, sec 20, Dec 14, 1853 
Charles Munger, sec 20, July 28, 1854 
William H. Oliver, sec 20, April 1,1854 
Humphrey Shaw, sec 20, April 3, 1854 
Joshua Blackmore, sec 20, Aug 3, 1863 
Ziba B. Osmun, sec 20, Feb 27, 1854 
Halinda Chapman, sec 20, Jan 5, 1855 
Daniel P. Fool e, sec 20, Jan 8,1855 
William H. Oliver, sec 20, Feb 16, 1852 
Darwin A.Pettibone.sec 20,Aug24, 1863 
Seth Munger, sec 20,,May 25, 1865 
John Bowen sec 20, Oct 8, 1855 
Hiram G. Hotchkiss, sec 21, Jan 4, 1836 
Leman B. Hotchkiss, sec 21, Jan 4, 1836 
Calvin Hotchkiss, sec 21, Jan 4, 1836 
Peter A. Cowdrey, sec 21, Oct 23, 1835 
Alpheus Chapman, sec 21, Juue 26, 

1848. and Nov 16, 1850 
Abram La Rue, sec 21, Nov 21, 1850 
Wm. Seffhard, sec 21, March 1, 1854 
Alanson Brown, sec 22, Oct 12. 1836 
Michael Hoffman, sec 22, Oct 12, 1836 
Patterson Ferguson, sec 22, Oct 12, 1836 
Luke Wellington, sec 22, Oct 12, 1836 
Wm. W. Hartwell, sec 23, Dec 19,1836 
Marvil P. Hawkins, sec 23, Nov 7, 1854 
John Barbour, sec 23, Jan 21,1837 
Mary Barbour, sec 23, Jan 21, 1837 
Elizabeth A Barbour, sec 23, Jan 21,1837 
George Covil, sec 23, Nov 29, 1836 
Alanson Brown , sec 23, Oct 12, 1836 
Chester Parshall, sec 24, Nov 7, 1854 
Thomas Smith, sec 24, Dec 19, 1836 
Henry Parks, see 24, Nov 22, 1854 
Mary Ann Hunt, sec 24. Jan 21, 1837 
Carey E. demons, sec 25, Nov 7, 1854 
Hugh McLean, sec 25. Nov 7, 1851 
Isaac Darling, jr., sec 25, Nov 7, 1S54 
Hugh Quin. sec 25, May 26, 1837 
Daniel Wood, see 26, Nov 29, 1836 



TirTABAWASSEE TOWNSHIP. 



949 



Nahum W.Capew, aec 2 I, Nov 29, 1836 
Thomas Wiard jr., sec 26, Oct 12, 1836 
Hugh Quin, sec 26, May 26, L887 
Thomas Crickale, sec 26, May 9, is::; 
Obadiah Crane,sec26, Feb L3, 1837 
George Young, Bee 26, Dec 2, >836 
John McGregor, sec 27, May L9, 1834 
William c. Baker sec 27, An- 26, 1836 
Charles H. Carroll, sec 22, June 22, 1836 
Wm T. Carroll, sec 27, June 22, L836 
Duncan McKenzie, sec 27, May 20, L835 
Silas Wiltse, sec 27, Bepl I, 1851 
Peter A. Cowdrey, sec 28, <>ci 23, 1835 
Joseph Busby, sec 28, Ma v. -J.",, L883 
A. M. C.VanVasold,sec 28, May 27, 1850, 
.May 8 and 1 1,1854, ami Aug 3, 1863 
Joseph Ray, sec 28, -Ian s, 1855 
Ferdinand Beythan, sec3*,Sept9, 1852 
Ferdinand Bock, sec 28, Sept 9, 1852 
William Hay, f-ec 2!). -Ian 8, 1855 
Whiting Rexford, sue 29, April 11, 1855 
F. A: P. M. R. R, sec 29, Dec 1, 1862 
JosiahG. Leech, sec 30. Oct 17, 1836 
Curtis ('. dates, sec 30, Oct 17, 1836 
0. II. Wianer, sec 30, Nov 7, 1834 
C. A. Harrington, sec 30, April 20, 1866 
C. II. Wilkinson, sec SO.Mareh 10, 1870 
Watcrmm Baker, sec 30, Aug 28, 1863 
George Nelson, sec30, June 19, 1869 
Joshua Blackmore, sec 30, Aug 3, 1863 
Wm. M. liurtis, sec 31, Nov 2, !854 
John G. Gibson, j-pc 31, Jan 2, 1852 
John Jelly, sec 31, Jan 5. 1855 
Sarah Jelly, sec 31, April 19, 1*54 
Edward McCarty.sec 31, Dec 19,1853 
Thomas McCarty, sec 31, Dec 10, 1853 
J. B. Passmore," sec 31, Nov 7, 1854 
James Parker, sec 31, Dec 0, 1854 
Chas. 11. Miller, sec 31, Dec 20, 1854 
Sam'l A Godard, sec 32, Aug 26, 1836 
Fred. H. Bailey, sec 32, July 10, 1866 
David P.Cramton, sec 32, April 16,1866 



Reuben Wi kham.s c82,April 21,1866 
Willi. W. Owens, sec 32, April 28, 1866 
Willis W. Owens, sec 32, Feb 24, 1869 
Augustus Vasold, sec 32 Aug 17, 1863 
Ferdinand Beythan, sec 32, Sepl 15, 1873 
Henry Beythan, sec 32, Sept21,1863 
Albert II Stoley, sec 32, Sep! 15, 1863 
Joseph Benson, sec 32, Sept 15, 1863 
Alex. McDonald, sec 32, Aug 29, 1863 
Thomas M. Howell, sec 33, Aug24, 1836 
John Thompson, sec 33, March 15,1854 
John Benson, sec 33, Oc1 12, 1850 
Arthur Shields, sec 33, Feb 15, 1856 

Ferd. Beythan, sec 33, March 12, 1855 
Francis Andrews, sec 33, Oct 12, 1850 
Volnev Chapin, sec 33, Oct 12, 1850 
Wm. G. Thomas, sec 33, Dec 12, 1855 
Stephen B. Thomas, sec 33, Dec 12, 1855 
James P. Havden, sec 33, April 14,1854 
F. A P. M. It". R., sec 33, Dec 1, 1862 
Hiram Ackerman, sec 34, Nov 4, 1854 
Joseph llalden, sec 34, May 8, 1834 
John Thompson, se3 34, May 19, 1834 
Francis Anderson, sec 34, Sept 4, 1834 
Robert Thompson, sec 34, May 19, 1834 
William Mitchel, sec 34, May 28, 1834 
Benj Brown, sec 34, Julv 14, 1836 
Thos. M. Howell, sec 34, Au<j;24, 1836 
James 1'. Hayden, sec 34, Jan 30, 1854 
John G. Wickham, sec 34, Feb 3, 18*53 
Silas Wiltse. sec 34, Oct 17, 18">0 
Joseph Wickham, sec 34, March 14, 1854 
Sam'l II. Fitzhugh, sec 35, Jan 31, 1837 
John Smythe, sec 35, Julv 11, 1836 
Thos. McCarty, sec 35, March 14, 1836 
Wm. C Baker, sec 35, Aug 26, 1836 
Peter A. Cowdrey, sec 35,' Oct 23, 1835 
Thomas P. Pierce, sec 36, Jan 2, 1854 
Alexander Russell, sec 36, Jan 1, 1839 
(hristopherHackett,sec36, Oct 21, 1850 
Barnard Hackett, sec 36 Jan 31. 1837 



Many of the names given in the foregoing record of patentees, 
appear on the records of the county, both of the past and the 
present. It is true that a number of the pioneers of Tittabawassee 
have passed to the better land; yet enough remain to prove of 
" what stuff they are made," to continue in the service of their 
country, and particularly of that county which they call their 
home. They have witnessed great changes since their coming 
here, and if spared to this world for a few more years, they will 
witness still more important changes, grander enterprises, even a 
greater people. 

PERSONAL. 



In the following pages the personal sketches of many old set- 
tlers and prominent men of this ancient township, are given. As 
they made the subject for its history, so also will their biog- 



950 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

raphies lead the reader to a true conception of all that courage, 
energy and industry have done to lift up the country from its 
primitive condition. 

Horace S. Beach is one of the oldest and most respected pio- 
ntO-s of Saginaw county. He was born at New York city, Jan. 
16, 1806, and his boyhood was mostly passed in Delaware. At the 
age of 15 years he went to Livingston Co., N. Y., where he sub- 
sequently taught school for 12 or 14 years in different counties. He 
came to this county in 1837, and the same year taught the first 
school in Saginaw City under a certificate or by a certificate. Pie 
was a surveyor, and was engaged in that business more or less 
until 1855. He moved to his present farm in 1849. He cast his 
maiden vote for John Quincy Adams, but of late years has been 
a firm advocate of the principles set forth by the Republican party. 
He has been elected to fill several different offices in Saginaw tp. and 
city, and in 1842 and '44, served his fellow men as county Register of 
Deeds. He was married at Saginaw City, in 1840, to Catherine 
F. Maiden, who was born in Newfoundland, in 1818. Her father 
came to this county in 1834, locating on sec. 34 of this tp., on land 
bought of Government. Nine children have been given to Mr. 
Beach and wife, 4 of whom are living — the remainder having 
all died under 12 years of age, except Minnie, who was 19 years 
old at date of her departure from this earth. Two sons served in 
the late war, both of whom still survive. The children are M. Mai- 
den, a farmer of Isabella Co., Mich.; Charles, a captain, Theodore 
J. and Horace F. , both farmers. Theodore J. was born Nov. 10, 
1851. He was educated in the public schools of Saginaw City, and 
has spent considerable time in saw-mills, etc.; was sailor on the 
lakes for some period; was also in the employ of the Tittabawassee 
Boom Co. for four seasons; is Republican in politics; was married 
Jan. 1, 1879, to Eliza, daughter of James Major, and a native of 
Michigan. 

Henry Bey than, farmer, sec. 28, was born in Germany, in 1839; 
parents were Ferdinand and Barbara (Linchman) Beythan, mother 
died in Germany; subject of sketch received his education mostly 
in native land; in 1852 accompanied father to America, locating 
in this tp., where he has since resided; by hard labor has succeeded 
in accumulating a nice farm of 100 acres; is a Republican and 
member of the Lutheran Church; was married in 1864 to Jennie 
Crosby; of their 6 children, 3 are living — Lillie, Henry and May; 
wife is member of the Baptist Church. 

W. A. Crane, farmer, sec. 24, is a life resident of this county. 
He was born in Saginaw tp. in 1835. His parents were Obadiah 
and Mary (Chichester) Crane, the former of whom settled in Sag- 
inaw county, in 1830, when only one building was erected on the 
site of the present city. His parents were both natives of New 
York. W. A. was educated in an academy at Rochester, Mich., 
and has taught school for 25 successive winters, only missing one. 



TITTABAWASSEE TOWNSHIP. !'">1 

Mathematics is his favorite study. He owns 180 acres of land, 
110 of which are well improved. His residence is valued at 
$3,000, and is heated by a furnace in the cellar. Mr. Crane was 
married, in ls57, to Miss S. E. Purchase, who was born in Ontario 
Co., X. Y., Nov. 12, 1841, and was the daughter of Erastus and 
Laura Purchase (Griffin). Six children have come to cheer their 
home — William E., Riley L., Ambrose, Mary, Milo and Franklin. 
Mrs. Crane is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Crane former- 
ly Jived in Kochville tp., where he was Superintendent of the 
schools. He moved upon his present farm in 1S62. He is Repub- 
lican in politics. 

Hugh Ga/rrett) farmer, sec. 31, was born in Ireland in L831; 
is a son of Hugh and Mary (Williams) Garrett, natives of Scot- 
land; subject of sketch received his education in his native land 
and Canada: came to this county in 1868, and now owns 140 acres 
of land; is a member of Democratic party; was married in 1852 
to Mary Thurlow, 9 children have been sent to bless this union, 
4 (laughters and 5 sons; subject and wife are members ot 
Wesleyan M. E. Church, of which body he has officiated as 
Steward. Wife died dune 21, L881. 

James Gifford, farmer, was born in England in 1831; is a son 
of John and Charlotte ( Cole ) Clifford; subject of sketch received 
his education in England; came to this county in 1805; wasemployed 
in saw-mills for 20 years; since then has been engaged in farming; 
owns 60 acres of land, and is a member of Democratic party; has 
been twice married; first wife was Salenia Allum, who bore him 1 
child; wife was drowned in Lake Michigan, in 1863; second wife 
was Mary Marshall; they were married in L867, and have 2 children. 

Ed/wa/rd F. Goidd, merchant. Freeland Station, was born in 
Canada. Feb. 20, L840; is a son of Seth B. and Julia A. (Crandle) 
Could, natives of New York, who emigrated to Canada at an early 
day; subject of sketch was reared in his native land, and in 1860 
located at Midland, Mich., as general superintendent of John 
Larkin's lumber business, remaining in such position 14 years; was 
in partnership with Sherman Olmstead, in a shingle-mill, for four 
years, and one year alone; then sold out. and engaged in farming; 
in September, 1880, established present business;was elected Tp. 
Clerk, in spring of 1881; is member of I. O. < >. F. and Masonic 
fraternities; was married duly 5, L869, to Harriet C, daughter of 
J. A. and Elizabeth Munger, who was born March 26, 1848; 3 
children. Seth B., Lottie E. and dames A. 

WilUa/m Hackett, farmer and stock-raiser on sec. 36, born 
in Livingston Co.. N. Y.. May 21, 1843, is a son of Bernard and 
Bridget (Murray) Ilackett, who located on subject's farm in L843. 
William now owns 590 acres of good land, and was engaged in the 
lumber traffic over 11 years; was married, Oct. 2, 1871, to Mary 
Keller; 5 children have been born to them — William, Catherine 
B., James F., Mary I. and Jennie; subject's postoffice address is 
Saginaw City. 



952 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Rev. J. II Lewis, farmer, see. 21, was born in Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., Sept. 30, 1827; is a son of Gershon and Hannah ( Yan Yra- 
denburgh) Lewis, who settled in Genesee Co., Mich., in 1836, 
where father still resides; mother deceased; subject obtained an 
education by his own individual efforts, and at 19 years of age 
began to teach school, at which he labored for 15 years; since then 
has been engaged in farming; is a minister of the gospel, of the 
VYcsleyan M. E. Church, and has charge of the Midland Circuit; 
settled in this tp. in 1855, where he has since resided; was married 
Dec. 17, 1848, to Mary L. Surryhue, who was born in New York 
city, March 25, 1821; 4 children have been given them— Mary A., 
William H., Watson A. and Florence E; wife died March 28, 
1-864; he was again married June 15, 1865, to Aurora Jaquith, 
who was born in this county March 19, 1843; subject has been 
Supervisor and Tp. Clerk; owns 93 acres of land. 

Thomas McOuUoch, farmer, was born in Scotland in 1833; is a 
son of Thomas and Jane (Martin) McCulloch, natives of Scotland; 
subject of sketch received his education in this county; owns 200 
acres of land. 130 of which are tillable; is a Democrat and has 
been Tp. Commissioner and School Director; was married in 1848 
to Margaret Glover, who bore him 2 children, and died in 1869; 
was again married in July, 1870, to Jane Garrett; they have 1 
child, Mary Bessie; wife is a member of the M. E. Church. 

John A. McGregor, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 28; P. O., Free- 
land Station; is a life resident of this county, and was born Sept. 
7, 1840; parents were John and Janett (Thomson) McGregor, who 
located at Detroit, Mich., in 1835, remaining one year, and then to 
this county, where they resided, with the exception of three years 
in Kent county, till their deaths; father was a mason, and assisted 
in the erection of the first lighthouse at the mouth of the Sag- 
inaw river; was killed by a falling tree (while chopping) Feb. 23, 
1850; mother died Oct, 6, 1874; subject of sketch has been a farmer 
through life, and at one time suffered a loss of $1,200 in the lum- 
ber business; has been Tp. Treasurer two terms; and is a member 
of the Masonic order; is present Supervisor of this tp. ; was married 
Oct. 30, 1866, to Elizabeth Davinson, who was born in Niagara Co., 
K Y., Jan. 14, 1841; they have 1 child, Etta E. 

John McGregor was born in Scotland, March 23, 1840; is a 
son of Peter and Margaret (Reid) McGregor, who came to the 
United States in 1843, and to this county the same year; subject ot 
sketch received a fair education and was reared on a farm; has 
bet n a farmer through life, and in 1879 engaged in present busi- 
ness; has been School Inspector and Commissioner of Highways, 
and is a member of the Adventist Church; owns 96 acres of fer- 
tile land on sec. 17; was married Dec. 7, 1869, to Atressa Sim- 
mons, who was born in Canada, March 9, 1847; 2 children are 
living — Maude and Raymond; subject of sketch is making exten- 
sive preparations for the keeping of bees and the manufacture of 
honev. 



TTTTABAWASSEE TOWNSHIP. 9.53 

Peter McGregor^ sec. '-'7. was horn in Scotland in March, 1809; 
parents were Alpine and Grace (McDonald) McGregor, both of 
whom died in Scotland; subject of sketch grew to manhood in 
Scotland, and in L 843 came to America with $200 in money; his 
brother had come L0 years previous; subject settled on present 
farm of 232 acres, which he has cleared and improved; has been 
Justice of the Peace two terms and Tp. Treasurer same Length of 
time; was married July 23, 1839, to Margaret Reid, who was 
born in Scotland in 1812.; of their 7 children. 4 survive— John, 
Grace. Margaret and Jane; wife died Sept. 29, 1870. 

Frank McLellan, agriculturist, sec. 13, is a life resident of this 
county, and was born Oct. 10, 1850; parents, Benjamin and Eme- 
line (Ballmer) McLellan, are natives of New Hampshire and New 
York; father came to Saginaw county in 1834 or 1836, and has re- 
sided here since; subject of sketch received his preliminary educa- 
tion in the public schools, and subsequently attended Bryant & 
Stratton's Commercial College of Detroit, Mich.; at present is 
Drain Commissioner, and owns 160 acres of land; was married 
Dec. 8, 1875, to Mary II., daughter of John and Margaret Smith, 
who was born in this county June 12, 1850; they have 1 child. 
Melbourne. 

James A. Hunger, physician and merchant, Freeland Station, 
was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Oct. 6, 182.) ; parents, Daniel and 
Lucy (Agard) Munger, removed to Jefferson Co., Pa., when James 
was quite young, where he remained until 18 years of age; 
was engaged in lumber business several years; in 1870 entered 
into the mercantile trade, the last eight years being located at this 
point; has practiced medicine over 15 years; in 1863, in com- 
pany with John Lee, threshed the greater portion of the grain 
raised in this and Midland counties; has been Supervisor, Com- 
missioner of Highways, and is at present Justice of the Peace of 
this township; is connected with the Adventist denomination; was 
married Jan. 7, 1847, to Elizabeth Crispen, who was born in Jef- 
ferson Co., Pa., Sept. 6, 1826; 6 children — Harriet, Lucius, John, 
Adaline, Emily and Clorra. 

John Munger, an old and respected settler of this township, was 
born in New York in 1820, and is a son of Daniel and Lucy 
(Agard) Munger, natives of New York, father of English descent; 
subject of sketch received a fair education in his native State, and 
in 1858 located in Saginaw county; had but one "grip sack" and 
no money when he arrived, but went resolutely to work, and the 
result of his labors are shown in the 80-acre fertile farm he now 
possesses; is Republican in politics; was married in 1S41 to Al- 
mira Spencer, who bore him 7 children, 6 living; wife died in 1855; 
was married again in 1857 to Sarah Clark, a native of New York; 
have 2 children; subject and wife are members of the Wesleyan 
M. E. Church, in which body he has been class-leader. The 2 
children's names are Oscar E. and Frankie Y. 



954 HIST0BY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

Morris Mulkins, farmer, sec. 23, was born in Otsego Co., 1ST. Y., 
March 19, 1820; parents were John and Sally (Love joy) Mulkins, 
natives of Connecticut; in 1855 they located in Oakland Co., Mich., 
where Mrs. Mulkins died; father subsequently returned to New 
York, where he departed this life some years ago; subject of sketch 
spent his early life in a woolen factory, and in 1849 located in Oak- 
land Co., Mich.; in 1851 he settled on his present farm of 40 acres; 
has been Township Commissioner, and is a member of the Masonic 
order; was married Aug. 23, 1842, to Rosanna Wellman, who was 
born in New York May 15, 1823; 4 children— John, Flora L., 
Rhoda A. and Olive. 

David B. Ohnstead, farmer, sec. 22, was born in Norfolk Co., 
Canada West, March 23, 1818; parents were Stephen and Mary 
(Barber) Olmstead, natives of New York and. New Jersey; 
father died in Canada, in 1855, mother later; subject of sketch 
went to live with uncle when 14 years of age, as his parents 
were poor; bought a piece of land, but had to give it up, as could not 
pay for it; li\ed on rented land six years, and in 1856 came to this 
county; bought a timbered farm at $6 per acre, paying $250 cash 
down; expected to get money of party in Canada, who owed him, 
to pay the remainder; party ran off, and money was never paid; 
subject had only one horse and a few dollars to commence life 
here, but has succeeded admirably; now owns 160 acres, valued at 
$50 per acre; was married April IT, 1814; wife was native of 
England; bore him 1 child (deceased), and died Feb. IT, 1845; 
subject was again married, March 10, 1847, to Mary Murray, 
who was born in (Canada, March 22, 1827; of their 6 children, 5 are 
living— Sophia, Mary A., John B., James M. and Stephen G.; 
subject and wife are members of Baptist Ch urch, and he has been 
Tp. Treasurer; has also been member of School Board for several 
years. 

Franklin Henry Pierce, farmer, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
in 1843; parents are Phineas Peter and Mary (Chase) Pierce, 
natives of New York, father of French, mother of German parent- 
age; subject of sketch accompanied parents to this State in 1856, 
his father locating 80 acres of land on sec. 18, of this tp.; was edu- 
cated in this country, and learned the blacksmith's trade; in 1861 
enlisted in Co. B, 10th Reg. Mich. Yol. Inf., and was along " when 
Sherman marched down to the sea;" was wounded at battle of 
Buzzard's Roost, in Georgia, also wounded in head, by bayonet, 
at battle of Jonesboro, Ga., Aug. 31, 1864; is a Republican; owns 
80 acres of land; was married in 1866, to Esther Hall, a native of 
Michigan; 5 children have been given them — William, Allen A., 
Charles F., Eva >nd Harriet; wife is a member of Episcopal 
Church. 

William Roeser, merchant and dealer in farming implements, 
Freeland Station, was born in Germany, Jan. 4, 1825; is son of 
Frederick and Johanna (Schmieder) Roeser; in 1850 accompanied 
two brothers, Otto and Gustave, to this country, all locating in 



TITTABAWAS8EE TOWNSHIP. 955 

this tp.; subject of sketch lias a good mercantile education; has 
been engaged in business since 1855, besides owning and operating 
a farm; laid out Freeland Station in 1867. and has been instru- 
mental in settling up this village and tp.; has tilled various tp. 
ofKces; was married, Feb. 14, 1851, to Therese Von Vasold, who 
was born in Germany, in 1829; they have 9 children — Oscar, Her- 
man, William. Clara, Charles, Francis, Albert, Henry and Fred- 
erick. 

Mr. Roeser's portrait is given in this work, on page 911. 

Albert II. Stolze, i'armdr, sec. 28, was born in Germany, in ls40; 
parents were John Henry and Elizabeth (Schilling) Stolze; mother 
died in Germany; subject of sketch was educated in his native 
land, and in 1854, accompanied his father to America; he has 
been engaged in agricultural pursuits through life, and now owns 
30 acres of good land; is a member of the Lutheran Church; was 
married in 1865, to Melissa Crosby, a native of Michigan, of Eng- 
lish descent; have 1 child — Ella, born May 16, 1866; wife is a 
member of the Baptist Church. 

David Thomson, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 22; P. O., Free- 
land Station; was born in Saginaw Co., Feb. 16, 1845; is son of 
John and Jane Thomson, natives of Scotland, who located at De- 
troit, Mich., in 1837; subsequently removed to this county; subject 
of sketch was reared on a farm and received his education in the 
common schools; served one and a half years in Co. L, 16th Reg. 
Mich. Vol. Inf., in the army of the Potomac; owns 100 acres ot 
good land; was married in January, 1874, to Mary Olmstead, who 
was born Dec. 23, 1853; they have 3 children — John *W\, Bertha 
C. and Nellie M. 

John Thompson, agriculturist, sec. 27; P. O., Freeland Station; 
was born in Scotland, Jan. 31, 1833; parents were John and Jane 
(Murray") Thompson, who located at Detroit, Mich., in 1835, where 
they remained five years, and then settled on farm occupied by 
subject of this sketch; father died Feb. 9, 1879, and mother Sept. 
24, 1860. John was reared on a farm, receiving a common-school 
education; was Tp. Treasurer two terms, and Justice of the Peace 
one term; is a member of M. E. Church; was married Aug. 31, 
1856, to Sarah J. Pinkney, who was born in Sandusky Co., O., 
F'eb. 14, 1840; 6 children have been sent to them — Euphemie J., 
Mary E., William S., Irene, Carrie A. and Lydia M. 

George Turmbull, farmer, sec. 27, was born in Scotland, Nov. 
12, 1826; parents were David and Margaret Turnbull, who, in 1854, 
located in New Brunswick, where the father died March 10, 1873; 
mother still survives; subject of sketch left New Brunswick at age 
of 18 years, and went to Canada; after three years' residence there, 
he came to Michigan, and in 1852, to Saginaw Co.; located on 
present farm of 120 acres in 1854; received only a common educa- 
tion, and began life with nothing; has made all he possesses by 
indomitable will and etiergy; was married Nov. 8, 1853, to Juial 
Thompson, who was born Mar. 17, 1829; 9 children have been 



956 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

given them, 8 of whom are living — David, John, George, Jar- 
san J., Mina, Thomas, Sarah and Theodore. 

Augustus Vasold, sr., farmer, was born in Germany in 1804. 
He came to America in 1850, and located in this tp. the same year. 
He is now the oldest living settler within the border of tp. He 
married Ernestine Walchter, who was born in Germany in 1804. 
and came to this tp. the same year as her husband. Mr. Vasold 
owns 120 acres of good land. He has 4 sons, all farmers of this 
tp. Henry was born in Germany in 1831, and accompanied his 
parents to this county, locating on sec. 28, of this tp. He received 
a common school education, and has been a farmer through life. 
He is a Republican, and owns 80 acres of land. He was married 
in 1876 to Adelaide Merritt, who has given him 2 children — Henry 
Lewis and George Whitman. Mr. V. is a member of the Lutheran 
Church, and his wife is connected with the M. E. denomination. 
Augustus, jr., another son, was born in Germany in 1834, and 
received a colleg-iate education in his native land. He accom- 
panied his parents to America in 1850, and now owns 90 acres 
of well improved land. "He is a Republican, and has been Super- 
visor one term, and Justice of the Peace 16 years, also a school 
officer. He was married in 1868 to Augusta Van Vliet, a native of 
Germany. They have 6 children — Lina, Ernst, August, Elma, 
Augusta and Minnie. Mr. Vasold and wife are members of the 
Lutheran Church. Otto Vasold was born in Germany in 1S47; when 
15 years of age he began to raise bees and manufacture honey, and 
has continued that business till the present time. He usually keeps 
50 or 60 swarms on hand, but the cold winter of 1878-'9 destroyed 
about 54 swarms. He owns 135 acres of good land; is a member 
of the Lutheran Church; a Republican, and has been Assessor and 
School Inspector of tp. Hugo Vasold was born in Germany, Feb. 
19, 1837, and was there educated. He has been a farmer through 
life, and was given 40 acres of land, by his father, to start on. By 
industry and thrift he has increased his farm to 190 acres, 100 of 
which are well improved. He is a Republican, and has been Road 
Commissioner and Assessor. He was married April 3, 1867, to 
Natalie Huene. They have 5 children living — Charles A., Julia, 
Ernestine, Oscar and Salame; Walter is deceased. Mr. Vasold and 
wife are members of the Lutheran Church. 



ZILWAUKEE TOWNSHIP 

comprised at its organization, Jan. 20, 1854, all the land within its 
present limits, together with a large tract on the east side of the 
river, since annexed to Buena Vista. Within the township proper 
are four villages or settlements: Bliss Mill settlement, containing a 
population of 174; Melbourne settlement, with 315 inhabitants; 
New York Works settlement of 145 inhabitants, and Zilwaukee 
village, containing a population of 915. The township outside 
these centers is thinly settled, containing only 81 people. The 
entire population is 1,630. The land along the river is low and 
marshy. The people look to the great industries of Rust, Eaton & 
Co., the New York works, Oneida Salt Co.'s works, Burt's mill and 
other factories as the main pillar of support. With a system of 
drainage and embankment, the lands could be converted into the 
richest agricultural district in the county. 

ORGANIC. 

The application for the organization of Zilwaukee was signed by 
John L. Richman, P. N. Davenport, L. Wellington, Louis Duprat, 
Antoine Duprat, John Davis, David Johnson, Jerry Davis, B. J. 
Fisher, Jacob Wright, James Barrett, Casper Schulteis, Michael 
Walker, J. H. Schoeder, representing the 41 electors then in the 
township, and presented to the Board of Supervisors. The terri- 
tory to be organized comprised the south half of township number 
13 north, of range 4 east; the south half of township number 13 
north, of range 5 east; fractional section 6, and all that part of frac- 
tional section 5 lying west of Saginaw river, in township number 
12 north, of range 5 east. The board granted the request of the 
applicants Jan. 3, 1854, and ordered that the first annual meeting 
for the election of township officers be held at the office of D. & S. 
Johnson, in Zilwaukee, Jan. 20, 1854; and that the following-named 
persons — Luke Wellington, Charles Danes and B. F. Fisher, being 
three electors of said township — be designated and appointed to 
preside at such meeting. 

The first town meeting was held at D. & S. Johnson's office Jan. 
20, 1854, as ordered. Charles Danes was elected Supervisor; Chas. 
II. Brower, Town Clerk; Charles Lewis, Treasurer; Louis Duprat, 
Commissioner of Highways; Benj. F. Fisher, School Inspector; 
Daniel Johnson, Benj. F. Fisher, Win. L. Marsh, Casper Schul- 
teis, Justices of the Peace; Asher Parks, Henry Flatan, John G. 
Brindle and Jeremiah Davis, Constables; Jacob Wright, Louis 
Duprat, Overseers of the Poor. 

(957) 



958 



HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



The following list embraces the township officers from 1854 to 
1881: 



SUPERVISORS. 



Charles Danes 1854 

Luke Wellington 1855 

B.F.Fisher 1856-'7 

Geo. Lewis 1858-'9 

Alexander Alberti 1860-'l 

Casper Schulteis. 1862 



Thomas W. Hastings 1863-'5 

Jacob Wright 1866-'9 

John H. Doyle 1870-'l 

Jacob Wright 1872-'3 

John H. Doyle 1874-'81 



CLERKS. 



Charles H . Brower 1854 

James Barrett 1855 

T. N. Tabor 1856'7 

N. D. Birdsall 1858 

Casper Schulteis , 1859-'61 

Charles Glave 1862-'3 



F. A. Martin 1864-'5 

Clark C. Butts l866-'8 

S. H. Gould 1869-'72 

Christoph. Kastner 1873 

William Gardner 1874-'9 

Christoph. Kastner 1880-'l 



TREASURERS. 



Charles Lewis ...... .1854 

Louise Duprat 1855 

Charles Lewis 1856 

Casper Schulteis 1857 



Jacob Wright 1858-'65 

Nat. Duprat 1866-'9 

Ernst Wetzel 1870-'9 

Fred. Otto 1880-' 1 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Daniel Johnson, B. Fisher 1854 

W. L. Marsh, Casper Schulteis — 1854 

B. F. Fisher 1855 

C. Schulteis, Geo. Lewis 1856 

T. N. Taber 1857 

J. Wright, Geo. Lewis 1858 

C. Chase 1859 

C. Schulteis, Chas. Glave 1860 

Jerreaus Bissett, J. Wright 1861 

A. Alberti 1861 

James Maloney, Chas. Glave 1862 

Jacob Wright 1863 

Geo. D. Sargent 1864 

John W. Robertson 1865 

Wm. L. Marsh, J. Doyle, H. S. 

Bennet 1866 

Robert Manthon 1867 

Ernst Wetzel, J. Wright, J. 

Dovle 1688 

C C/Rice 1869 



De Witt Valentine, C. C. Cbap , 

pel 1870 

Ezra Lougeor, H. S. Bennet, C. 

Russel 1871 

John Reneke, J. Fleming 1872 

Chris. Kastner, C Chappel 1872 

Geo. Wacker, Ernst Wetzel 1873 

Jacob Wright, T. Shea 1874 

Chris. Kastner, W. Torrance 1875 

J. H.Fleming 1875 

D. Creasor 1876 

John Steele 1877 

Wm. Torrance, M. McPhillips. . ..1878 

Christopher Kastner. . . " 

William Torrance " 

Isaac Turner, J. H. Doyle 1879 

Patrick Ryan, E. Wetzel " 

James E. Sanders " 

Christopher Kastner 1880 

Fred . Ash, J . Pidgeon 1881 



CHURCHES. 



The churches of the township comprise the Catholic, Lutheran 
and Methodist. The Lutheran church is said to be a pretentious 
building. 



A 



ZILWAUKEE TOWNSHIP. 959 

SCHOOLS. 

There are three school districts in the township; No. 1 presided 
over by James Malony ; No. 2 by Joseph C. Bixby, and No. 3 by 
Edward Lambert. The number of children of school age in the 
township in September, 1880, was 503, of whom 374 w r ere reported 
in attendance. The school-houses are frame buildings, valued at 
$8,656. There are seven teachers employed, who received during 
the past year $1,912 for their services. The total disbursement of 
money for school purposes during the year ending in September, 
L880, was $2,981.90. The district taxes amounted to $2,412, pri- 
mary school fund $207.27, non-resident fees $600, and $197.27 
raised from other sources, aggregating $2,981.90. The township 
library contains 422 volumes, including 118 volumes added dur- 
ing the \ear L880. 

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 

TheodoTi F. Casamer, Principal of the Zilwaukee Public Schools, 

was horn in Orion tp., Oakland Co., Mich., in 1S44 ; parents are 
[saac and Prudence (Buchner) Casamer, natives of New Jersey, of 
German descent ; subject of sketch received his education at the 
Ypsilanti Normal School, also attended Eastman's Commercial 
College, of Poughkeepsie, X. Y. ; when 17 years of age, enlisted 
in Co. C, 10th Keg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and was wounded in the 
shoulder at battle of Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864; was dis- 
charged, and re-enlisted again in 1864, but w r as discharged again 
in 1865 on account of wounds received ; was a resident of Genesee 
Co., Mich., for some time; and was appointed County Superinten- 
dent of Schools : was also nominated for Register of Deeds of 
Oakland Co., Mich., in 1876 : came to Zilwaukee in 1868, and ac- 
cepted jpresent position, which he has since rilled; is Republican 
in politics ; was married in 1880, to Jane Chase. 

George Hendry, physician, wasborn in the Province of Ontario, 
Canada, in L838, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Clark), na- 
tives of Scotland ; received his literary education in the high 
schools of Canada, and was a teacher at Farmersville for two 
years ; entered Queen's College (Medical) at Kingston, from 
which he graduated March 29, 1869 ; came to this tp. in 1868; is 
Republican in politics ; has twice been delegate to State Conven- 
tions, and in 1880, was delegate to Detroit to elect delegates for 
the Presidential election ; has been Superintendent of Schools and 
Justice of the Peace ; was President of the Saginaw County Med- 
ical Society in 1874 ; enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice ; 
was married, in Canada, in 1873, to Mary Simpson, a native of 
Scotland ; have 2 children — George David Kerr and Isabella 
Henrietta. 

Frederic Otto, residence Zilwaukee village, was born in Ger- 
many, in 1833, and is a son of Frederic and Frederika (Phulshur) 
Otto ; he received a common-school eduation in Prussia, and has 



960 HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 

served some years as engineer of a stationary engine ; he came to 
this country in 1855 ; is Democratic in politics, and has officiated 
as School Inspector and Tp. Treasurer two terms ; he owns 35 
acres of land, two of which are in the village of Zilwaukee ; also 
11 village lots ; he was married in 1859, to Caroline Hilderbrand; 
of their 10 children, 8 are living — Fred, Charlie, John, Rudolf, Al- 
vina, William, Caroline and Albert. The deceased are Louisa, 
and Abesia. 

Phllo Stafford was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1831; is a 
son of John and Margaret (Orr) Stafford; father native of Rhode 
Island, of English descent; mother native of Vermont, of Scotch 
parentage. Subject of sketch was educated at the common and 
high schools of Ohio, and has been engaged in a saw-mill since 
1851. On Aug. 25, 1862, enlisted in Co. A, 18th Mich. Vol. Inf., 
and was honorably discharged in. 1863. In 186- obtained position 
as foreman of Rust, Eaton & Co's saw-mill, and has been engaged 
in that business since; has full charge of everything connected 
with mill, and has on an average 50 men employed. Was 
married in 1859 to Francis C. Riddle, a native of Ohio, of 
English and Irish descent. Of their 6 children 5 are living. Sub- 
ject of sketch votes for candidates of Republican party. 

Ernst Wetzel was born in Prussia, Dec. 4, 1830; is a son of 
Charles Wetzel, a sea captain. Subject of sketch received a fair 
education in his native land, and in 1843 shipped on board a 
vessel as a common sailor. In 1848 he cruised to America, and 
subsequently to Buenos Ayres; took a trip around Cape Horn, 
and arrived at San Francisco, Cal., May 4, 1850. For two years 
was proprietor of a general store in the mining regions, being 
very successful in this business. Was a miner for 12 years; came 
to this county in 1866, and has since been a farmer; owns 122 
acres of land and property in East Saginaw. Is a member of the 
Lutheran Church, and a Democrat. Was Justice of the Peace 
and Tp. Treasurer for 10 years. Was married in 1866, to Mary 
Ann Huss, a native of Germany, born Nov. 30, 1840; have 6 
children, 1 daughter and 5 sons — Albert, Herman, Ernest, Emil, 
Bernard and Clara. 



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